The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal adds its name to the list of organizations that will boycott Facebook and Instagram on Friday, September 15, to denounce the blocking of news on the social networks of the giant Meta.
This day without Facebook and Instagram is organized by the Professional Federation of Journalists of Quebec (FPJQ) and by the Quebec Society of Professionals in Public Relations.
The mayors of Longueuil, Laval and Quebec have already announced that they will participate in the boycott action.
The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal is also inviting businesses to join the movement in large numbers. “As discussions continue between the government and Meta regarding Bill C-18, it is important to increase the pressure to support our Canadian media. The Chamber maintained its boycott throughout the summer and fully supports the objectives of the FPJQ for September 15. We are calling on all businesses to participate in order to send a strong message during this mobilization day,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, in a press release.
September 15 is the International Day of Democracy. The public is invited to subscribe to a Quebec media outlet and to a newsletter from a local media outlet during this day.
The Canadian Journalism Association, the Union des artistes, the Friends of Radio Broadcasting, the National Federation of Communications and Culture, the Quebec Federation of Workers, Hebdo Quebec and the press council will also join the movement .
Meta has blocked Canadian and foreign news on Facebook and Instagram since 1er August, in response to Bill C-18. There Online News Act was adopted last June and will be in force from mid-December. It requires web giants to pay a fee to the media when they share their content.
Google and Meta could have to pay 230 million to Canadian media, according to regulations surrounding the Online News Act which were revealed by the government on 1er last February.