Leading Canadian News Organizations Join SPUR’s Global Coalition to Shape the Future of AI and Journalism

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CBC/Radio-Canada, The Globe and Mail, La Presse, Postmedia, Quebecor, Torstar and TVO Media Education Group today announced they will join the Standards for Publisher Usage Rights (SPUR) Coalition, becoming part of a growing international alliance of news publishers working to shape the technical and commercial environment in which intellectual property owners can control and monetize the use of their content by generative AI applications.

The announcement follows the SPUR Coalition's major international expansion unveiled today at the World News Media Congress, where the organization welcomed new publisher and affiliate members from around the world. The SPUR Coalition was launched by the Guardian, the BBC, Financial Times, Sky News and Telegraph Media Group in February 2026.

The SPUR Coalition's ambition is to create a fair market for quality content that recognizes the essential role publishers’ intellectual property and trusted journalism play in powering AI systems. Through the development of standards, frameworks and technologies that promote transparency, accountability and fair value, SPUR works to ensure publishers are able to protect, license and commercialize their content in the AI ecosystem. The addition of Canadian organizations to the SPUR Coalition's ongoing technical, strategic and policy discussions will help ensure Canadian perspectives contribute to the global standards and policies governing the future relationship between AI and news media.

"Publishers cannot simply be content sources for AI systems. We are creators of valuable intellectual property that underpins the quality, accuracy and trustworthiness of AI-generated content. As this market evolves, it’s crucial that publishers have a meaningful role in shaping the future of the market. Through the SPUR Coalition, we have an opportunity to work alongside leading news organizations around the world to help establish a transparent and accountable framework – that respects publishers’ rights, supports sustainable business models and ensures trusted journalism continues to thrive."

- Joint statement from CBC/Radio-Canada, The Globe and Mail, La Presse, Postmedia, Quebecor, Torstar, and TVO Media Education Group

By joining The SPUR Coalition, Canada's leading news organizations are adding their voices to a growing international movement focused on ensuring the development of AI is grounded in transparency, accountability and fair value exchange between AI developers and content creators.

PUBLISHER QUOTES:

“By bringing together public and private media in Canada and around the world, the SPUR Coalition is laying the foundation for a common approach to the intersection of AI and journalism across the media industry. This collaboration will set standards for the protection and compensation of verified and trusted journalism, to the benefit of all Canadians.”

- Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada

"AI presents significant opportunities for both publishers and audiences, but realizing those opportunities requires collaboration across the industry. As AI becomes increasingly reliant on trusted content, publishers need greater transparency on how their work is used. By joining the SPUR Coalition, we’re working alongside publishers around the world to help shape the standards, technologies and policies needed to bring greater transparency and fair value exchange to the AI marketplace – because innovation and trusted journalism should reinforce one another.”

- Andrew Saunders, President and CEO, The Globe and Mail

"In today's era of disinformation, independent, high-quality journalism is indispensable. When we, the media, publish verified information, obtained by means of a rigorous newsgathering process, we contribute to a healthy democracy. This collaboration between major publishers all around the world, is fully aligned with our mission of providing access to reliable and accurate information, while ensuring we maintain control over the use of our content."

- Patrick Bourbeau, Vice-President, Legal Affairs, La Presse

“Publishers’ content forms the backbone of AI systems’ quality and reliability, but there’s been no compensation or proper attribution, and that needs to change. Postmedia is proud to join the SPUR Coalition, working with peers in Canada and globally to protect copyright, ensure credit, and give publishers control over their content. We support this critical work toward a more sustainable future for trusted journalism and AI.”

- Andrew MacLeod, President and CEO, Postmedia

"News media organizations are actively engaged in the field and within their communities, mobilizing the invaluable expertise of their teams and committing significant financial resources to uncover, investigate, question, and tell the stories that shape and deepen our understanding of society. Whatever promise artificial intelligence may hold, this work can never be replaced. Technology companies and public policymakers must acknowledge this reality and establish mechanisms that ensure fair compensation for the use of news media content. By joining SPUR, Québecor seeks to contribute to a necessary united front among media organizations in the face of the emerging artificial intelligence marketplace."

– Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Québecor.

“Journalists produce content that is foundational for any credible AI system or strategy. We are pleased to join the world’s leading news organizations through SPUR to make sure the emerging AI marketplace values journalism for what it is: unique, high-quality content that publishers should be fairly compensated for. Without original and factual news, AI platforms are unable to deliver credible, accurate information to the people using them."

