In response to Canada’s Online News Act, which compels payment for news content appearing on Big Tech platforms, the tech giant said in a submission to the federal government that it wants “clear and firm limitation” on the amount, as well as a definitive number of qualifying news agencies it would have to compensate, among other conditions. (The Logic)

Talking point: The company also wants the federal government to address what it says are incentives, including mandatory arbitration, for news organizations to “hold out” rather than negotiate in good faith with the company. Google is also asking compensation to include non-financial support including products, services and training. It further wants consideration for referral traffic directed towards news sites, which it estimates is worth over $250 million a year. Though conditions might read like an ultimatum, they suggest the company is open to negotiating with the government. (Meta, which also opposes C-18, has blocked Canadian news on its platform.) Speaking at an event in Toronto on Friday, Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge described C-18 as “not perfect” even as she underscored its necessity to sustain the country’s beleaguered news industry.