The CJC-CCJ has had the privilege of working with hundreds of news organizations across Canada during this first year of funding under the Online News Act. Canadian and Indigenous newsrooms are doing essential work in their communities and we’re proud to help ensure they receive fair compensation.
It’s been inspiring to see this groundbreaking settlement with Google begin to deliver real support: over 450 news businesses have been verified as eligible, with $55M already disbursed.
See the list of recipients to date
As we prepare for final Year 1 payments and launch a streamlined application for Year 2, here’s what you need to know.
–The CJC-CCJ team
Key Dates to Remember
- Review of eligible newsroom hours by Ernst & Young: August 2025
- Final Settlement Year 1 Payment: September 2025
- Year 2 – Info Sessions (English): September 3 & 4, 2025
- Application Portal for Settlement Year 2 – Non-Indigenous applicants: September 9 to October 3, 2025
- Application Portal for Settlement Year 2– Indigenous applicants: September 16 to October 16, 2025
- Settlement Year 2 Payments Disbursed: Winter 2026
What You Need to Know About the Ernst & Young Review
Independent auditors Ernst & Young are currently reviewing the employee hours submitted by eligible newsrooms. This audit determines the final dollar-per-hour rate for Year 1, based on the total verified hours across all recipients.
What this means for you
Your final payment — to be issued in September — will bring your total funding to the full amount you’re entitled to for this year. No third payment will be required.
Why it matters
The Online News Act requires the full $98M annual fund to be distributed fairly based on each organization’s investment in producing news. Once verified hours for all newsrooms are confirmed, the funding is allocated equitably.
New Application Process for Settlement Year 2
We’ve streamlined the application process based on your feedback.
What’s new:
- A secure online application portal with individual logins
- Real-time status updates and notifications
- Eligibility verification and eligible hours review take place simultaneously
- All eligibility decisions (eligible or ineligible) are sent simultaneously
- One single payment per successful applicant (winter 2026)
- Clear and timely appeal process for ineligible applicants
Get ready:
Join our info sessions on September 3 & 4 to walk through the updated application process and updated requirements.
👉 Register now :
📰 Publishers – September 3, 1:00–2:30pm ET
📻 Broadcasters – September 4, 1:00–2:30pm ET
Sessions will be recorded; if you cannot attend live, please register anyway and a recording will be shared with you.
👤 Meet Our Team
We’ve expanded our team to better support the Canadian news ecosystem:
- Sarah Spring, Executive Director
- Laura Dunn, Programs Director
- Gabrielle Brassard-Lecours, Media Community Director
- Gina Badger, Operations Manager
- Hugo Prévost, Verification Manager
About the Online News Act and the CJC-CCJ’s role
The Online News Act (formerly Bill C-18) became law in June 2023, requiring major digital platforms to compensate Canadian news organizations. In October 2024, the CRTC granted Google a five-year exemption in exchange for a $100 million annual contribution. The CJC-CCJ was selected—among multiple proposals—to distribute these funds fairly across Canada’s news ecosystem over five Settlement Years (2024–2029).
Stay Connected
For ongoing updates about deadlines, funding policies, and program improvements:
📩 Email us : info@cjc-ccj.ca
▶️ Follow us : linkedin.com/company/cjc-ccj/
🌐 Visit : cjc-ccj.ca
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