For nearly 25 years, MoneySense has delivered practical personal finance journalism for Canadians, covering everything from investing and taxes to groceries and household budgeting. I love this work and believe strongly in journalism’s public service: giving readers reliable information so they can make better financial decisions. At the same time, I have mixed feelings about social media. When these platforms first emerged, news organizations were welcomed because original journalism helped bring people to the services. Publishers gained direct access to readers and a way to build audiences.
Over time, however, the relationship changed. Social platforms have become more focused on protecting their business models and advertising revenue, sometimes at the expense of the public’s access to trustworthy information. Organic reach for news has declined and many outlets have moved newsroom and advertising budgets from print to digital in an effort to maintain visibility. What once felt like a straightforward way to connect with Canadians has become more complex—and often more costly—because of algorithms and the rise of paid promotion to reach followers.
How tech companies are responding to Bill C-18
Bill C-18, which became law on June 22, 2023, requires large online platforms that use news content to compensate news publishers. In response, major tech companies including Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) and Google publicly warned they would limit or remove access to news content in Canada rather than comply with the law as written. Both companies said they had informed the government of potential changes to services like Search, News, Discover and news availability on social platforms.
It’s important to note that news visibility on social platforms has been declining for some time—often through a model that’s effectively “pay to play.” Publishers have increasingly had to pay for boosted posts or promoted placements to make sure their reporting reaches followers and target audiences. With the changes driven by C-18, that dynamic could shift further, putting many Canadians at risk of missing local and national reporting that affects their daily lives. Regardless of where you stand on the policy debate, the possible loss of access to reliable news is concerning.
What can you do to keep reading and supporting MoneySense?
MoneySense is committed to keeping our website free and accessible to all Canadians. To make sure you keep receiving our coverage, here are practical steps you can take:
- Bookmark our homepage and key pages. Our site is paywall-free—bookmark MoneySense.ca and any specific sections you visit most often so you can return directly. Useful pages to save include our advice columns, tools and regular features such as:
- The award-winning Ask A Planner column by Jason Heath
- The MoneySense ETF Finder Tool, updated weekly
- Our market coverage in the “Making sense of the markets” column
- Coverage for younger readers in our Gen Z column, “Making it”
- The MoneySense Glossary for quick definitions
- Current rates and product roundups—from GICs and high-interest savings accounts to mortgages
- Handy calculators and tools, including our compound interest calculator and TFSA contribution room calculator
Sign up for our free newsletters and add [email protected] to your contacts. Subscribing ensures our stories land in your inbox rather than a social feed. MoneySense currently publishes three weekly newsletters to keep readers informed:
- MoneySense Invest – Weekly insights on investing strategy, market trends and outlooks.
- MoneyFit – Practical money coaching with stories, tips and profiles to help you stay on track.
- MoneySense Weekly – A roundup of top developments and our most-read stories each week.
At the time of publication we were also running a subscriber giveaway through July 31, 2023, offering select readers copies of Balance: How to Invest and Spend For Happiness, Health, and Wealth by Andrew Hallam. If you’re not yet subscribed, consider signing up via our newsletter page to stay informed about future promotions and exclusive content.
Follow MoneySense on other social platforms. While news availability on some networks may be changing, you can still find our journalism across a range of channels. Follow us for updates, tools and feature stories on Twitter, Flipboard, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Pinterest and TikTok.
The MoneySense team—journalists, editors and financial experts—remains committed to providing clear, independent and free access to information that helps Canadians manage their money with confidence. We aren’t stopping our reporting, and we encourage you to use the direct avenues above to continue reading, sharing and supporting trusted financial journalism.