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TAGGED AS ALPHABET INC.

Streamers challenge ‘restrictive’ CanCon definitions in audio proceeding

| 05/08/2025 4:25 pm EDT

Streamers challenge ‘restrictive’ CanCon definitions in audio proceedingAs the CRTC works on revising how it defines Canadian and Indigenous audio content, online streaming services argue that no existing methods, nor any adaptation of them, are...

Media companies get $22 million in funding from Online News Act cash

| 04/30/2025 5:50 pm EDT

Media companies get $22 million in funding from Online News Act cashThe Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC) has released the details of initial funding provided to media outlets, from money collected under the Online News Act.  The CJC is...

Google asks court to reverse Streaming Act contribution decision

| 04/25/2025 6:41 pm EDT

Google asks court to reverse Streaming Act contribution decisionAlphabet Inc.’s Google is again asking the courts to overrule the CRTC...

CRTC dismisses WildBrain undue preference complaint against Bell; Rogers facing new complaint

| 03/14/2025 5:13 pm EDT

CRTC logo graphic The Wire ReportThe CRTC decided on Friday that BCE Inc. did not...

Google to cover administrative costs of Online News Act regulation, CRTC decides

| 02/26/2025 5:21 pm EST

Google to cover administrative costs of Online News Act regulation, CRTC decidesGoogle will have to foot the bill for the costs the CRTC incurs through conducting its new responsibilities under the Online News Act, the regulator has decided. The CRTC...

Google refutes Competition Bureau’s claims in ad market suit

| 02/21/2025 2:06 pm EST

Google refutes Competition Bureau’s claims in ad market suitGoogle is firing back at the Competition Bureau following a suit the...

Canadian Journalism Collective announces estimated amounts it expects to pay out

Internet and Governance | 12/16/2024 4:20 pm EST

Canadian Journalism Collective announces estimated amounts it expects to pay outThe Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC) says it expects to send eligible...

CBC expands local news programming following Google news act exemption

Internet and Governance | 11/12/2024 3:38 pm EST

CBC board postings extendedCBC/Radio-Canada announced Tuesday, Nov. 12 that it is increasing its local...

Google granted exemption from requirements of Online News Act

Internet and Governance | 10/28/2024 4:10 pm EDT

Google granted exemption from requirements of Online News ActAlphabet Inc.’s Google will be exempt from the requirements of the Online...

CRTC says decision on Google’s Online News Act exemption expected this fall

Internet and Governance | 10/15/2024 11:19 am EDT

CRTC says decision on Google’s Online News Act exemption expected this fallBy Sophall Duch Canadian media outlets won’t likely see money from...

CRTC launches consult on code of conduct for News Act negotiations

Internet and Governance | 10/08/2024 1:53 pm EDT

CRTC launches consult on code of conduct for News Act negotiationsThe CRTC is asking for comments on its proposed code of conduct for...

Streamers tell CRTC closed captioning on all programming not feasible

Internet and Governance | 08/26/2024 4:50 pm EDT

Streamers tell CRTC closed captioning on all programming not feasibleWhile providing closed captioning on all programming for the deaf and hard...

Google challenges CRTC broadcasting fees decision in appeal court

Internet and Governance | 08/09/2024 2:27 pm EDT

YouTube logo on mobile screen.Alphabet Inc.’s Google wants the Federal Court of Appeal to set aside a decision by the CRTC that adds online streaming services to the list of companies required to pay the...

CBC CEO Catherine Tait not worried for broadcaster’s longevity

Internet and Governance | 08/06/2024 4:25 pm EDT

The Wire Report’s most popular stories of 2024Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has made slashing CBC/Radio-Canada’s...

Corus reports drops in revenue, profit during Q3 as layoffs continue

Media | 07/15/2024 5:25 pm EDT

Corus proposes contribution framework at CRTC, says time to regulate streamers is nowCorus Entertainment Inc. expects to have cut a quarter of its full-time...

Competition Bureau appoints professor as advisor on digital economy

Internet and Governance | 07/10/2024 3:31 pm EDT

Heski Bar-Isaac. Photo courtesy of University of Toronto Rotman School of Management.The Competition Bureau has brought on an expert in economics for a...

