Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): One of the impetuses for Bill C-18 was a recognition that traditional media were really struggling in the face of changing circumstances and that the giants — two of whom you mentioned — were benefiting without contributing their fair share.

The government was always aware that the tech giants would use their market force to try to bully Canada and try to impede our ability to have them sit down and negotiate fair deals with both big and small media outlets in Canada. They are doing exactly what their nature seems to be doing, and the Government of Canada remains committed that it’s doing the right thing for Canada and will continue to do so in the face of the bullying tactics of big tech.