BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter was submitted by Conservative Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard in response to 'EDITORIAL: Your local news will soon vanish from Facebook and Google, but BarrieToday is here to stay published July 5.
Local media outlets across Canada including those in Barrie-Innisfil are loudly warning that the future of local news is suddenly in serious jeopardy because of the impact of Justin Trudeau’s flawed Bill C-18. This disastrous legislation is threatening the very future of our small, local news sources.
Facebook and Google have responded to the Online News Act by vowing to abandon Canadian news altogether. No more links. No more shares. And no more licensing agreements or journalism fellowships, which many, including our local VillageMedia sites, had previously signed with both companies.
According to Michael Friscolanti, editor-in-chief of VillageMedia, about 50 per cent of readers find BarrieToday and InnisfilToday stories through a visit to Google or Facebook. Countless readers are directed to small, local news sources this way.
As Canadian news stories disappear from the internet and local journalists scramble for new ways to recruit readers, the federal government announced Wednesday it would halt all of its advertising on Meta’s Facebook and Instagram.
That’s not a solution to this massive problem, but nobody should be surprised, because this government continually refuses to listen to Canadians and act in their best interest. Despite dire warnings about the consequences, the Liberal-NDP coalition refused to amend Bill C-18.
Journalists — print, digital and broadcast — know Facebook and Google are critical to the success of local media. Conservatives believe we need to find a solution where Canadians can continue to freely access news content online, and Canadian news outlets are fairly compensated.
We offered amendments to the bill that would fix these issues, but they were voted down by the Liberals and NDP because they were determined to side with large corporate media while shutting down small, local and independent news.
A Conservative government will fix the problems created by this government and its disastrous bill.
As an elected official, I fully recognize and appreciate the important contribution that local media outlets make to our community, keeping citizens informed about issues that directly impact their lives and providing essential coverage of local news, events, and stories that might otherwise go unnoticed. Local media not only serves as a trusted source of information, but also fosters a sense of community by amplifying local voices and highlighting the diverse perspectives within our community.
I agree with BarrieToday’s conclusion that the Trudeau Liberals — under the guise of protecting Canadian media from online giants that supposedly poach content — ignored warnings and passed a flawed piece of legislation that will devastate local journalists and their ability to continue reporting.
Bill C-18 gives far too much power to the government to regulate without limitation. I am committed to advocating for policies that promote a vibrant local media and ensure its sustainable future
John Brassard
(Conservative) Member of Parliament | Barrie-Innisfil
Chair, Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics Committee