CRTC launches consult on Google’s Online News Act exemption

Internet and Governance | 06/27/2024 5:40 pm EDT

Google CanadaThe CRTC has kicked off what could be the final hurdle for Google to be...

Publishers call on CRTC to set rules for Online News Act collective

Internet and Governance | 06/13/2024 10:12 am EDT

CRTC proposes code of conduct for ISPsA consortium of news publishers is calling on the CRTC to make regulations that apply to the collective responsible for administering funds under the Online News Act, saying...

Streamers ‘disappointed’ in five per cent base contribution requirement 

Internet and Governance | 06/04/2024 10:15 pm EDT

CRTC releases described video statisticsOnline streaming services generating over $25 million in annual Canadian...

Google makes Android emergency location service available to all Canadian users

telecom | 05/13/2024 12:05 pm EDT

Google makes Android emergency location service available to all Canadian usersAlphabet Inc.’s Google has unveiled the widespread availability of...

CRTC kicks off Online News Act consultation

Internet and Governance | 03/13/2024 4:46 pm EDT

CRTC proposes code of conduct for ISPsThe CRTC launched its first public consultation on the Online News Act’s regulatory framework to gain...

Champagne second-most lobbied minister, Hill Times finds

telecom | 03/12/2024 3:33 pm EDT

Federal government launches consultation on AI and copyrightMinister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne...

Beanfield appoints new SVP of commercial services 

telecom | 03/07/2024 4:44 pm EST

Beanfield appoints new SVP of commercial services Beanfield Technologies Inc. has hired Chris Adamkowski as its new SVP of commercial services, the company announced Thursday.  “I am thrilled to be joining Beanfield and contributing to the mission of connecting communities...

Election overhaul must include AI advertising, politicos say

Internet and Governance | 12/18/2023 2:45 pm EST

UN sets up advisory body to investigate AI globallyCanada must revise its election rules and the use of artificial intelligence must not be overlooked when making changes, several MPs told The Wire Report. The issue of AI-generated advertising has come to the fore in the United States. Florida governor Ron DeSantis has...

Government unveils final provisions of Online News Act

Internet and Governance | 12/15/2023 5:30 pm EST

Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-OngeThe federal government released the details of the implementation of the...

Blanchet says CBC cuts at worst possible time

Internet and Governance | 12/06/2023 1:48 pm EST

Blanchet says CBC cuts at worst possible timeThe Bloc Québécois is continuing its fight against cutbacks at CBC/Radio-Canada. Tuesday in Question...

Google and federal government reach deal over Online News Act

Internet and Governance | 11/29/2023 7:51 pm EST

Google CanadaAlphabet Inc.’s Google and the federal government have resolved their...

Bell lays out contribution framework proposal at CRTC

Internet and Governance | 11/22/2023 9:13 am EST

Bell lays out contribution framework proposal at CRTCBCE Inc. revealed more details on Tuesday on its proposal for how base contributions from online...

PKP proposes 20 per cent base contribution for foreign online platforms at CRTC hearings

Media | 11/21/2023 4:59 am EST

PKP proposes 20 per cent base contribution for foreign online platforms at CRTC hearingsThe long-awaited hearing on how the CRTC should implement the Online Streaming Act, particularly if online streaming services should make a base financial contribution to...

Satellite ready to integrate with cellular communications: TerreStar

telecom | 11/13/2023 5:11 pm EST

Satellite ready to integrate with cellular communications: TerreStarEarlier this month, TerreStar Solutions Inc. announced it successfully...

AI a potential foreign security threat, Ethics committee tells House

Internet and Governance | 10/25/2023 5:35 pm EDT

Big telecoms fight calls for an ‘ISP tax’, pitch new OTT rulesA Parliamentary committee is calling for checks of artificial intelligence...

Responsible AI regulation needs to come faster, says tech lobby group

Internet and Governance | 09/20/2023 2:53 pm EDT

Responsible AI regulation needs to come faster, says tech lobby groupThe Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is urging the federal government...

Google monopoly trial kicks off, Canada public policy head steps down

Internet and Governance | 09/15/2023 4:48 pm EDT

Google monopoly trial kicks off, Canada public policy head steps downColin McKay, head of Canada public policy and government relations at...

