Google to Ban Political Ads Ahead of Canadian Elections

Following the introduction of strict new Canadian transparency rules, Google plans to ban political advertising ahead of Canada’s federal elections.

Reuters reports that following the passing of the Canadian bill C-76 which was passed in December, Google will no longer be allowing political advertising on its platform ahead of the upcoming Canadian federal elections. The recently introduced bill requires Internet platforms such as Google to keep a record of all politically related advertisements on their platforms.

Colin McKay, Google Canada’s head of public policy, commented on the company’s decision stating: “For the duration of the 2019 federal election campaign, Google will not accept advertising regulated by Bill C-76. We’re focusing our efforts on supporting Canadian news literacy programs and connecting people to useful and relevant election-related information.”

The Canadian federal elections are expected to start in October, by then Google plans to alter its advertising policies in order to prevent advertisers from running ads that are prohibited under the regulations set out in Bill C-76.

In October of 2018, Google shut down the advertising campaign of Toronto mayoral candidate Faith Goldy just 48 hours before polls opened. Breitbart News reporter Charlie Nash wrote at the time:It

On Saturday, October 20, just 48 hours before polls opened, Google informed Goldy that her entire online advertising campaign, which included video, search result, and banner advertisements, had been shut down.