Google Canada has told senators that it would be reasonable to reconsider whether it shares links to news sites if the government's online news bill becomes law, but it is not promising to block them.
Digital giants will have six months to negotiate private deals to compensate Canadian media outlets for reusing their news content or be forced to reach an agreement, if a new federal bill becomes law.
Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez is pressing ahead with plans for a law to make digital giants pay Canadian outlets for using their content, not just to shore up the media but to counteract fake news.
A Canadian media non-profit is launching a campaign against fake news after recent polling found Canadians are regularly exposed to misinformation but don't always have the knowledge to combat it.