Warnings of a Googlepocalypse

From: POLITICO Ottawa Playbook - Thursday Nov 09,2023 11:01 am
Presented by Team SkyGuardian Canada: A daily look inside Canadian politics and power.
Nov 09, 2023 View in browser
 
Ottawa Playbook

By Kyle Duggan

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Thanks for reading Ottawa Playbook. Let's get into it.

In today's edition:

→ Political pressure builds for a media bailout on the heels of layoffs in Quebec.

→ Small media companies gave Ottawa an earful this summer on C-18.

→ Building a border wall with Canada just became a 2024 talking point.

DRIVING THE DAY

People pass by a booth with a Google sign.

The countdown clock is ticking on the Liberal government's Online News Act. | Tobias Schwartz/AFP/Google

DOWN TO THE WIRE — As Heritage Minister PASCALE ST-ONGE stares down the clock, with just 40 days left until the Online News Act springs to life, pressure is turning up for a media bailout.

The Bloc called this week for a C$50 million media bailout fund on the heels of 547 job losses at TVA, with MP MARTIN CHAMPOUX calling it one of the “darkest days” for the TV industry and arguing C-11 and C-18 will not be enough to help struggling media companies.

Asked by a reporter Wednesday about whether he supports the idea of a financial bandage, Industry Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE was non-committal. But he did say he’s “very concerned,” has discussed it with St-Onge and is meeting with various groups … naming none.

St-Onge has maintained that backing down is out of the question and has insisted that Ottawa and Google can still reach an agreement over the controversial Online News Act that has the tech giant warning it will follow in Meta’s footsteps by ending news sharing.

“We need to give time to certain legislative measures that were adopted last spring, which are in the implementation phase,” she told reporters in French earlier this week.

Google has made its lines in the sand clear, such as implementing a firm liability cap and offering an idea of how many news businesses the law covers.

— A little help from my friends: Documents obtained by POLITICO through an Access-to-Information request shows that back in the spring, before the bill was passed, the government sought advice from Spain to “plan for contingencies” in its standoff with big tech.

That country has tussled with Google in the past over a new copyright law, which set fees for news aggregators and led to the search giant closing Google News in Spain from 2014 until fairly recently.

Canadian Heritage official SARAH KEATING wrote in an email to the Spanish government’s intellectual property division that Ottawa’s own research “suggests that larger and smaller publishers were differently impacted by Google's removal of news” there, asking for confirmation if that was the case.

She asked for “any advice for our upcoming engagement with Meta and Google” given the “pressure the platforms are putting against our legislation.”

The documents did not disclose what advice, if any, Spain provided.

 

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— Multiple warnings: The documents show that numerous digital news startups and freelancers wrote to Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU and Canadian Heritage over the summer, warning the Online News Act could spell doom and gloom for their industry due to the reactions from the two big tech firms that the law covers.

The warnings that small companies were buckling up for layoffs came as the Trudeau administration was doubling down on the measures, designed to throw a lifeline to a struggling industry.

“Between Google and Meta announcing their intention to exit news, we now expect a catastrophic 60 percent reduction in traffic,” Zoomer media’s Chief Operating Officer OMRI TINTPULVER wrote to the prime minister’s office and heritage officials in July. “Jobs are going to be lost. Soon. Entire divisions may also be lost.”

Zoomer Media, which reaches upwards of 10 million Canadians a month through its digital platforms that include blogTO and the Daily Hive, and holds conventional broadcast platforms as well, asked Ottawa to redirect the money from the government’s halted marketing ad buys with Meta and Google toward publishers feeling the pinch.

Back in mid-June, Village Media’s CEO JEFF ELGIE warned the prime minister in a letter that losing both Facebook and Google news will “most certainly devastate what has otherwise been a thriving ‘new’ media sector.”

ERIN MILLAR, CEO of Indiegraf, a network of more than 100 small news organizations and startups, wrote to the PMO in mid-June warning the legislation could cause an “existential event for many local newsrooms across Canada.”

