April 3, 2023 Leo Housakos, Senator for Quebec (Wellington) Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications Leo.Housakos@sen.parl.gc.ca Re: Bill C-18 Online News Act Dear Senator Housakos, On behalf on Metroland Media Group and our parent, Torstar Corporation, I am writing to ask to be included as a witness when the Senate committee begins its consider ation of C- 18. Our company and our readers are very supportive of the legislation, and we have a unique and very local perspective to share on the legislation.

Metroland Media Group has experience with the global tech platforms utilization of news content and the impact on our local journalists and our ability to cover local news. Our news organizations require revenue to continue operating and retaining talent. Operating revenue has been declining, especially since the pandemic, and the tech platforms have not fairly compensated news organizations, including Metroland for our content. The news industry has gone through fundamental changes, and local news organizations have been the most affected.

Our perspective on why Bill C -18 is needed and how it ca n benefit our local businesses as well as the news industry in general is the reason the Senate Committee should include Metroland as a witness for the upcoming study into the Online News Act. Metroland Media Group is one of the most awarded local media o rganizations in North America with more than weekly and six daily newspapers.

With our local offices, we are deeply invested in our local communities and businesses, and believe local journalists who produce this content, for municipal and regional Cana dian audiences should be fairly compensated for their work. However, this is under threat as Facebook and Google have built monopolies that ensure that they can control who sees content, including local news content, and how it is monetized. Platforms not only control content discoverability but sees a growing number of users who regularly get their news on social media platforms.

This is demonstrated by the graphic below and highlights the various social media platforms to utilize news content on their platforms. The change in the news industry that sees social media users getting their news from platforms poses a further risk to local news organizations, who have no choice but to rely on these platforms to promote their content. We ask that you conduct a swift study and passage of Bill C-18, considering the impacts the Online News Act could have on local news media, and the media industry as a whole.

Metroland has a perspective on the benefits of Bill C -18 and the benefits it can provide local news m edia. We believe that the Online News Act will see increased revenue going towards small and local news organizations. This is a view reflected by other small news media sources, despite the contrary being reported by the report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer. We believe it is important to take into account the threat that tech giants pose to local media, and what would become of public dialogue if the news media industry continues to be unfairly compensated and forced to close their doors.

It is fo r this reason, Metroland would like to be part of the conversation to ensure that local news providers are properly represented as the Committee undertakes its study into Bill C-18. Please consider this formal request to participate at the Committee. Regards, Neil Oliver President and Chief Executive Officer Metroland Media Group cc. Clerk of the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications, trcm@sen.parl.gc.ca Deputy Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications, julie.miville-dechene@sen.parl.gc.ca