OTTAWA — The Canadian government has stated it has "no intention" of repealing the Online Streaming Act and the Online News Act. This announcement comes from the office of Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault. Alisson Lévesque, Guilbeault’s director of communications, emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting independent newsrooms across Canada. "The federal government has no intention of repealing either of the Acts," Lévesque said in a statement.

However, this declaration carries a significant caveat related to ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. Lévesque clarified that while there is no current plan to repeal the laws, the minister is not directly involved in the negotiations with the U.S. administration. "For us, currently, the intention is not to repeal those acts… But I can’t pretend to know the end result of the negotiations with the United States," she explained. These negotiations are expected to play a crucial role in determining the future of both acts.

The Prime Minister’s Office has not yet responded to inquiries regarding any potential plans to repeal the acts. The Online News Act and the Online Streaming Act have faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers for several years, as they directly affect major U.S. tech companies. Both laws were key digital initiatives introduced by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration.

The Online News Act requires social media platforms to negotiate revenue-sharing agreements with news publishers for the use of their content. This law has particularly impacted companies like Meta and Google, which have taken different approaches to comply. Meta has opted to ban news content on its platforms, while Google has entered into a $100 million annual agreement with Canadian publishers.

The future of these acts came into question in early August when Prime Minister Mark Carney suggested the possibility of amending or rescinding the Online News Act to enhance the distribution of local news, especially in light of Meta’s ban on Canadian news links. Lévesque reiterated the importance of ensuring Canadians have access to local, unbiased, and timely information, particularly during emergencies.

In August, it was reported that Republicans on a key House committee had urged the Trump administration to pressure Canada to repeal the Online Streaming Act. They argued that this law, which subjects online streaming platforms to Canadian broadcasting regulations, poses a "major threat" to trade relations. The Act is supported by Canadian broadcasters, who believe it creates a fairer competitive environment by requiring streaming services to pay the same fees as traditional broadcasters.

During a recent testimony at the House of Commons Heritage Committee, Guilbeault reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increase funding for the CBC and Radio-Canada by $150 million by next year. He indicated that he expects to see specific changes in how that funding is utilized. "We’re certainly going to demand a certain number of things from the public broadcaster," Guilbeault stated. He added that there would be initiatives focused on investments in local news across the country, with expectations for positive developments soon.