OTTAWA,
ON and GATINEAU, QC,
June 27,
2024 /CNW/ - Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Today, the CRTC is launching a public consultation on Google's
exemption application under the Online News Act (formerly
Bill C-18).
The Online News Act received Royal Assent on
June 22, 2023, and on December 19, 2023, the Online News Act
Application and Exemption Regulations (the Regulations)
came into force.
The Online News Act aims to ensure that online platforms
that make Canadian news content available fairly compensate
Canadian news organizations. The Online News
Act requires the CRTC to set up and supervise the
bargaining framework to support fair negotiations between news
organizations and the largest online platforms. The CRTC is also
responsible for implementing the government's Regulations, which
allow online platforms to request an exemption from being required
to bargain with individual news organizations if they reach an
agreement with an organization that represents a broad range of
Canadian news organizations. The CRTC is required to hold a public
consultation on any exemption request received.
On June 7, 2024, Google filed an
agreement with an organization that would be responsible for
administering the funds to Canadian news businesses and requested
an exemption.
The CRTC is accepting comments on Google's exemption request
until July 29, 2024, and interested
parties can participate by:
- filling out the online form;
- writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2; or
- sending a fax to 819-994-0218.
All comments received will form part of the public record and
will inform the CRTC's decision. The CRTC will work quickly to
ensure that news organizations that responded to Google's open
call receive fair compensation.
Quick facts
- The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that
regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public
interest. The CRTC holds public hearings and makes decisions based
on the public record.
- The CRTC is moving quickly to advance implementation of the
Online News Act. So far, it has concluded two public
consultations on the mandatory bargaining process, undue preference
and information gathering and on the Cost Recovery
Regulations. Today, it is launching a third consultation on
Google's exemption application, and a fourth consultation on the
code of conduct for bargaining will launch soon.
- Google negotiated an agreement with the Canadian Journalism
Collective to distribute $100 million
annually to news organizations in Canada.
- Under the government's Regulations, any news organization that
responded to Google's open call (held from February 28 to April 30, 2024) can join the news
collective that receives compensation.
- More information on the CRTC's activities related to the
Online News Act can be found in the regulatory plan.
Associated links
- Participate in the consultation
- Learn more about the CRTC's regulatory plan
- Google's open call
- Statement by the CRTC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer,
Vicky Eatrides, on the Online
News Act
Stay Connected
Follow us on Twitter @CRTCeng
Like us on Facebook
SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission