The Liberal Party’s stand against Meta died a dramatic death during the federal election, with the party spending at least $5.4 million with the US giant over the last 90 days.
The Grits remain at war with Mark Zuckerberg’s firm over the Online News Act, a law implemented in 2023 that forces Facebook and Google to pay for Canadian news content posted on their websites.
In response to the bill, Meta banned all news from its sites in 2023, sparking a furious reaction from Liberal ministers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canadian media outlets have been devastated by the ban because Facebook represented a major source of traffic for news stories.
The Liberals had pledged to boycott Meta, with former minister Pablo Rodriguez insisting the federal government would cancel the roughly $10 million of advertising it spent with the tech firm.
“We cannot continue paying advertising dollars to Meta while they refuse to pay their fair share to Canadian news organizations,” he wrote in 2023. His successor said Meta was guilty of “leaving the platform to disinformation and misinformation.”
That stand didn’t last long, however, with the Privy Council Office telling NowMedia early last month that Ottawa had spent over a million dollars since lifting the boycott late January. It added that social media “remains a primary source of information for many.”
Now, in the aftermath of the federal election, Meta has updated its political advertising database to include the campaign period.
It shows that the Liberals spent $3.3 million between Jan. 28 and April 27 on their “Liberal Party of Canada” page, the majority in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta.
Mark Carney’s personal account also spent big with Meta, putting aside $2.1 million to advertise with the American company, whose CEO has donated cash to US President Donald Trump.
In Kelowna, Liberal victor Stephen Fuhr spent just under $20,000 with the firm, while Juliette Sicotte, who was defeated by Dan Albas, spent $1,100.
Those candidates were among several who expressed concerns about the Online News Act when asked by NowMedia.
The Tories, meanwhile, also spent big on Meta on a national level.
Their main account – “Conservative Party of Canada” – put $4.6 million into Meta’s coffers, while Pierre Poilievre’s personal account spent $36,400.
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In Kelowna, defeated MP Tracy Gray spent a little under $13,000, while the victorious Albas spent just $701.
The Conservatives, however, had promised to abolish the Online News Act. The party also pledged to “restore Canadian news on Meta and other platforms.”
In a statement sent to NowMedia today, the Liberal Party's press office said: "Mark Carney and our Liberal team earned a strong mandate from Canadians this week and delivered a modern campaign that aimed to reach Canadians — both in their communities and through digital platforms."
More on the Online News Act/Bill C-18 can be found here:
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
