The Canadian Online News Act has prompted Meta and Google to block Canadian news in the country. The bill forces social media platforms and search engines to compensate local news companies for any stories that are displayed on their services. In response, both Meta and Google have resolved to simply block news links for Canadian users.
To overcome these restrictions, I’ve created a simple guide to help you keep accessing Canadian news using a VPN. In just 3 easy steps, you can unblock news on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Google to stay informed. Additionally, after testing over 25 services, my team and I have narrowed down the top 3 most effective VPNs for Canada.
My top VPN recommendation is ExpressVPN. With plenty of international servers and excellent speeds, it’s great for accessing news quickly. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Getting a refund is a straightforward process if you’re dissatisfied.
Access News With ExpressVPN >>
Quick Guide: How to Access News on Google and Social Media in Canada in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. Thanks to its fast and extensive server network, ExpressVPN excels at accessing Canadian news on social media and Google. You can try ExpressVPN without risk (it has a 30-day money-back guarantee).
- Connect to a server. Just choose any server that’s not in Canada. For instance, connecting to a US server allows you to bypass the blocks in Canada and read news on social media.
- Start reading the news. Enjoy secure and swift access to your preferred Canadian news on social media platforms and Google.
Why You Need a VPN to Access News on Google and Social Media in Canada
Canada’s Bill C-18 makes sites like Google and Meta pay Canadian news outlets for story links that are shared on their various services. Its purpose is to help struggling news companies regain lost revenue due to users reading their news through social media or Google, without ever visiting or subscribing to the news website itself. However, Google and Meta have decided to block Canadian news sources for Canadian users in response. Sites can do this by checking your IP address to see if you’re in Canada.
The good news is that you can easily regain access to your favorite Canadian news with a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN allows you to disguise your location by directing your internet traffic through a server in another country before it reaches any site. This lets you borrow an IP address from that country, creating the impression that you’re browsing from a different region.
When you access Google or one of Meta’s social media sites with this new IP address, the sites won’t be able to see that you’re in Canada. So, both social media feeds and search results will start displaying links to Canadian news sources again.
That said, not all VPNs are suitable for this task, as some can accidentally reveal your true location by leaking your IP address or DNS requests. To assist you, I’ve tested multiple VPNs and compiled a list of reliable options for use in Canada, which you can find below.
Best VPNs to Access News on Google and Social Media in Canada — Updated in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Overall Fastest VPN for Watching News Videos on Social Media In Canada
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| Best Feature | Fast speeds and powerful security to safely and quickly access news on social media in Canada |
| Server Network | 3,000 servers in 94 countries |
| Device Connections | 8 simultaneous device connections |
| Can Access Links From | CBC, The Globe and Mail, National Post, The Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun, and more |
ExpressVPN delivers excellent speeds for watching Canadian news stories on social media, thanks to its custom VPN protocol Lightway. My connection was really fast during tests on ExpressVPN’s US servers, maintaining speeds above 91Mbps. While all VPNs slow your internet speed, ExpressVPN only slowed my connection by a mere 9% (many others slow you by 40% or more).This meant I could easily watch high-quality Canadian news videos on Facebook.
I had no buffering or audio stuttering watching news reels
ExpressVPN also reliably accesses Canadian news thanks to its thousands of available IP addresses in different countries. During my Montreal trip, I easily connected to the New York server, ensuring uninterrupted access to the latest Canadian news on Threads. Since the server network is so big, I also never faced issues with overcrowding (when too many VPN customers use one server at once). I always had a stable and reliable connection throughout my tests.
To keep your IP address and location concealed, ExpressVPN has strong leak protection. I conducted DNS/IPv6/WebRTC leak tests and my real Canadian IP address stayed hidden at all times. Additionally, ExpressVPN features an automatic kill switch (Network Lock) that swiftly halts your traffic if the VPN connection drops — preventing your IP address from being accidentally revealed.