‘WildBrain can’t have their cake and eat it too,’ Bell tells CRTC in undue preference dispute

Media | 09/14/2023 6:10 pm EDT

WildBrain animators taking part in union driveBCE Inc. is arguing to the CRTC that WildBrain Ltd. is “flooding” the subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) market with its programming and “diluting” the value of its...

Canadian Heritage proposes Online News Act regulations, Meta’s not interested

Internet and Governance | 09/01/2023 5:59 pm EDT

New Heritage Minister St-Onge promises to battle tech giantsCanadian Heritage announced its proposed regulations to implement the...

Facebook use remains constant despite news ban

Internet and Governance | 08/29/2023 4:45 pm EDT

CRTC consulting on new radio stations in Northern OntarioMeta Platforms Inc. has not experienced any notable drop in Facebook usage despite banning news content...

CRTC releases Online News Act plan, mandatory bargaining may begin by end of 2024

Internet and Governance | 08/24/2023 5:26 pm EDT

Eatrides era at CRTC starting with new framework for internet, “wait and see” approach for wirelessThe CRTC announced its action plan to implement the Online News Act which...

Fiscal 2024 off to a strong start: Stingray

Media | 08/09/2023 4:37 pm EDT

Fiscal 2024 off to a strong start: StingrayStingray Group Inc. reported revenue and subscriber growth for the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year on Tuesday, adding that early revenue growth in Q2 has already picked up. According to a statement from CEO Eric Boyko, the company is on track to “more than...

Money allocation main issue as Streaming Act replies filed to CRTC

Internet and Governance | 08/02/2023 5:11 pm EDT

CRTC releases described video statisticsBattles over money and how to allocate it are at the forefront as the CRTC...

OPINION: Small independents won’t benefit from Online News Act

Internet and Governance | 07/21/2023 5:38 pm EDT

OPINION: Small independents won't benefit from Online News Act by Heather Wright, publisher of The Independent of Petrolia and Central...

Corus adds itself to Meta boycott

Internet and Governance | 07/17/2023 5:03 pm EDT

Corus expects modest revenue decline in Q4, leaning into CanCon amid US writers’ strikeCorus Entertainment Inc. is adding itself to the list of industry players who are suspending advertising on Meta Platform Inc. after the tech giant announced it will block Canadian news content on Facebook and its other platforms...

Streamers hope to illustrate emerging consensus on exemption orders

Internet and Governance | 07/17/2023 4:48 pm EDT

CRTC releases described video statisticsIn an ongoing tug-of-war at the CRTC, tech giants are arguing that a level...

Feds respond to tech giants’ concerns through proposed regulations

Internet and Governance | 07/11/2023 5:14 pm EDT

Feds respond to tech giants’ concerns through proposed regulationsCanadian Heritage is proposing regulations under the Online News Act that...

Feds, Cogeco, Quebecor, say goodbye to Meta

Internet and Governance | 07/05/2023 5:54 pm EDT

CRTC consulting on new radio stations in Northern OntarioThe federal government, Quebecor Inc., and Cogeco Inc., are pulling all their advertising investments...

Google confirms removal of Canadian news links

Internet and Governance | 06/30/2023 12:00 am EDT

Google confirms removal of Canadian news linksAlphabet Inc.’s Google has announced it will be removing Canadian news links from its websites. The...

Social media platforms want total exclusion from new broadcasting regime

Internet and Governance | 06/16/2023 4:17 pm EDT

TikTok's logo on an iPhone.Social media companies are asking the CRTC to be added to the list of...

Change financial threshold for Online Streaming Act exemptions, CRTC told

Internet and Governance | 06/15/2023 6:05 pm EDT

CRTC proposes code of conduct for ISPsThe proposed financial threshold for exemption for online streaming undertakings in the new Broadcasting Act should be changed, several organizations have told the CRTC. How...

Trudeau says Meta’s behaviour is unacceptable

Media | 06/13/2023 7:29 pm EDT

Blair says ‘no timeline’ on Huawei ban; Bains promises ‘more’ on pricesPrime Minister Justin Trudeau said Meta Platforms Inc.’s move to block news content on its platform is...

