CRTC approves $100M annual Google payment to support Canadian news organizations
CRTC grants Google a 5-year exemption from Online News Act in exchange for $100M annual contribution to Canadian journalism.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced today, October 28, 2024, a landmark decision approving Google's application for exemption from the Online News Act, establishing a framework for a $100 million annual contribution to Canadian news organizations through the Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC).
The Online News Act, which received Royal Assent on June 22, 2023, established a regulatory framework requiring digital platforms to compensate Canadian news organizations for sharing their content. According to the CRTC, the Regulations implementing this Act came into force on December 19, 2023, marking a significant shift in how digital platforms interact with news content providers in Canada.
Under the terms approved by the CRTC, Google must transfer $100 million to the Canadian Journalism Collective within 60 days of the October 28 decision. The CJC holds responsibility for equitable distribution of these funds among eligible Canadian news organizations. This arrangement secures Google a five-year exemption from individual bargaining requirements under the Act.
The CRTC's regulatory framework includes several key oversight mechanisms:
- Annual reporting requirements from the CJC to the CRTC
- Regular assessment of fund distribution equity
- Monitoring of compliance with exemption terms
- Evaluation of impact on Canadian journalism
The CRTC demonstrated efficiency in processing Google's application, submitted in June 2024. According to CRTC documentation, the Commission launched public consultations within three weeks of receiving the application, allowing stakeholders to provide input on the proposed arrangement.
The CRTC has initiated four distinct public consultations related to the Online News Act:
- Mandatory bargaining process evaluation
- Cost Recovery Regulations assessment
- Google's exemption application review
- Proposed Code of Conduct for bargaining procedures
The Canadian Journalism Collective emerges as a central organization in this framework, responsible for:
- Fund management and distribution
- Ensuring equitable allocation
- Maintaining transparency in disbursement
- Coordinating with news organizations
- Reporting to regulatory authorities
The regulatory framework specifies several technical requirements:
- Payment processing mechanisms
- Fund distribution protocols
- Eligibility criteria for news organizations
- Reporting structure specifications
- Compliance monitoring systems
Key Facts
- Agreement Value: $100 million annually
- Duration: 5-year exemption period
- Implementation Deadline: 60 days for initial payment
- Oversight Body: CRTC
- Distribution Entity: Canadian Journalism Collective
- Original Act Approval: June 22, 2023
- Regulation Implementation: December 19, 2023
- Application Date: June 2024
- Approval Date: October 28, 2024