CRTC Grants Google Exemption to Support Canadian News
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has granted Google a five-year exemption from the Online News Act, allowing the company to contribute $100 million annually to Canadian news organizations. This decision follows Google's application for exemption in June 2024, which was subject to a public consultation process initiated by the CRTC. The funds will be distributed through the Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC), which will report annually to the CRTC. The Online News Act, which became law in June 2023, aims to ensure fair compensation for Canadian news organizations by online platforms that distribute their content. The CRTC's role involves overseeing the implementation of the Act's regulations, which include provisions for exemption requests by online platforms that reach agreements with organizations representing a wide range of Canadian news outlets.