This blog was written in August 2023, when Meta started to block Canadian news content in response to the Canadian government’s Online News Act. The Phoenix has since worked around this by creating a new Facebook page. See the end of this article for an update on the ONA situation.

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“Your content was shared but cannot be viewed in Canada.” That’s the pop-up I get now, every time I post, comment or share on The Peachland Phoenix’s Facebook page.

You’ve seen a similar notification – it started August 1, 2023. Why? It’s Meta’s response to Bill C-18, Canada’s recently-passed Online News Act. While the federal government sees it as a way to compel Facebook / Instagram and Google to compensate Canadian news outlets – what it’s accomplished so far is a swift move on Meta’s part to ban Canadian news.

Meta says this legislation is based on an “incorrect premise” that they benefit unfairly from news content shared on their platforms. In a June 22 (2023) statement, they say the reverse is true.

“News outlets voluntarily share content on Facebook and Instagram to expand their audiences and help their bottom line. In contrast, we know the people using our platforms don’t come to us for news.”

The federal government on the other hand, maintains news publishers have lost their advertising revenue to the tech giants, which translates into reporter layoffs and the general state of decline the journalism industry has experienced over the past 20 years. They want the big tech platforms to negotiate deals with major news outlets for posting their work.

Here’s the problem: Those media companies the federal government is trying to protect? They’re all owned by big corporations, with demonstrably, little regard for preserving journalism. This Online News Act includes nothing to support innovation in our industry, nor does it mention a way to fund or protect independent news startups. You know, the small guys, like me.

It should also be noted Meta already had ongoing (voluntary) deals with major Canadian news outlets regarding use of content on the platform. Now that the Online News Act has passed, those deals have now been cancelled. And according to this Globe and Mail article, Google, who is also part of negotiations regarding Canadian news on their platform – said they would rather contribute to a fund that supports the news industry, “rather than mandated payments for links with uncapped liability.”

Our industry has made a critical mistake by allowing a third-party – Facebook, Google, and the like – to be the conduit to reach our readers. It’s why, when I started The Phoenix, I soon realized my email list is much more valuable – it belongs to me, while the likers and followers of my Facebook and Instagram pages (most of whom are not paying customers), belong to Meta.

So. How can you help Peachland’s only source of professional news?

Sign up for my email newsletter! It’s free, and it comes once a week – and whenever news is breaking. Just head over to my website – www.thepeachlandphoenix.com – and you’ll see a pop-up. Fill it in, and you’re added to the list! Lots of community news you won’t see anywhere else – those on my email list are first to know!

Want to read the stories? Please subscribe! Know that when you do, you’re directly supporting independent, credible journalism written just for Peachlanders, by a fellow Peachlander. With newspapers leaving, and big media companies pulling reporters out of smaller areas for more regional coverage, all that small-town stuff can be lost: The nuances and history of our District council (I’ve been covering them for six years now), the community events, and all those little things that wouldn’t otherwise get media attention – that’s what I do! So, if you want to be informed – and you’re willing to take the time to read – The Phoenix is for you! Just $6 a month, and your first month is free.

My website can always be found when www.thepeachlandphoenix.com is saved in your web browser’s bookmarks.

And you can also donate directly to sustaining local, independent news here in Peachland. Check out my PayPal / credit card link (the Support Local News button on the Home pg) or Etransfer kristen@thepeachlandphoenix.com

One thing I’m really thankful for in all this? After five years, I have some amazingly solid support. People who understand why community news is important. People who are involved in making Peachland better. People who want to support a fellow Peachlander, and a unique small business. They know I work my butt off trying to make this thing fly. And with continued support from Peachland, it will. I mean, it’s called The Peachland Phoenix for a reason….

2025 UPDATE: After urging Trudeau’s federal government to keep Google at the negotiation table, Press Forward – an industry group advocating for independent and smaller-market media – announced in February 2024, an agreement:

“Digital news publishers would find a news block by Google extremely destabilizing,” said the group in their 2024 statement (The Peachland Phoenix is a Press Forward member)

“At issue was a number of changes Google wanted to see in the Online News Act regulations, including a cap on their total financial liability under the Act and the ability to deal with only one news collective.”

As a result, the Canadian Journalism Collective was created as an incorporated non-profit for the purpose of distributing funds allocated under the Online News Act.

In April 2025, the CJC disclosed that $22 million in funding was allocated to a variety of news outlets across Canada, from Castanet ($155,000) and Black Press ($1.3 million), to smaller outlets such as the Drumheller Mail in Alberta ($5,500).

Because The Phoenix does not have staff, it did not qualify for such funding. The Phoenix continues to rely mostly on subscriber support, sponsorship and advertising.

And yes, the Meta ban on Canadian professional news outlets remains. However, I recently created a new Phoenix Peachland Facebook page – fingers crossed it lasts!