Canada reaches deal, Google to pay $74 million annually

According to the agreement between the Canadian government and Google, the company will contribute approximately $74 million annually to Canada's news organizations and companies.

Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge announced that they had reached an agreement with Google in accordance with the law that requires companies to pay Canadian media publishers for using their news content on their platforms.

CRITICISM OF FACEBOOK

St-Onge stated at a press conference that the agreement was a positive development for the press sector, adding, "It is time for Facebook to explain why it does not support our news systems and instead makes room for disinformation on its platform."

Describing Meta's decision to block Canadians from accessing news content from domestic and foreign media outlets on its platform as "irresponsible," St-Onge drew attention to the fact that the Canadian press sector is at risk.

ONLINE NEWS ACT

The "Online News Act," known as Bill C-18, which became law in Canada in June, requires companies like Meta and Google to pay Canadian media publishers for using their news content on their platforms.

Canadians are currently unable to access news content from domestic and foreign media outlets on their Meta accounts.

CANADA PROVIDES AID TO GAZA AND THE WEST BANK

Canada has announced that it has provided $16.2 million in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that this is part of the previously announced $60 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza.

In the statement, Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen noted that the $16.2 million in humanitarian aid would be used for the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as well as areas affected by the crisis there.

Hussen stated that the aid would be used for food, water, emergency medical assistance, relief supplies, and other urgent needs in the region.

On the other hand, the statement emphasized that Canada continues to call for compliance with international humanitarian law, stating, "The safety and well-being of civilians must be the top priority. Canada continues to encourage all parties to effectively facilitate rapid, sustained, and unimpeded access to essential humanitarian aid for civilians in need, underscoring the responsibility to uphold the principles of humanity and dignity."

The statement pointed out that the $60 million in aid is being provided through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Humanitarian Coalition, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Food Programme, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

News Source: AA