Google disincentivized from engaging with Online News Act, company says

Internet and Governance | 06/06/2023 1:56 pm EDT

Google disincentivized from engaging with Online News Act, company saysSpokespeople for Alphabet Inc.’s Google expressed further concerns they...

Facebook blocking threat “unacceptable”, Rodriguez states

Internet and Governance | 06/02/2023 2:17 pm EDT

Election 2019: watch for price caps, Netflix regs, Huawei banCanadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez is not impressed by Meta...

C-18 is necessary and fair, CAB tells Senate panel

Internet and Governance | 05/11/2023 5:45 pm EDT

CRTC consulting on new radio stations in Northern OntarioThe Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) told the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications...

Google, Facebook determined to stop news sharing should C-18 pass as currently drafted

Internet and Governance | 05/04/2023 11:23 am EDT

Google, Facebook determined to stop news sharing should C-18 pass as currently draftedWith Bill C-18, the Government's plan to have news organizations negotiate rates of compensation with internet platforms, before the Senate for review, Alphabet Inc.'s Google...

C-18 different task than C-11: CRTC officials

Internet and Governance | 05/02/2023 4:28 pm EDT

C-18 different task than C-11: CRTC officialsThe chair of the Senate's Transport and Communications committee Tuesday expressed annoyance that as the...

Senate begins oversight of Online News Act

Internet and Governance | 04/25/2023 6:08 pm EDT

Facebook makes Watch video service available world-wideThe government’s Online News Act will not regulate the media nor will it require internet users to pay...

Google defends restricting access, calls for changes to C-18

Internet and Governance | 04/21/2023 5:08 pm EDT

Google defends restricting access, calls for changes to C-18Senior executives of Alphabet Inc.’s Google appeared before the House of...

Rodriguez not worried about Biden lobbying against online bills

Internet and Governance | 03/23/2023 3:24 pm EDT

Rodriguez not worried about Biden lobbying against online billsCanadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez says he is not worried that...

Google promises to restore access to news at lively committee meeting

Internet and Governance | 03/10/2023 5:11 pm EST

Google CanadaAlphabet Inc.’s Google will stop limiting consumer access to news links...

Rodriguez rejects Senate C-11 amendment limiting CRTC power over social media

Internet and Governance | 03/08/2023 8:38 am EST

UPDATED: Senate passes C-11; Rodriguez expects C-11 to become law next weekCanadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez is rejecting a Senate amendment...

Heritage Committee summons Google execs over news blocking

Internet and Governance | 02/28/2023 4:46 pm EST

Google CanadaThe House of Commons Heritage committee voted Tuesday to summon top...

CRTC must hold public hearings for interim exemption orders in Online News Act

Internet and Governance | 11/29/2022 7:02 pm EST

CRTC must hold public hearings for interim exemption orders in Online News ActThe House of Commons Heritage committee passed an amendment to the...

Consultation will be held for exemption under Bill C-18, committee votes down amendment to force negotiation with all outlets

Media | 11/25/2022 4:56 pm EST

Consultation will be held for exemption under Bill C-18, committee votes down amendment to force negotiation with all outletsThe committee studying the Online News Act unanimously voted to include a clause in Bill C-18 that would ensure that the CRTC can hold public consultations regarding...

Tories slow down C-18 clause-by-clause consideration with amendments

Media | 11/22/2022 3:23 pm EST

Tories slow down C-18 clause-by-clause consideration with amendmentsThe House of Commons’ Heritage Committee’s clause-by-clause review of...

Google amplifies its messaging around C-18 through commissioned poll 

Internet and Governance | 10/14/2022 5:18 pm EDT

Google CanadaA survey commissioned by Alphabet Inc.’s Google Canada found that most...

Senator claims privilege over Digital First lobbying letter

Media | 10/05/2022 12:08 pm EDT

Throne speech reiterates rural broadband, web giant promisesAn Alberta Senator is claiming his privileges as a parliamentarian were...

Digital First Canada director addresses bullying, lobbying allegations, made by Heritage parliamentary secretary to Senate

Media | 09/29/2022 2:26 pm EDT

Senators asked to champion net neutrality in comms laws reviewThe executive director of Digital First Canada Scott Benzie defended himself before a Senate committee studying the Online Streaming Act, after a Liberal MP accused the group...