- Angus Frame, President, Torstar

“We are at a pivotal moment where the future of knowledge, learning and civic understanding will be influenced by AI. Public media plays a critical role in supporting informed citizenship and trusted access to information and it is essential that the use of high-quality journalism and educational content is grounded in transparency, accountability, and respect for intellectual property. Through joining the SPUR Coalition, TVO is contributing to a global vision where technology amplifies human understanding, strengthens democracies, and expands access to high‑quality knowledge for generations to come.”

- Pary Bell, CEO, TVO Media Education Group

The Standards for Publisher Usage Rights (SPUR)’s membership announcement was released earlier today in Marseille following their announcement at the World News Media Congress. Click here to read the full press release.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages: Dëne Sųłiné, Dene Kǝdǝ, Dene Zhatıé, Eastern Cree, Dinjii Zhuʼ Ginjik, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun and Tłıchǫ. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

About The Globe and Mail

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s foremost news media company, leading the national discussion and causing policy change through brave and independent journalism since 1844. With our award-winning coverage of business, politics and national affairs, The Globe and Mail newspaper reaches 6.5 million readers every week in our print or digital formats, and Report on Business magazine reaches 2.8 million readers in print and digital. Our investment in innovative data science means that as the world continues to change, so does The Globe. The Globe and Mail is owned by Woodbridge, the investment arm of the Thomson family. To learn more, visit www.globeandmail.com.

About La Presse

La Presse is a French-language digital news media in Canada. It is completely independent and operates in a not-for-profit structure. Its mission is to offer quality information that is free of charge and accessible to all. La Presse articles are published daily in a digital edition for tablets, via its mobile app and on its website. Its various platforms reach more than 1 million readers each day. The recipient of numerous awards for the quality of its content, La Presse is known for its rich and diversified news coverage, its investigations and in-depth reports, as well as the large space it devotes to debates. Since the launch of its philanthropy program in 2019, nearly 115,000 donors have financially supported La Presse’s news and information mission. To learn more, visit info.lapresse.ca.

About Postmedia

Postmedia Network Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSX:PNC.A, PNC.B), is a Canadian newsmedia company representing more than 110 brands across multiple print, online, and mobile platforms. Award-winning journalists and innovative product development teams bring engaging content to millions of people every week whenever and wherever they want it. This exceptional content, reach and scope offer advertisers and marketers compelling solutions to effectively reach target audiences.

About Quebecor

Québecor, a Canadian leader in telecommunications, entertainment, news media and culture, is one of the best-performing integrated communications companies in the industry. Founded in 1965, one year after the launch of the Journal de Montréal, Québecor also owns Vidéotron and Groupe TVA, the largest French-language broadcaster in Canada, as well as several other news media outlets.

About Torstar

Torstar is the parent company of the Toronto Star, Hamilton Spectator, Waterloo Region Record, The Peterborough Examiner, Welland Tribune, Niagara Falls Review, St. Catharines Standard, and dozens of local news brands across Ontario. Torstar employs over 600 staff, including approximately 350 journalists and editorial staff.

About TVO Media Education Group

TVO Media Education Group inspires learning that changes lives and enriches communities. Founded in 1970, we are a globally recognized digital learning organization that engages Ontarians of all ages with inclusive experiences and diverse perspectives. Through our brands TVO Today, TVO Learn, TVO ILC and TVOkids, we’re investing in the transformative potential of education for everyone. TVO is a registered charity funded in part by the Province of Ontario and supported by thousands of sponsors and donors. Visit TVO.me for more information.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Leon Mar
Senior Director, Public Affairs | Corporate Spokesperson - CBC/Radio-Canada
leon.mar@cbc.ca

Theresa Deu-Ngoc
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications - The Globe and Mail
tdeungoc@globeandmail.com

Michaël Majeau
Director, Communications and Branding – La Presse
514 285-7000 poste 7730 | Mmajeau@lapresse.ca

Susan Pape
Senior Director, Communications – Postmedia
inquiries@postmedia.com

Véronique Mercier
Vice-president, Communications - Québecor
514-380-1999 | medias@quebecor.com

Melanie Karalis
Director of Public Relations and Brand Engagement - Torstar
1 548-588-1279 | mkaralis@torstar.ca

Genevieve Grant
Manager, External Communications – TVO Media Education Group
ggrant@tvo.org