OTTAWA — Culture Minister Marc Miller says the government must have a serious conversation about AI systems’ use of news.
“Having the news cannibalized and regurgitated undermines the spirit of the use of that news in the first place and the purpose for which it’s used and we have to have a serious conversation with the platforms that purport to use it including AI shops,” Miller said.
Miller was asked whether the government is open to extending its Online News Act, which requires Meta and Google to make payments to media outlets, to AI companies.
Miller said it’s not a question about opening up the legislation but of making sure companies are acting responsibly.
Miller was speaking a national summit of AI and culture, a day after a new report said AI systems depend on Canadian journalism for the information they provide users but don’t offer compensation or proper attribution in return.
The Online News Act requires Meta and Google to compensate media outlets for displaying their content, but Meta pulled news off its platforms in response.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 17, 2026.
Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press
