TRENTON, Canada — Google has paid CAD 100 million ($69 million) to use news stories from Canadian media outlets on its platform, the tech company announced Friday.

The payment follows the implementation of Canada’s Online News Act, which requires tech giants like Google and Meta to compensate Canadian news organizations for using their content.

The funds will be distributed by the Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC), a non-profit organization tasked with supporting the country's struggling news industry.

While Google agreed to the terms, Meta refused to pay and has blocked Canadian news content from its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, to avoid contributing to the CJC fund.

Under the Google agreement, 30% of the funds will go to broadcasters, while the remaining 70% will be shared among news publishers.

According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, publishers will receive $13,798 per journalist employed, while smaller outlets, both digital and print, will get $17,000 per full-time journalist.

Paul Deegan, President of News Media Canada, said the funding will provide essential support to Canadian newsrooms.

"This will bolster cash flow for Canadian newsrooms, enabling them to produce more high-quality coverage of our democratic institutions," he told AFP.

Deegan also noted that the deal benefits Google by granting it access to "fact-based, fact-checked content" produced by Canadian journalists.

The five-year agreement exempts Google from further obligations under the Online News Act. The deal marks a significant step in the Canadian government’s efforts to ensure big tech companies pay for using domestic news content. — Agencies