Google will testify at parliamentary committee

OTTAWA –

Google says it will volunteer some of its top executives to testify before a parliamentary committee.

In a statement, the company said it intended to work constructively with the legacy committee investigating Google’s actions after the Silicon Valley giant conducted a five-week test that blocked news links for some of its Canadian users.

The test was designed to assess the implications of Bill C-18, a possible response to the Liberal government’s controversial Online News Act.

A spokesperson says Google will make its president of global affairs and general counsel, Kent Walker, and vice president of news, Richard Gingras, available to meet with the committee.

Both declined a subpoena issued by the commission earlier this month.

The head of Google Canada appeared in their place, but Google says it recognizes that MPs still have questions they want answered.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 18, 2023.