National

MPs summon Google CEO to testify on blocking news

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Feb, 2023 10:47 AM

OTTAWA - The CEO of Google and other top executives are being summoned to appear before a parliamentary committee over the tech company's move to temporarily block some Canadians from accessing news through its search engine.

They are expected to testify at a meeting of the House of Commons heritage committee on Monday over Google's choice to temporary limit news to some Canadians, in which the company says is a short-lived test in response to the Liberal government's proposed Online News Act.

Bill C-18 would require digital giants such as Google to negotiate deals that would compensate Canadian media companies for linking to or otherwise repurposing their content online.

The committee is also requesting documents related to the decision by Google, which confirmed to The Canadian Press last week it is limiting access to news on its search engine to less than four per cent of its users in Canada.

The summons applies to CEO Sundar Pichai, as well as Kent Walker, president of global affairs, Richard Gingras, vice-president of news, and Sabrina Geremia, vice president and country manager for Google in Canada.

The House of Commons doesn't have the power to summon individuals who live outside of Canada, but members of Parliament who serve on the committee want to take the chance.

Should the four individuals not show up, the House of Commons can enforce the summons if they ever step foot in Canada.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. health minister says system needs change

Dix spoke in Whistler today at the Union of B.C. Municipalities, an annual meeting of municipal politicians, during a plenary on health care. He says the pandemic has seen primary care transition to a disproportionately digital system, creating challenges alongside crises in paramedic services, nursing staffing levels and other areas.

B.C. health minister says system needs change

Man charged after allegedly stealing a vehicle that was for sale by owner

22-year-old Muhammad Mehran Ali of Delta has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, possession of property obtained by a crime, carrying a concealed weapon, fail to comply with probation order and prohibited driving under the Motor Vehicle Act.

Man charged after allegedly stealing a vehicle that was for sale by owner

Provinces scramble after Trudeau declares holiday

While the announcement signalled that federal workers would get a day off on Sept. 19, the day of the Queen's state funeral and of commemorative events across the country, provinces had to work out the details for other workplaces, including schools, with less than a week's notice.

Provinces scramble after Trudeau declares holiday

B.C. study says 80% of kids, youth have had COVID

The study, which lists Dr. Bonnie Henry among 13 authors, says that in contrast, 60 to 70 per cent of adults aged 20 to 59 and about 40 per cent of those aged 60 and over have been infected. The preprint study, which has not been peer-reviewed, was published online on Sept. 9 and says a series of surveillance reports of infections were understating the actual levels of infection by 92 times.

B.C. study says 80% of kids, youth have had COVID

Most Canadians indifferent to monarchy: poll

The poll from Leger and the Association of Canadian Studies also found that while some Canadians are happy about King Charles III taking the throne and others are not, most are largely indifferent to Canada’s new head of state.

Most Canadians indifferent to monarchy: poll

Liberals announce cost-of-living help

Until now, the government has said it is helping through existing policies, such as child care agreements with the provinces and automatic annual increases to programs like the GST rebate and Canada Child Benefit, as well as 2021 budget promises to increase benefits for seniors and low-income workers.