Decision Sparks Backlash from Canadian Media Amid Ongoing News Ban
The Trudeau government has quietly lifted its advertising ban on Meta platforms, opting to spend up to $100,000 on a campaign promoting the temporary GST rebate, despite ongoing tensions with the tech giant over Canadian news access.
The Privy Council Office (PCO) confirmed that the federal government deemed it “essential” to use Facebook and Instagram to inform Canadians about the GST/HST tax break, which applies to grocery items, children’s clothing, and restaurant meals until February 15. The GST rebate program, introduced late last year, is estimated to cost $1.6 billion.
The decision to resume advertising on Meta comes despite the tech giant’s continued ban on Canadian news content, a response to the Online News Act, which aimed to force platforms like Facebook and Google to compensate Canadian media outlets for shared news content.
While government ads are now back on Meta, the news ban remains, preventing Canadian users from viewing or sharing news articles on Facebook and Instagram.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Canadian media organizations, who argue that the government should invest in domestic news platforms instead of directing taxpayer dollars to a U.S. company profiting from misinformation.
- Paul Deegan, President of News Media Canada, called the decision “dumb as a bag of hammers”, arguing that advertising funds should support Canadian media outlets.
- Kevin Desjardins, President of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, labeled it “the wrong time” for the government to ease pressure on Meta, given the ongoing struggles of local newsrooms facing revenue declines.
Critics point out that Meta’s recent content moderation changes—which replaced third-party fact-checking with “community notes”—raise further concerns about misinformation and online safety.
In response to the backlash, the PCO defended the decision, stating that using social media for government messaging does not imply endorsement. Officials argue that Meta remains a primary source of information for millions of Canadians, making it a necessary platform for public service announcements.
To counter concerns about misinformation, the government has also increased funding for its Digital Citizen Initiative, adding $27.5 million to boost digital literacy and combat online disinformation.
While the government insists that public interest outweighs political disputes, critics see the move as a contradiction—resuming Meta advertising while the platform continues to block Canadian journalism.
The debate over Canada’s relationship with Meta continues, with media leaders demanding greater support for local journalism, while the federal government prioritizes broad digital outreach despite previous clashes with Big Tech.