About

Who we are

The Canadian Journalism Collective – Collectif Canadien de Journalisme (CJC-CCJ) is a federally incorporated nonprofit organization created for the purpose of distributing funds allocated under the Online News Act. The CJC-CCJ was founded in May 2024 by a diverse group of news publishers and broadcasters to promote sustainability, equity, and innovation in the implementation of the Online News Act and regulations. We are not a government agency and receive no taxpayer funding.

Our overriding objective is to ensure that the Act and regulations are implemented in a way that supports the full diversity of Canadian media, including traditional print and broadcast organizations, new, innovative emerging media, and independent local news media. This spirit and substance were reflected in the CJC-CCJ’s proposal to Google to act as the distributor of the $100 million annually that, pursuant to the Online News Act, it is investing in strengthening the Canadian journalism ecosystem.

The CJC-CCJ was founded by a diverse steering committee of news publishers and broadcasters based in Canada, and is now governed by a board of directors elected by our members, representing publishers, broadcasters, and independent directors from across Canada’s media landscape.

About the Online News Act and the CJC-CCJ’s Role

The Online News Act (“the Act,” formerly Bill C-18) became law in June 2023, requiring the largest online platforms to fairly compensate Canadian news organizations for content shared on their platforms. In October 2024, the CRTC granted Google a five-year exemption in exchange for contributing $100 million annually to Canadian news businesses. The CJC-CCJ was selected from among various proposals to disburse these funds equitably across Canada’s news ecosystem over five settlement years (2024–2028).

Where the CJC-CCJ’s Funding Comes From

  • Private sector obligation under the Act: Google is required by federal law to contribute $100 million annually to Canadian news businesses
  • No taxpayer money: No government money flows through our organization—our fund comes entirely from Google’s contribution
  • Independent administration: While we operate within the framework established by the Online News Act, the government does not control our day-to-day operations or funding decisions
  • Precedent-setting model: This arrangement is being watched worldwide as other countries consider similar approaches

The CJC-CCJ’s Role in Setting Eligibility Criteria

We verify that news businesses meet the objective criteria established in the Online News Act and its regulations—criteria set by Parliament and the federal government, not by the CJC-CCJ. Our role is administrative verification, not editorial assessment.

What we verify:

  • Technical requirements (e.g., employment of journalists, original content production)
  • Operational criteria (e.g., content available on Google, serving Canadian audiences)
  • Compliance with established journalistic standards (e.g. operating with recognized codes of ethics, employing professional journalists, and producing original news content as defined in the Act)

What we don’t assess:

  • Editorial positions or political viewpoints
  • Journalistic opinions or reporting angles

The eligibility criteria flow from federal legislation and regulations, which the CJC-CCJ interprets and applies through our specific policies.

FAQ

Does the CJC-CCJ disburse taxpayer money?

No. Every dollar we disburse comes from Google’s compensation according to the Online News Act. No taxpayer funds are involved in any way.

Is the CJC-CCJ a government agency?

No. While we operate under the framework of the Online News Act, we are an independent non-profit with a governing board and staff.

Does the CJC-CCJ decide who gets funding based on their editorial and political guidelines?

No. We verify technical eligibility criteria set out in the Act and regulations. We do not make judgments about the quality, accuracy, or editorial content of journalism—only whether organizations meet the objective legal requirements to qualify.

Who sets the eligibility rules to receive funds?

The Canadian Parliament set the eligibility criteria through the Online News Act and the Canadian federal government established detailed requirements through regulations. The CJC-CCJ applies these existing rules; we don’t create them.

CJC-CCJ Staff

CJC-CCJ Board of Directors

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Raymond Lafond
President and Independent Chair

Iain MacKinnon
Independent Publisher Director

Vacant
Independent Broadcaster Director

PUBLISHERS COUNCIL

Maureen Googoo
Ku’ku’kwes News

Indigenous Publishers

Emma Carver
Torstar

Large Publishers

Paul MacNeill
Island Press

Small and Medium Publishers

Simon Brisson
Journal Le Charlevoisien

Small and Medium French Publishers

Dru Oja Jay
The Breach

Startup Publishers

Sophie Gaulin
La Liberté

Non-Profit Publishers

Jasmine Kang
Global Korean Post

Black and Other Racialized Publishers

Francis Sonier
l’Acadie Nouvelle

Official Language Minority Community Publishers

BROADCASTERS COUNCIL

Cheryl McKenzie
APTN

Indigenous Broadcasters

Scott Pettigrew
Acadia Broadcasting Corporation

Radio Broadcasters

Gabriel van Loon
Van Loon Simmons Professional Corporation

Television Broadcasters

Cathy Edwards
Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations

Non-Profit and Community Television Broadcasters

Amélie Hinse
Fédération des télévisions communautaires autonomes du Québec

Non-Profit French-Language Community Television Broadcasters in Québec

Louis Béland
Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada

Non-Profit French-Language Community Radio Broadcasters

Rob Hailman
Trent Radio

Non-Profit Community Radio Broadcasters

Cal Millar
CHCH

Start-Up and Independent Broadcasters

History of the CJC-CCJ

The Canadian Journalism Collective-Collectif Canadien de Journalisme was founded in May 2024 by a diverse group of news publishers and broadcasters to promote sustainability, equity, and innovation in the implementation of the Online News Act and regulations.

Its overriding objective is to ensure that the Act and regulations are implemented in a way that supports the full diversity of Canadian media, including traditional print and broadcast organizations, new, innovative emerging media, and independent local news media. This spirit and substance were reflected in the CJC-CCJ’s proposal to Google to act as the distributor of the $100 million annually that, pursuant to the Online News Act, it is investing in strengthening the Canadian journalism ecosystem.

The CJC-CCJ was incorporated as a federal non-profit in May 2024 for the sole purpose of distributing funds in a manner that is fair, transparent, and in keeping with the spirit of the Online News Act and regulations.

We are proud and honoured to have been mandated for this critical work.