(Montreal) The Quebec Federation of Labor (FTQ), which represents more than 600,000 workers, announced Friday that it is suspending all advertising purchases from the Meta group, which includes the Facebook and Instagram platforms.

The measurement of the FTQ’s advertising purchases at Meta was not specified.

The largest labor center in Quebec criticizes Meta for refusing to negotiate fair royalties with Canadian media under Bill C-18, which was passed last June. In retaliation for this legislation, Meta decided to remove Canadian media content from its platforms.

The president of the FTQ, Magali Picard, believes that Meta is blackmailing and has made an undemocratic gesture that deprives the population of credible information.

Ms. Picard adds that Meta profits from articles and news from news outlets, without paying a cent for production to those who created that high-priced content.

The FTQ indicates that it will take identical measures against the Google group if it carries out its threats to boycott Quebec and Canadian media.

Many institutions, including the governments of Canada and Quebec, recently announced the suspension of advertising purchases on Meta.

In 2021, Australia passed legislation similar to Canada’s Bill C-18. Meta then temporarily blocked information from Facebook, before concluding agreements with press publishers. The Australian government therefore never carried out a designation process that would have allowed the law to apply specifically.