The District of Sooke has promised not to advertise on Facebook and Instagram as tensions rise between the Canadian government and tech giants.
 
The decision comes at the request of the Sooke News Mirror after Meta began blocking Canadian news content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in response to the federal government’s recently passed Online News Act.
 
The new law will require tech giants to pay media outlets for content they share or repurpose on their platforms.
 
"Trusted news sources like the Sooke News Mirror are an important indicator of a thriving democracy," said Rod Sluggett, publisher of the Sooke News Mirror.
 
"We've gained huge audiences by adding balance in an increasingly unbalanced world and by helping to communicate the work being done by many non-profit organizations, service clubs, businesses, and individuals to build a better community for all."
 
District officials said they've never advertised on Facebook or Instagram.
 
Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce executive director Britt Santowski said the district should not be spending tax dollars on businesses out of the country.
 
"The spending hierarchy should be Sooke first, then Vancouver Island, then BC, and then the rest of Canada before we support international organizations with zero commitment to Sooke."
 
The BC, Quebec, and federal governments have stopped advertising on all Meta platforms.
 
Roughly 23.1 percent of advertising dollars in the country went towards Canadian and local media in 2014, five years later, that figure declined to 5.7 percent.
 
Over the past 15 years, 473 local news outlets have closed, affecting more than 300 communities across Canada.
 
"Canadian media is facing unprecedented challenges that are affecting our ability to continue to publish journalism that readers can trust," Sluggett said.
 
Kevin Laird.

A token gesture which begs the question...  why would the District of Sooke advertise on Facebook or Instagram?