One minor gripe is that the VPN is priced slightly on the high end. That said, ExpressVPN often provides discounts and promotions. I saved 49% and received an additional 3 months free by choosing the 12-month plan, reducing the cost to only $6.67/month. Using the 30-day money-back guarantee was hassle-free too; I contacted the 24/7 live chat support, requested a refund, and the money was back in my account within 3 days.
Useful Features
- Works on all devices. ExpressVPN has intuitive apps for nearly every OS (including Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, Linux, and routers). So you can use it to access Canadian news on your laptop, desktop, smartphone, and more.
- Split tunneling. This feature gives you the flexibility to select which apps use the VPN and which don’t. That means you can access news on social media in Canada while still accessing local services with your real IP address.
- Shortcuts feature. You can set Shortcuts to your favorite social media platforms within the ExpressVPN app, allowing you to open them straight from the VPN.
- Threat Manager. Enable Threat Manager to block trackers on websites and apps, so social media networks like Meta can’t monitor your movements around the web.
Access News With ExpressVPN >>
2. CyberGhost — Beginner-Friendly Apps to Easily Access News on Google and Social Media in Canada
| Best Feature | Easy-to-use apps make it simple to unblock news on social media websites in Canada |
| Server Network | 9,361 servers in 100 countries overall, giving you global coverage |
| Device Connections | 7 simultaneous device connections |
| Can Access Links From | CBC, The Globe and Mail, National Post, The Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun, and more |
Accessing Canadian news is easy with CyberGhost’s user-friendly app. Its menus are straightforward and connecting to an ideal server just takes a couple of clicks. Cyberghost can also be automated in various ways to save you time. For example, I set Google News to open automatically when I connected the VPN using the easy-to-adjust Smart rules feature.
All settings come with clear and easy-to-follow explanations
While not as speedy as ExpressVPN, CyberGhost offers dependable speeds so you can enjoy news without delays. I recorded only a 16% drop from my regular speed, which was hardly noticeable. As such, I had no delays or stutters watching CNN reels on Instagram in high quality. The VPN offers unlimited bandwidth too, so you can watch as many news videos on social media as you want.
Unlike many other VPNs, the apps include an ad-blocker that works on social media websites. Content Blocker effectively puts an end to bothersome in-app ads and thwarts app trackers that monitor your online activities. Additionally, the VPN comes with DNS and IPv6 leak protection to stop your real location from being exposed to Google or Meta.
One small drawback is the relatively expensive monthly plan, which comes with a shorter 14-day money-back guarantee period. However, if you choose a long-term plan, the price drops significantly to just $2.19/month and you receive an extended money-back guarantee that lets you try CyberGhost free for 45 days.
Useful Features
- Streaming-optimized servers. As a bonus, CyberGhost can help you access your streaming accounts worldwide too. It’s got servers designed to work with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more — as well as servers for Canadian services like CBC and DAZN CA.
- Router compatibility. CyberGhost can easily be set up on your router. This allows you to access Canadian news on every device across your home network without having to install the CyberGhost app on each one.
Access News With CyberGhost >>
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Massive Network for Accessing News on Social Media in Canada
| Best Feature | 53 US server locations, offering you plenty of fast servers for reading the news on social media and Google from Canada |
| Server Network | 29,650 servers in 84 countries |
| Device Connections | Unlimited simultaneous device connections |
| Can Access Links From | CBC, The Globe and Mail, National Post, The Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun, and more |
PIA gives you a huge number of reliable US servers to choose from. This is beneficial because you get the fastest speeds by connecting to a VPN server that’s near your real location (as your traffic travels less distance), so these are ideal for watching news clips in high quality from Canada. It offers servers across 53 US locations — all of which worked flawlessly in tests with Meta and Google.