“Removing Canadian news content from these platforms will raise the barrier to entry for start-ups and chill news innovation, development and investment. It will harm small and Indigenous news businesses, and distort the playing field.”

Smaller the player, the bigger the pain: Canadian illustrator CHELSEA O'BYRNE wrote to Trudeau in mid-July that her main way of finding new clients is through her illustrations for mainstream media companies getting shared over social media.

“Bill C-18 suggests that our government leaders are deeply unaware of the role that social media plays in today's freelance economy. This bill is going to make it virtually impossible for freelancers like me to continue finding new clients while residing in Canada.”

GABRIEL RAMIREZ, who co-founded The Bridge Canada, a small independent news outlet aimed at immigrants from Latin America, called for the bill to be repealed in a public consultation, writing that Meta’s exit from Canadian news is “killing us” as “nobody is reaching or watching our videos.”

What’s next: The waiting game. St-Onge has said she’s looking at what the government can do to “further support” media in “this transition period.” Bureaucrats will meanwhile hammer out final regulations for the law with six weeks left on the clock.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

The itineraries for the PM and deputy prime minister had yet to be released before the 6 a.m. send of this newsletter.

9:45 a.m. NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH, alongside labor leaders, holds a media avail on supporting Canadian workers.

10:30 a.m. Governor General MARY SIMON will preside over a ceremony at Rideau Hall to present 62 meritorious service decorations to recipients, three of whom are due to receive such awards for the second time.

11 a.m. Labour Minister SEAMUS O'REGAN will take media questions after the introduction of legislation to amend the Canada Labour Code.

1 p.m. Foreign Minister MELANIE JOLY holds a virtual presser to talk about her trip to Japan for the G-7 meet.

4:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. AT) Public Safety Minister DOMINIC LEBLANC hosts a fundraiser at a golf club in Moncton, N.B., for his Beauséjour riding association.

8:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. PT) Joly is in Vancouver for a Laurier Club reception at Capo & The Spritz.

2024 WATCH

From left, Republican presidential candidates Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Tim Scott are seen shortly before taking part in the third 2024 Republican presidential primary debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.

Republican presidential candidates Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and Tim Scott before taking part in the third 2024 Republican presidential primary debate in Miami. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

OFF THE WALL — Building a border wall with Canada just became a 2024 talking point.

Republican presidential candidate VIVEK RAMASWAMY vowed during last night’s GOP debate that he would get tough on illegal drug imports not just from Mexico but from up north as well.

“The other thing that hasn't been discussed is the northern border,” he said at the tail end of his reply to a question on what candidates would do to counter cross-border fentanyl trafficking.

The full clip: “I'm the only candidate on this stage, as far as I'm aware, who has actually visited the northern border. There was enough fentanyl that was captured just on the northern border last year to kill three million Americans. So, we’ve got to just skate to where the puck is going, not just where the puck is. Don't just build the wall — build both walls.”

The context: As CBC’s KATIE SIMPSON and ALEX PANETTA report, his unprompted mention of toughening up the U.S.-Canada border comes as “bombing drug labs in Mexico has become an increasingly popular idea in his party, along with building a wall along the southern U.S. border. But Ramaswamy said these policies don't go far enough.”

The first-time candidate and entrepreneur brought an aggressive stage presence,swinging hard at several candidates. He’s lagging in the polls, though, after enjoying a surge earlier this fall.

— Watch: Highlights from the third GOP debate, in 3 minutes.

— Related reading: POLITICO’s got you covered with key moments and the big takeaway: former U.N. Ambassador NIKKI HALEY duked it out with everyone on stage as she fought for the No. 2 slot in the race. DONALD TRUMP’s take on the debate:YAWN.

For your radar


REPORTS AND STUDIES — Hot off the House of Commons presses this week:

— From the MPs on the international trade committee: The ArriveCAN digital tool: Impacts on certain Canadian sectors.

