Senator Miville-Dechêne: I would point out, however, that Europe has managed to reach a compromise with Google.

Here at home, if we don’t find a compromise quickly and Google carries out its threat — and I hope it doesn’t — Canadian media will suffer significant consequences. Does the government have a plan to deal with that possibility?

Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: Senator Gold, as you know, Meta has blocked hyperlinks to news sites on its platform, and Google recently reiterated its plan to do the same when Bill C-18, the Online News Act, comes into force at the end of December.

Our media outlets are suffering from these decisions. They are less visible and have lost up to half of their users. Many are devastated by the apparent impasse between the government and Google about Bill C-18 regarding online news. Even the organization News Media Coalition has reversed its position and is now calling on the Minister of Canadian Heritage to accept some of Google’s demands in the final regulations that will be adopted. Google, however, believes that the fundamental problems are in the legislation itself.

My question is this: Is the government willing to amend Bill C-18 in order to find a solution to this impasse?