Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne has been accused of meddling with the independence of the Competition Bureau after he tweeted his support for a complaint by media organizations over Meta’s decision to block news on Facebook and Instagram.
Mr. Champagne said in his tweet: “I am determined to use every tool at our disposal to ensure that Canadians can have access to reliable news – across all platforms. I fully support the complaint made to the Competition Bureau by CND media groups against Meta in their effort to promote a free & independent press.”
“The Competition Bureau is an independent enforcement body, but Champagne wields significant power, including the ability to re-appoint the current Commissioner,” he said. “It is simply inappropriate for a minister to pre-judge a complaint to the bureau and Champagne’s comments appear to have done so and undermine the integrity of the process.”