— From the House status of women committee: Let’s talk about it, period: Achieving menstrual equity in Canada.

— From the MPs on the public accounts committee: Chronic homelessness and also a study on systemic barriers at Correctional Services Canada.

— From the House science and research committee: The role and contribution of citizen scientists.

— And, finally, via the House agriculture committee: Stewards of the land: Examining Canadian agriculture’s environmental contribution.

 

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MEDIA ROOM

DAVID THURTON of CBC News reports: Liberals set to table anti-scab labour legislation.

— The Star's ROBERT BENZIE reports on last night's Ontario Liberal leadership debate. He flags: "The race could be jolted Thursday at Queen’s Park when two candidates — Liberal MPs YASIR NAQVI (Ottawa Centre) and NATE ERSKINE-SMITH (Beaches-East York) — hold a joint press conference at noon."

TIFFANY CRAWFORDwrites in the Vancouver Sun that India is asking Canada to step up security for Air India flights.

The prime minister is pleading for a stop to the “terrifying” and "unacceptable" rise in hate in the country over the Israel-Hamas war, RACHEL AIELLO reports for CTV.

— CP’s JEREMY SIMES reports Saskatchewan earmarked C$765,000 for the promotional pavilion at the upcoming COP28 climate conference in Dubai.

— Fresh on MICHELLE REMPEL GARNER’s substack: “Your ex used AI to create intimate images of you, and sent them to your friends. It might not be illegal.”

— The great Quebec tuition debate continues with cries that the FRANÇOIS LEGAULT government is twisting facts, writes ANDY RIGA.

IAN BRODIE, former chief of staff to PM STEPHEN HARPER, argues three big policy trends are “displacing the social justice agenda” from the political arena.

— Economist ARMINE YALNIZYAN in the pages of the Star comparing Alberta’s CPP exit plans to Brexit.

DAVID DAWSON writes in Guelph Today the OPP is vowing to “do a better job of policing its social media accounts” after posting partisan content.

— Finally, top story on POLITICO on Wednesday: NICK TAYLOR-VAISEY was there when Ambassador DAVID COHEN opened up on “scary” 2024 polling.

PLAYBOOKERS


Birthdays: HBD to trivia buff KEVIN BOSCH of Sandstone Group and former Liberal MP BOB NAULT.

Send birthdays to ottawaplaybook@politico.com.

Spotted: The PM rolling up his sleeves for a jab ahead of the federal health minister getting vaccinated later today.

Conservative MPs RYAN WILLIAMS and MARTY MORANTZ twirling their translation earpieces in unison at one point during Wednesday QP.

Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE exposed in the House as a lefty (writing with his left hand — obviously not the other kind).

Health Minister MARK HOLLAND munching on an apple while talking to reporters … but with none of the good fortune or attention that move brought Poilievre. “It’s not in season, so it’s not great,” Holland said. “Better than a cookie, you know.”

Quebec government comms linesaccidentally finding their way into the inbox of Radio-Canada’s MATHIEU GOHIER.

MIKE MOFFATT’s name becoming the new NIMBY bogeyman.

BC United MLA ELENORE STURKO putting pen to paper to pressure Mental Health and Addictions Minister YA’ARA SAKS to review federal funding that might have supported any “illegal activities associated” with the activist group Drug User Liberation Front that’s admitted to distributing illegal drugs in a harm-reduction effort.

Movers and shakers: PAUL MYERS has been appointed the new chair of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers’ board of directors.Tourism Minister SORAYA MARTINEZ FERRADA and Winnipeg South MP TERRY DUGUID will co-chair the Liberal Party’s national campaign committee in the next election. Last election cycle it was MPs MÉLANIE JOLY and NAVDEEP BAINS.

Media mentions: Former MP JOHN GORMLEY is stepping away from his radio show after more than two decades on the air.

Honest Talk podcast co-founders JENNIFER STEWART and CATHERINE CLARK launching a new digital platform under the same brand, with Abacus Data content in the works.

