Implementing the Online News Act
The Online News Act (formerly Bill C-18) became law on June 22, 2023. The Act is intended to help Canadian news organizations reach fair commercial agreements with the largest online platforms, such as search engines and social media sites.
On December 15, 2023, the Department of Canadian Heritage published the Online News Act Application and Exemption Regulations, which help explain which platforms the Act applies to and how they can apply for exemptions.
Consultation on Google’s exemption application
Share your thoughts on the request by Google to be exempted from the Act.
Status: Open for comments until July 29, 2024.
Information bulletin
Learn more about the procedure that parties like news businesses and online platforms are to use when participating in consultations under the Act.
Our Plan
While the Online News Act Application and Exemption Regulations provide a path for platforms to receive an exemption from the mandatory bargaining process, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) must still be prepared to administer the mandatory bargaining process and must implement other provisions in the Act. The CRTC has launched public consultations to gather the views of Canadians and interested parties on the regulatory framework.
The CRTC will update its regulatory plan as needed.
2023
Law formulation and implementation
- June 22: Online News Act (Bill C-18) receives Royal Assent.
- December 15: The Online News Act Application and Exemption Regulations come into force.
Winter and spring 2024
Google’s open call to news organizations
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Status: Closed.
Public consultations
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Consultation on the mandatory bargaining process, undue preference and information gathering: This consultation will help implement the regulatory framework for the Online News Act.
Status: Closed for comments.
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Consultation on Cost Recovery Regulations: This consultation will look at how the CRTC will recover its costs for overseeing the Online News Act and how it will calculate and collect cost-recovery charges from online platforms.
Status: Closed for comments.
Other activities
- May 27: The CRTC issued an information bulletin about the procedure that parties like news businesses and online platforms must follow when participating in consultations under the Act.
- June 7: Google notified the CRTC that the Online News Act applies to it and has filed an exemption request. Read Google's notification (PDF, 336 KB).
- June 16: Deadline for platforms to notify the CRTC if the Act applies to them.
Summer and fall 2024
Public consultation
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Consultation about Google’s exemption application: The application for exemption follows an agreement reached by Google and the Canadian Journalism Collective. Share your thoughts about the agreement and on whether the CRTC should grant the exemption.
Status: Open for comments.
- Consultation on the code of conduct for bargaining: This consultation will look at rules for fair bargaining under the Act.
Other activities
- The CRTC will issue a call for proposals for an independent auditor, who will prepare an annual report on the impact of the Act on Canada’s digital news marketplace.
- The CRTC will begin publishing decisions setting out the regulatory framework.
- The CRTC will also recruit qualified independent arbitrators and begin information gathering.
Related links
- Online News Act Application and Exemption Regulations
- Statement by the CRTC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Vicky Eatrides, on the Online News Act
- The Online News Act (formerly Bill C-18)
- Learn more about the Online News Act
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