Over a hundred news organizations received a total of $22.2 million in payments from Google
Google Doles Out Millions to Canadian Media Outlets Under Online News Act Deal
Get ready to hear some exciting news, folks! The Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC), responsible for managing Google's annual payments as part of their agreement to bypass the Online News Act, has started dishing out the dough to Canadian media outlets. As of April 23, 2025, almost $22.2 million has been handed over to an impressive lineup of 108 media heavyweights in the Great White North[1][3].
Who's getting the lion's share, you ask? Well, some of the main beneficiaries are Postmedia, The Globe and Mail, Metroland Media Group, La Presse, the National Independent Information Cooperative, Black Press Group, and The Canadian Press, each raking in over a million bucks[2].
But that's not all! Over a hundred other organizations have scored smaller amounts, with many busting the six-figure mark. These payments account for 60% of the estimated total that each organization will receive, with two more installments expected by year-end.
Now, you're probably wondering, "What's Google's stake in this entire thing?" Well, partner, this $100 million they're forking out annually is all part of a five-year exemption deal designed to help journalism recuperate some of the losses it incurred due to foreign tech platforms[2].
Sarah Spring, the CJC's general director, called these payments a game-changer, stating that they ensure "web giants fairly and justly remunerate information media in a balanced and transparent manner across Canada's entire information ecosystem"[2]. She went on to say that this investment "gives voice to a wide range of people and sets new democratic precedents for media funding and transparency."
When it comes to allocating this year's Google funds, roughly $98 million will go towards journalistic organizations, with $2 million set aside for administrative costs, as per Ms. Spring[2]. Approximately 7% of this amount, about $6.8 million, is earmarked for CBC/Radio-Canada. Broadcasters are set to share around $29.4 million, or about 30% of the fund[2]. The remaining chunk, around $61.7 million, is meant for publishers.
The CJC promises to keep us in the loop, regularly updating the list of beneficiaries and the amount each receives every two weeks[2]. As they crunch the numbers, totals could potentially top current estimates if an eligible media candidate is eventually deemed ineligible, allowing previously allocated funds to be distributed to media enterprises that meet the requirements.
Now, there has been some grumbling about transparency among certain media outlets, with major legacy media companies yet to publicly commit to disclosing whether they've received any government-mandated payments during the election campaign[3][4]. So keep your eyes peeled for updates on that front!
- The Canadian Journalism Collective, managing Google's annual payments as part of the Online News Act deal, has allocated $22.2 million to 108 media outlets in Canada, with some major beneficiaries including Postmedia, The Globe and Mail, and The Canadian Press, each receiving over a million dollars.
- In addition to these notable recipients, over a hundred other organizations have been awarded smaller amounts, with many surpassing the six-figure mark, representing 60% of the estimated total each organization will receive, with two more installments expected by the end of the year.
- This $100 million annual payment is part of a five-year exemption deal between Google and Canada, aimed at helping journalism recuperate losses incurred due to foreign tech platforms.
- According to Sarah Spring, the CJC's general director, these payments ensure that "web giants fairly and justly remunerate information media in a balanced and transparent manner across Canada's entire information ecosystem", setting new democratic precedents for media funding and transparency, with approximately 7% earmarked for CBC/Radio-Canada and the remaining chunk allocated for publishers.