 

PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW.

 
 
PROZONE

Former President Donald Trump acknowledges attendees after speaking at an event.

Former President Donald Trump acknowledges attendees after speaking at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit in Kissimmee, Fla., on Nov. 4, 2023. | Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP

If you’re a , don’t miss our latest policy newsletter from SUE ALLAN and ZI-ANN LUM: About Trump’s 10 percent tariff.

In other Pro headlines:

Eastern grid vulnerable to forced outages this winter: NERC warns.

How an oil giant sought to green its image before a high-stakes climate summit.

Pro Analysis: What you need to know about Digital Services Taxes. 

Young voters, abortion backers help propel Ohio weed win.

How Ukraine advocates are hoping to win the aid messaging battle.

 

A message from Team SkyGuardian Canada:

Learn about the remotely piloted multi-mission aircraft built on Canadian industrial partnerships to deliver sovereignty and security for Canada.

 
On the Hill


8:15 a.m. The House agriculture committee will meet to continue its study on electronic logging device requirements and animal transport.

8:30 a.m. The Canadian Climate Institute opens its annual conference, Building Momentum Toward Net Zero, at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa. Environment Minister STEVEN GUILBEAULT and Energy Minister JONATHAN WILKINSON are on the agenda.

9 a.m. The Senate agriculture and forestry will dig into its study on soil health some more.

9 a.m. Nunavut Tunngavik VP PAUL IRNGAUT will beam into the Senate fisheries committee’s study on Canada’s seal population and its impact on fisheries.

9 a.m. The Senate internal economy committee has a meeting in its books and an “agenda to follow.”

9:15 a.m. The Senate energy committee will meet to study Bill S-14.

11 a.m. Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner JERRY DEMARCO will be a witness at the House environment committee to brief MPs in the company of a phalanx of department officials.

11 a.m. The House finance committee will meet to continue its study probing policy decisions and market forces that have spiked housing costs in Canada.

11:30 a.m. The Senate banking committee will meet to hear from the Canadian Bankers Association’s head economist, ALEX CIAPPARA.

11:30 a.m. The Senate social affairs committee will meet to take Bill C-35 through clause-by-clause consideration.

11:45 p.m. Bill S-231 will be up for discussion at the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee.

12 p.m. (9 a.m. PT) Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor CAROLYN ROGERS will deliver a speech at Advocis Vancouver.

3:30 p.m. MPs on the House citizenship and immigration committee will hear from migrant worker ELIAS ANAVISCA as part of their study on closed work permits and temporary foreign workers.

3:30 p.m. Bill C-27 is up for study at the House industry committee.

3:30 p.m. The House Indigenous and northern affairs committee will meet to continue its study of Bill C-53.

3:30 p.m. The House veterans affairs committee will continue its study on the experience of women veterans.

Behind closed doors: The House fisheries committee will meet to review a draft report of the study on foreign ownership and corporate concentration of fishing licences; the Senate foreign affairs committee will meet to discuss details of its study on Canada’s interests and engagement in Africa.

TRIVIA

Wednesday’s answer: MP JAMES FULTON dropped a dead salmon on BRIAN MULRONEY’s desk in the House on Oct. 16, 1985. Apparently, he had it hidden in his pants as he entered the chamber. (For the record, the PM was away.)

Props to ANIL HANDA, JOHN DILLON, DOUG RICE, AMY BOUGHNER, DON NEWMAN, NATHAN FUNG, SCOTT LOHNES and JOANNA PLATER. 

Today’s question: Who designed the Memorial Chamber on Parliament Hill? Take a virtual tour. For bonus marks: Who designed the stained-glass windows there?

Send your answer to ottawaplaybook@politico.com

Want to grab the attention of movers and shakers on Parliament Hill? Want your brand in front of a key audience of Ottawa influencers? Playbook can help. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com

Playbook wouldn’t happen without: POLITICO Canada editor Sue Allan, Luiza Ch. Savage and Emma Anderson.

 

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