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CRTC Grants Google Exemption to Fund Canadian News

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has approved Google's application for a five-year exemption under the Online News Act. This decision allows Google to contribute $100 million annually to Canadian news organizations through the Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC). The Online News Act, which became law in June 2023, mandates that online platforms compensate Canadian news organizations for content. The CRTC's role is to implement the regulations of the Act, which includes granting exemptions if platforms reach agreements with representative organizations like the CJC. Google filed for this exemption in June 2024, and following a public consultation, the CRTC granted the exemption. Google is required to pay the $100 million within 60 days, and the CJC will distribute the funds to eligible news organizations. The CJC will report annually to the CRTC on the distribution of these funds.