Ottawa announces $6 billion aid package for businesses hit by trade war

The federal government is announcing a $6 billion aid package to support ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø businesses through the trade war with the United States. The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa is framed in a railing on Friday, Jan.24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - The federal government has ended its boycott on buying advertisements on Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.

The Privy Council Office confirmed the government's decision, first reported by CTV news.

Ottawa stopped purchasing ad space from Facebook's parent company in July 2023 after the California-based firm blocked all news content on its platforms in Canada.

Meta's decision was in response to a federal law requiring digital companies to compensate ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø media outlets for sharing their content in the country.

The social media giant continues to block news content for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø users, but the Privy Council Office confirms the federal government spent $100,000 for space on Facebook and Instagram for a campaign launched in January.

That campaign highlights the federal government's GST/HST break on select items, including restaurant bills and children's clothing, which runs until Feb. 15.

This report by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø was first published Feb. 6, 2025.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. All rights reserved.

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