Meta to pull plug on news sharing in Canada

OTTAWA, Ont. — Canadians who get their news through Facebook and Instagram will soon have to find it elsewhere.

Social media company Meta warned Canada weeks ago it would end the sharing of news content on those platforms for some users as a test, which it would expand across the country if the Liberal government did not revise its controversial online news legislation.

After the bill cleared its final hurdles in the Senate Thursday, Meta told Canada to wave goodbye to the service.

In a corporate blog post, the company said news availability “will be ended on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada prior to the Online News Act (Bill C-18) taking effect.”

“The changes affecting news content will not otherwise impact Meta’s products and services in Canada.”

Google and Meta have bristled over the bill because it will force them to negotiate compensation deals with news organizations over sharing of links to news content produced by publishers and broadcasters.

The bill has cleared the Senate but still awaits royal assent before it formally becomes law. That was expected to happen Thursday night.

“Facebook knows very well that they have no obligations under the act right now,” Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said in a statement. “Following Royal Assent of Bill C-18, the government will engage in a regulatory and implementation process. If the government can’t stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will?”

His office confirmed it has had meetings with Meta and Google officials this week and looks forward to “further discussions with the platforms.”

Senior Google officials attended a last-minute meeting with Rodriguez Thursday.

“We’re doing everything we can to avoid an outcome that no one wants,” said Google spokesperson Shay Purdy, adding the search company has proposed “thoughtful and pragmatic” solutions “every step of the way.”

“So far, none of our concerns have been addressed.”