Heritage committee opens hearings on news compensation legislation

Internet and Governance | 09/23/2022 5:56 pm EDT

Heritage committee opens hearings on news compensation legislationThe government’s plan to force social media platforms to negotiate...

Streamers want changes to C-11 while Canadian creators urge passage of bill

Media | 09/22/2022 1:37 pm EDT

Streamers want changes to C-11 while Canadian creators urge passage of billMultinational streaming platforms continue to decry the influence of the CRTC in the Online Streaming Act, calling for two amendments, while representatives of the Canadian music industry say Bill...

Broadcasters want policy direction on C-11; streamers want their algorithms left alone

Media | 09/15/2022 7:51 pm EDT

44.5% of under-30 households don’t have TV: reportCanadian broadcasting executives, from companies...

CRTC approves CISC working group report on location technology

telecom | 09/02/2022 5:06 pm EDT

CRTC approves CISC working group report on location technologyFriday the CRTC approved a report from the CRTC Interconnection Steering...

Google loses patent infringement case against smart-speaker company 

telecom | 08/16/2022 5:03 pm EDT

Google loses patent infringement case against smart-speaker company The Federal Court dismissed Alphabet Inc.’s Google patent infringement...

Quebec class-action goes after Google for $50 million

Media | 07/11/2022 5:25 pm EDT

Quebec class-action goes after Google for $50 millionThe Superior Court of Quebec has authorized a class-action lawsuit against Alphabet Inc.'s Google for...

Scott says platforms may be asked to ‘manipulate’ algorithms for Canadian discoverability 

Media | 06/23/2022 10:49 am EDT

Intent of C-11 is to exclude digital creators: CRTC chairThe CRTC chair has said that social media platforms may have to change their algorithms to promote Canadian content online if the Online Streaming Act passes, despite there...

Rodriguez slams Tories for misinformation on Online Streaming Act

Media | 06/07/2022 3:45 pm EDT

Election 2019: watch for price caps, Netflix regs, Huawei banMinister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez attacked the opposition for...

Foreign streamers wary of CRTC power under Online Streaming Act, CHPC told

Media | 06/02/2022 4:53 pm EDT

Foreign streamers wary of CRTC power under Online Streaming Act, CHPC toldAlphabet Inc.'s YouTube believes the provisions of Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, give too much power to the CRTC to regulate content, the company’s head of government affairs and public...

Comp. laws are too focused on price: Lawson Hunter

Media | 05/16/2022 7:21 pm EDT

Comp. laws are too focused on price: Lawson HunterCanada's competition laws have become too sensitive to price, particularly in mergers, and should instead focus more on the role of innovation and change, according to a Canadian competition and regulatory lawyer. Lawson Hunter, a former senior civil servant involved in...

Tories put forward motion to kill Bill C-18, send “subject matter” to committee

Media | 05/13/2022 5:12 pm EDT

Tories put forward motion to kill Bill C-18, send “subject matter” to committeeConservative MP John Nater wants the Liberal government to withdraw its...

Tory MP attacks government for advertising on foreign media instead of local

Media | 05/05/2022 4:41 pm EDT

ARIN asks Parliament to require ISPs to maintain Whois infoConservative MP Martin Shields castigated the government for advertising on...

Google wins patent infringement decision in Federal Court

Media | 03/07/2022 2:34 pm EST

Google wins patent infringement decision in Federal CourtThe Federal Court of Canada dismissed a motion for summary judgment brought...

Bill C-11 a new bill with no new ideas, and a ‘legal pretzel’ for censorship: CPC

Media | 03/01/2022 5:05 pm EST

ARIN asks Parliament to require ISPs to maintain Whois infoFor the second time in the span of a year, the...

Google says Canada pursuing unique approach to news compensation

Media | 02/23/2022 5:55 pm EST

Election 2019: watch for price caps, Netflix regs, Huawei banCanada’s pending news media compensation legislation is based on key...

B.C. court greenlights 1 of 3 class actions against Google for non-consensual data collection

Media | 02/04/2022 5:57 pm EST

Google CanadaA Supreme Court of British Columbia judge has temporarily stayed two separate class-action lawsuits against Alphabet Inc.’s Google, pending a final determination on the...