.

Around the world, governments are moving to correct an historical inequality that dates back to the birth of digital media platforms.

In April 2020 alone, Australia and France both announced plans to make sure Google and Facebook pay their fair share, instead of exploiting tax loopholes while making billions of dollars off the back of original content producers.

We, the undersigned publishers representing the vast majority of Canadian newspapers, call on Ottawa to follow the example of France and Australia.

The situation is urgent, with media companies suffering huge advertising revenue declines because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Other governments recognize the need for speedy intervention. Both France and Australia have set deadlines to have mandatory solutions in place by July. That means paying for copyrighted content and sharing the advertising dollars and data that flow from it.

We encourage the Federal Government to follow the advice of its own expert panel set up to review the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Acts, which recommended similar measures.

The model exists. The need is clear. Let’s apply those principles of fairness in Canada, and do it now.

Respectfully,

Andrew MacLeod, CEO

John Boynton
Publisher
Toronto Star

Bob Cox
Publisher
Winnipeg Free Press

Phillip Crawley
Publisher and CEO
The Globe and Mail

James C. Irving
Vice President
Brunswick News Inc.

Jonathon J.L. Kennedy
President and CEO
Glacier Media Group

Pierre-Elliott Levasseur
President
La Presse

Brian Myles
CEO
Le Devoir

Rick O’Connor
President and CEO
Black Press Media

Lyne Robitaille
President and Publisher
Quebecor