Google head to speak on blocking access to Canada news

OTTAWA –

The head of Google Canada is set to return to a House of Commons committee to talk about the company’s decision to block access to news for some of its users.

Sabrina Geremia has been subpoenaed by MPs and was originally scheduled to appear before the heritage committee on Monday.

But technical difficulties delayed the meeting and MPs today invited him back, while demanding documents related to the Google news ban.

Three other Google executives, including its CEO, declined to appear.

New Democrat MP Peter Julian says he plans to file a motion to notify the House of Commons that the subpoena has been refused.

Google says it is conducting a five-week test to restrict news as a possible response to the government’s proposed Online News Act, which would require tech companies to pay news organizations to link to or otherwise repurpose their content online.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 10, 2023.