The large server network also means your browsing isn’t hampered by overcrowding
You also get unlimited device connections with PIA. This allows you and your household to access news on Google and social media in Canada across multiple devices without encountering any restrictions. I set up PIA on my laptop, smartphone, desktop, and iPad and didn’t experience any decrease in speed while streaming news videos on all of them.
One potential challenge with PIA is that its settings can be complex if you’re new to VPNs. However, the app comes pre-configured for speed and security, so you don’t have to adjust any settings if you prefer not to.
You can get PIA for just $2.03/month when you opt for a long-term subscription and all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Useful Features
- MACE ad blocker. This feature effectively removes intrusive third-party ads while viewing news clips on social media platforms. It works on both PIA’s desktop and mobile app.
- Customizable security. PIA allows you to customize encryption levels (from the secure AES 256-bit to the faster AES 128-bit). Additionally, you can choose between the trusted OpenVPN, speedy WireGuard, or mobile-friendly IKEv2 VPN protocols.
FAQs on Accessing News on Google and Social Media in Canada With a VPN
What’s Bill C-18?
Bill C-18, also known as the Online News Act in Canada, is a set of rules affecting Canadian news outlets. It passed on June 22 2023 and forces companies like Meta and Google to pay to share links to Canadian news websites. Because of this, both companies have decided to block Canadian users from seeing Canadian news posts on their platforms. Luckily, you can still see the news by connecting to a VPN server outside of Canada.
It’s thought that Bill C-18 is based on a similar law passed by the Australian government in 2020 (the News Media Bargaining Code or NMBC). In that case, Meta also responded by blocking Australian news links for Australian users on its social media sites. However, both Meta and Google quickly reached deals with a number of local news outlets. This allowed such outlets to link their posts on these platforms once more, without being blocked.
Can I access international news on Google and social media while in Canada?
Yes, Bill C-18 only applies to Canadian news outlets. So Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and Google will still show Canadian users links to international news sources, like the BBC, The Guardian, or The New York Times (even if the story is about Canada). That said, you’ll need a VPN to see news from local sources on Google and Meta-run social media.
Where is Google removing Canadian news?
From search results, the news tab, and Discover products (when they’re accessed from within Canada). It’s likely snippets from Canadian outlets will no longer be featured, and Google News Showcase will also no longer appear in Canada. You’ll still be able to visit Canadian news websites directly but you’ll need a VPN if you want Canadian news sources to show up in your Google searches and apps.
Can I share news stories on Instagram in Canada?
Instagram will prevent users from sharing stories from Canadian outlets. This allows its parent company, Meta, to avoid paying the required compensation to Canadian news companies. You can get around this restriction by using a quality VPN. When you connect to a VPN server in another country, Instagram will think you’re in that country — so it won’t block you from sharing Canadian news links (though others in Canada might still not be able to see them).
Does the Canadian news ban affect people in other countries?
No, the Canadian news ban only affects people within Canada. Google and Meta users in other countries should still see Canadian news links in their search results and feeds. That’s why you can use a VPN to see Canadian news on social media or in Google searches from Canada — it’s just a matter of making Google or Meta think you’re not in the country.
Will a free VPN work for accessing news in Canada?
It’s not recommended. Most free VPNs come with limitations such as tiny server networks, slow speeds, or tight data caps — making them less suitable for browsing the news on social media and Google. Paid VPN services with a money-back guarantee are much more reliable.
Additionally, many free VPNs are dangerous to use. Some of them sneakily log your online activity, while others are traps embedded with malware.
Access News on Google and Social Media in Canada With a VPN in Minutes
You can avoid the repercussions of the Canadian Online News Act by using a VPN. VPNs let you borrow an IP address from outside Canada, so Google and Meta won’t block your access to links from Canadian news sources.
ExpressVPN is my top choice for accessing news on Google and social media in Canada. It offers plenty of reliable servers, fast speeds, and it’s compatible with all popular devices, making it ideal for accessing the news quickly with no hassle. Additionally, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you test ExpressVPN risk-free.
