Canada firm on online news act, but 'optimistic' of Google buy-in

Google has voiced opposition to the Online News Act adopted in June, but deferred taking any action – including stripping Canadian news from its online searches and other digital services – until December when the bill comes into force. — Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI/AFP

TORONTO: Canada "will not back down" in the face of tech giants' opposition to a new law requiring companies like Google and Meta to pay publishers for news content, Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said Friday.

She added that she was "optimistic" that Google would come around, while Meta continues to take a hard line against the bill.