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Claude DeBellefeuille, MNA for Salaberry-Suroît, and Martin Champoux, Bloc Québécois Heritage critic and MNA for Drummond, held a press conference this morning with local media executives to denounce META's intimidation tactics following the passage of Bill C-18.         

Local media representatives were on hand for the press conference. On hand were Jessica Brisson, assistant editor at Néomédia, Chantal Bédard, general manager of CSUR la télé, Hugh Maynard, managing editor of Le Gleaner newspaper, Nathalie Descôteaux, general manager of NousTV Valleyfield, Marie-Andrée Prévost, owner of Viva Média, Julie Voyer, CEO of Gravité Média and Janick Tétreault-Moise and Emilie Niquette, co-owners of INFOSuroit. 

The Bloc Québécois spokeswoman had the idea of gathering all media industry leaders around the same table to discuss Bill C-18. In concrete terms, this bill aims to force the web giants to compensate the news media for sharing their articles and reports. It received Royal Assent on June 22. 

 "I find it unacceptable that a multinational like Meta should attack our local media by blocking citizens' access to their content. In the face of META's attempt at intimidation, I say to citizens: let's go back to our good habits. Most of the region's media existed long before the advent of social networks," she says. 

Bloc Québécois Heritage critic and Drummond MP Martin Champoux is quick to describe the situation as intolerable.

"For weeks now, Meta has been blocking access to news content on its platform in order to force the government to give up on setting up a fair negotiation regime between them and the companies creating the news content," he points out.   

Reactions from industry players

The following are quotes from key players in the industry: 

"Méta's actions towards the media are deplorable and demonstrate their contempt for their users. Like MP DeBellefeuille, Neomedia believes it's imperative that, as a society, we get back to basics and return to our old ways of consuming news. The mission of your local media is to keep you informed, and there's no stopping us. Your local news is here to stay, with or without Meta." Jessica Brisson, assistant publisher of Néomédia Vaudreuil-Soulanges / Valleyfield.

"Faced with META's attempt at intimidation, I say to citizens: let's go back to our good habits. Most of the region's media existed long before the advent of social networks. With this statement, I want to appeal to the unity and solidarity of the region's citizens and businesses: subscribe to our local media's newsletters, get information directly from their websites, download their apps onto your mobile devices and buy advertising in local newspapers. At META, I say respect the law, like everyone else, and contribute to the local press in your own way. It seems to me that adopting this attitude would be much more positive and constructive." Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc Québécois MP for Salaberry-Suroît

"With META's decision to block your local and regional news, an entire community is paying the price. The same community that had developed the habit of keeping itself informed on a daily basis through its news feed. This drastic measure poses a major challenge to democracy, access and the dissemination of information. It is crucial to preserve fundamental freedoms, including freedom of the press and the right to quality information. If we allow META to continue this practice unchallenged, it could open the door to other forms of censorship and information control." Julie Voyer, CEO of Gravité Média

"When you hear music on the radio, in a restaurant or in a public space, there is a legislative arrangement called "SOCAN" that pays a small royalty to musicians and music composers. This is an equitable remuneration that enables musicians to continue producing music for the enjoyment of all. That's all Canadian news publishers are asking of social media platforms like Facebook and Google through Bill C-18: fair compensation so they can continue to publish quality information for the benefit of all." Hugh Maynard, Managing Editor, The Gleaner

"META's retaliation against our media following the passage of Bill C-18 is unacceptable. As owners of INFOSuroit, we would like to reiterate the importance of local media that connect communities, highlight issues close to the people and encourage civic participation, thereby strengthening the social fabric. We join our colleagues and Ms. DeBellefeuille in inviting the public to consume their local news directly, buy advertising in local newspapers and put pressure on META." Janick Tétreault-Moise and Emilie Niquette, co-owners of INFOSuroit. 

"Citizens must have easy access to news from their regions through the media of their choice. NousTV is a local medium whose mission has always been to inform citizens with quality local news. I invite viewers to stay connected to news from their regions by visiting our website directly." Nathalie Descoteaux, Manager, Nous.TV (Cogeco)

"We can't measure the collective impact of Meta and Google's decision. The whole information-sharing ecosystem has been weakened. Given that one in three people get their news from social networks, are we opening the door to misinformation? Are we ready to spend less time on social platforms and more on local media sites, institutions dedicated to relaying quality, verified information to you?" Chantal Bédard, General Manager, Csur la télé - TVC Vaudreuil-Soulanges

"This decision by META, while completely within its rights as a company, confirms what I've been expressing loud and clear since 2016: these web giants are dangerous for our democracy and their thirst for titanic profits outweighs the importance of the common good. It's up to us to stand up for ourselves as Quebecers and Canadians: let's take back the wheel of our news without them as an intermediary." Marie-André Prévost, owner of Viva Média.

Many actions to come  

Claude DeBellefeuille and the managements of the region's leading media have signed a joint declaration of solidarity aimed at encouraging citizens to change their news consumption habits: "With this declaration, I want to appeal to the unity and solidarity of the region's citizens and businesses: subscribe to our local media's newsletters, get information directly from their websites, download their apps to your mobile devices and buy advertising in local newspapers."

As Member of Parliament, Claude DeBellefeuille intends to use all the parliamentary tools at her disposal to inform the citizens of the riding about the issue. 

Starting in mid-September, an insert will be sent to all fellow citizens in the riding of Salaberry-Suroît, reminding them of the importance of local media and encouraging them to get information at source, either via the local media's mobile applications or their respective websites. 

"An intervention in the House of Commons could be made by Mr. Champoux this fall. We won't give up on this issue. For me, this is a very serious issue. It would be sad if one of our local media ceased operations or had to let go of one or more employees. We have to act and make people aware of the situation. People are very attached to their local media." 

In the video, Janick Tétreault-Moise, co-owner of INFOSuroît, reads the joint declaration signed by all the region's media.