Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday accused Facebook of prioritizing profit over public safety during the emergency created by Canada’s record wildfire season.

The social network’s parent company, Meta, recently announced that it will keep its promise to block news content from its platforms in this country due to a new law that forces tech giants to pay publishers for link to or reuse their content online.

Raging fires across Canada have forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes and put cities like Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, at risk.

Some 30,000 people in British Columbia have been ordered to evacuate.

“Right now, in an emergency situation where up-to-date local information is more important than ever, Facebook is prioritizing its corporate profits over public safety,” Trudeau told a conference. press.

“It is inconceivable that a company like Facebook would choose corporate profits over ensuring that local news organizations can provide up-to-the-minute information to Canadians,” the Prime Minister insisted.

Authorities on Friday asked Meta to lift its restrictions on Canadian news, which apply to local and national media.

The company, for its part, defended its position and said in a statement that Canadians can continue to use Instagram and Facebook “to connect with their community and access information from trusted sources, including content from official government agencies, emergency services”. and non-governmental organizations” to learn about forest fires.

Citizens of Canada may not view or share information on Meta-owned networks, including articles, videos or audio files posted by media inside or outside the country.

The Maple Leaf Country is experiencing one of its worst surges of fires in weeks, with more than 5,500 blazes recorded since the start of 2023.

To date, specialists estimate the number of hectares burned at more than 13 million, a figure without historical precedent.

The law on online information, adopted at the end of June after long debates, should come into force later this year.

“It’s Facebook’s decision,” Trudeau said.

Finally, he pointed out “In a democracy, quality local journalism is important, and it is now more than ever, as people worry about their homes, their communities, the worst summer for events extremes that we have known for a long time”.

With information from AP.