The Liberal government is still spending taxpayers’ money on Facebook advertising – but now it’s refusing to say how much.
The Privy Council Office told NowMedia in early March that Ottawa had spent more than $1 million with Meta since the Liberals abandoned their boycott of the US firm on Jan. 23.
That cash was spent on promoting the likes of the Liberals’ housing policies.
Now, with a new prime minister in charge, the Privy Council Office is refusing to release information about its spending with Meta.
Instead, the department said, anyone interested in how the government spends taxpayers’ money with Mark Zuckerberg’s firm can trawl through a report slated for release at the end of January 2026.
The Liberals have spent the last several years attacking Meta as an irresponsible company that endangers Canada’s democracy.
When Meta blocked Canadian news articles on Facebook and Instagram in 2023 in response to the Liberals’ Online News Act, then-minister Pablo Rodriguez said the federal government would stop spending with Meta, costing the firm about $10 million a year.
He added: “We cannot continue paying advertising dollars to Meta while they refuse to pay their fair share to Canadian news organizations.”
His successor as heritage minister said Meta was guilty of “leaving the platform to disinformation and misinformation.”
News remains blocked on Meta platforms and the Online News Act remains in force. Media experts told NowMedia last week they don’t see that situation changing any time soon, despite the enormous damage done to Canadian news outlets.
Carney’s choice to lead Canadian Heritage, Steven Guilbeault, has previously attacked Meta and other tech companies, arguing that hosting news articles without payment was “immoral.”
Nonetheless, he also has a history of spending money with Meta to promote his political career, including during the federal election in April.
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According to Meta’s own numbers, Guilbeault has spent $28,382 on Meta ads since 2019.
The Liberal Party, meanwhile, spent more than $5.4 million with Meta in the buildup to the federal election in April.
The party has continued its strong relationship with Meta after the election, running numerous campaigns from its “Liberal Party of Canada” account.
According to Meta, that account has spent more than $8 million with the US tech firm since 2019.
The “Mark Carney” account, meanwhile, has spent just over $2.28 million over the same time period, while the “Justin Trudeau” account shelled out more than $3.3 million.
Though the Privy Council Office refused to provide information about the government’s recent spending, it did tell NowMedia that it makes advertising decisions according to “several factors, including campaign objectives and budget.”
“Departments choose social media platforms that effectively reach Canadians and stakeholders, continuously evaluating their performance and adjusting strategies as necessary.
“If Meta platforms align with campaign parameters, government departments may opt to advertise on them.”
NowMedia has requested an interview with Guilbeault on numerous occasions in recent months, but his office has stopped responding to enquiries.
Meta has consistently refused to provide a statement, or a member of staff for an interview, since announcing its decision to block news in 2023.
To read more articles by, and about, NowMedia on this subject, see below:
Despite Carney's comments, there's little hope of news returning to Facebook
'Arrogant and misguided': Liberal government attacked over fivefold increase in Meta spending
Liberals spent at least $5.4M on Facebook ads in 90 days before federal election
Liberals have no intention of scrapping the law that got news banned from Facebook and Instagram
Kelowna MP promises to raise the issue of the backfired Online News Act with new government
Trudeau said he'd never 'bow down' in fight with Meta. But now Ottawa's ad boycott is over
Trudeau said he'd never 'bow down' in fight with Meta. But now Ottawa's ad boycott is over
Trudeau government has put media in 'worst possible position' with Bill C-18, Okanagan MP says
Trudeau government 'trying to control the narrative' with Online News Act, John Rustad says
'Pisses me off': BC government furious about Meta's news ban, MLA says
BC government implores Meta to unblock news as another wildfire season begins
'It's on Meta': Trudeau lays into Facebook during visit to West Kelowna
Liberals have picked 'winners and losers' in the media, Kelowna–Lake Country MP says
Meta's news ban in Canada: screenshots win, local news loses, study shows
NowMedia chief tells CBC about 'devastating' consequences of Meta's news ban
Canadian media outlets have seen 'dramatic decline' 1 year after Facebook banned news: study
Pascale St-Onge warns Facebook it could soon face 'heavy penalties' as feud over news rages on
What doesn’t qualify as journalism in Canada seems a bit arbitrary
CBC News Network's Jacqueline Hansen speaks with Jim Csek, Owner and COO of KelownaNow
