Canada Engages Meta in Talks to Restore News on Facebook Platforms
Government officials in Canada are reportedly engaged in preliminary discussions with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, about potentially restoring news content to these social media platforms. This development comes as the Online News Act, which originally prompted Meta to block all news in Canada, has now become a focal point in trade negotiations with the United States.
Background: The Online News Act and Meta's Response
In 2023, Meta took the drastic step of blocking all news content on Facebook and Instagram in Canada. This move was a direct response to the Online News Act, which became law that same year. The legislation would have required digital giants like Meta to financially contribute to Canada's news industry for carrying journalistic content on their platforms.
Meta has consistently maintained its position that it will not pay for news posted on its platforms. To avoid legal obligations under the act, the company would need an exemption. Meanwhile, Google has agreed to comply with the legislation, injecting approximately $100 million annually into Canada's journalism sector. Nearly two-thirds of these funds support written media, including local newspapers serving francophone and Indigenous communities.
Trade Implications and US Scrutiny
According to reports from Canadian publication The Globe and Mail, the Trump administration in the United States views the Online News Act, along with Canada's Online Streaming Act, as trade irritants. Both laws significantly impact American digital companies operating in Canada.
Alisson Levesque, spokesperson for Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller, confirmed that preliminary talks between Meta and the Heritage Department are underway. "We want news back. How do we go there? That's the question mark, and that's why we are having these conversations. We are looking at how to get there," Levesque stated.
Meta's Stance and Government Flexibility
In October 2025, Rachel Curran, head of public policy at Meta Canada, expressed hope during a Commons heritage committee hearing that news could return to Facebook. She argued that the legislation "misrepresents the value exchange between publishers and our platforms," emphasizing that publishers benefit from increased distribution and monetization through clicks.
Curran noted, "We think we are in a very different situation from Google. But that said, we would love to put news back on our platforms, and we are hopeful that can happen."
Minister Miller has indicated Ottawa's willingness to be flexible regarding both the Online News Act and Online Streaming Act amid ongoing trade talks. However, he clarified that the US cannot dictate terms, and certain boundaries will not be crossed. This follows last year's decision where Canada canceled a proposed digital services tax under pressure from the White House.
Broader Cultural and Economic Concerns
The situation extends beyond news, affecting Canada's cultural sector. The Online Streaming Act, also enacted in 2023, requires foreign platforms like Netflix to financially support Canada's TV, film, and music industries. Kevin Desjardins, president of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, warned that shelving this act due to American pressure would deal a "crushing blow" to the cultural landscape.
Last month, concerns were raised that more Canadian TV and radio stations might close if the act becomes a casualty in the trade dispute. In December 2025, 27 bipartisan members of Washington's House Ways and Means Committee urged Ottawa to rescind the legislation, highlighting the international tensions surrounding these policies.
Levesque added in her statement, "The United States Government has made its views known regarding the Online News Act and Online Streaming Act... To protect the integrity of past and future engagements with the US, we will refrain from commenting directly on the negotiations."
As discussions progress, the outcome will significantly impact not only news accessibility on social media but also Canada's trade relations and cultural sovereignty. The negotiations represent a critical juncture in balancing digital platform responsibilities with national interests.
