Proposed regulations to implement the Online News Act were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I for a 30-day public consultation period beginning on Saturday, September 2, 2023 and ending on Thursday, October 2, 2023 at 11:59pm EST.
The proposed regulations provide clarity on which platforms are subject to the Act and greater certainty on what they need to do to obtain an exemption from the mandatory bargaining process. To obtain an exemption, platforms must enter into agreements supporting the diverse production of Canadian news in communities across Canada. The total value of agreements must meet a certain threshold in order to qualify for an exemption.
The government welcomes the participation of businesses, academics, civil society and all Canadians. Following the public consultation, the final regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. Once finalized, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will be bound by the regulations.
