Official Google Canada Blog: June 2021

Douglas Coupland x Google Research: The intersection of art and technology

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Have you ever noticed that the word art is embedded in ARTificial intelligence? Neither did we, but when the opportunity presented itself to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) inspires artistic expression — with the help of internationally renowned Canadian artist Douglas Coupland — the Google Research team jumped on it. This collaboration, with the support of Google Arts & Culture, culminated in a project called Slogans for the Class of 2030, which spotlights the experiences of the first generation of young people whose lives are fully intertwined with the existence of AI.

This collaboration was brought to life by first introducing Coupland’s written work to a machine learning language model. Machine learning is a form of AI that provides computer systems the ability to automatically learn from data. In this case, Google research scientists tuned a machine learning algorithm with Coupland’s 30-year body of written work — more than a million words — so it would familiarize itself with the author’s unique style of writing. From there, curated general-public social media posts on selected topics were added to teach the algorithm how to craft short-form, topical statements.

Once the algorithm was trained, the next step was to process and reassemble suggestions of text, data, for Coupland to use as inspiration to create twenty-five Slogans for the Class of 2030. In his own words:

A common theme in Coupland’s work is the investigation of the human condition through the lens of pop culture. The focus on the class of 2030 was intentional. Coupland wanted to create works that would serve as inspiration for students in their early teens who will be graduating from university in 2030. For those teens considering their future career paths, he’d hope that this collaboration would trigger a broader conversation on the vast possibilities in the field and would acquaint them to the fact that AI does not have to be strictly scientific, it can be artful.

Unveiled today, all twenty-five thought provoking and visually rich digital slogans are yours to experience on Google Arts & Culture alongside Coupland’s artistic statement and other behind the scenes material. This isn't Douglas’ first collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, in 2019 Coupland’s Vancouver art exhibition was captured virtually. In 2015 and 2016, he joined the Google Arts & Culture Lab residency in Paris where he collaborated with engineers to develop many works including the Search book and the Living Internet.

In an effort to celebrate Canadian talent, multiple venues across Canada have signed on to display the slogans, for a limited time, on larger-than-life digital screens allowing curious minds to experience them in an immersive way. The screens include the Terry Fox Memorial Plaza at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver B. C., the Len Werry TELUS building in downtown Calgary, the downtown Toronto TELUS building and select Pattison screens across Canada.

“These art installations displayed at TELUS buildings in Calgary and Toronto are being showcased at the perfect time, as the weather is warming and more of us are safely re-exploring our neighbourhoods by spending time outdoors,” said Scott Dutchak, TELUS Vice-President of Real Estate. “Calgarians will already be familiar with the unique Douglas Coupland light display at TELUS Sky, and we jumped at the opportunity for more of our buildings to showcase the beauty of AI and art coming together, and to celebrate Douglas Couplands inspiring and captivating words.”

Technology has always played a role in creating new types of possibilities that inspire artists — from the sounds of distortion to the electronic sounds of synths for musicians for example. Today, advances in AI are opening up new possibilities for other forms of art and we look forward to seeing what the crossroads of art and technology bring to life.
Posted by Chris Henry, Marketing Manager, Google Canada

Mary Two-Axe Earley's fight for equality changed Canada

Monday, June 28, 2021

The Mary Two-Axe Earley Google Doodle created by Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) guest artist Star Horn. See it live at google.ca on June 28, 2021

This blog is guest-written by Kanien’keháka (Mohawk) filmmaker Courtney Montour. She is the writer & director of “Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again.” If you head over to the homepage today, you'll see the Doodle honours Mary Two-Axe Earley, a Kanien’keháka (Mohawk) woman who fought for more than two decades to challenge sex discrimination against First Nations women embedded in Canada’s Indian Act.

Mary Two-Axe Earley is a name I grew up always knowing. We are both Kanien’keháka (Mohawk) from Kahnà:wake, located across the river from Montreal, Quebec. I was a teenager when Mary passed away in 1996, too young to fully grasp the impact she had on people’s lives across Canada. I set out to make “Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again” to bring attention to a pivotal figure who is often overlooked in accounts of this country’s history.
Mary fought for more than two decades to challenge sex discrimination against First Nations women in Canada’s Indian Act and became a key figure in Canada’s women’s rights movement. The Indian Act of 1876 defines who is an “Indian” and who can belong to an “Indian band” (now referred to as First Nations). The federal government targeted First Nations women, stripping them of their Indian status (their recognition as an Indian) if they married a non-Indian man. These laws banned First Nations women and their children who lost their status from living in their communities, denying them access to critical social programs and voting rights in their community, and severing their ties to identity and culture. Thousands of First Nations women affected by this legislation are still waiting to be recognized by Canada.
Mohawk filmmaker Courtney Montour describes her new documentary on Mary Two-Axe Earley, whose fight for the rights of First Nations women made her a pivotal figure in Canada’s women’s rights movement. Mary garnered the support of influential political figures and women’s rights activists. She led with love, compassion and persistence, something that I see so many of our women carrying with them as they continue this crucial work for sex equality.

Mary Two-Axe Earley (centre) at the Montreal Botanical Garden tree planting ceremony (mid-1970s). Photo courtesy of Rosemary Two Rivers Making “Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again” was a four-year journey that connected me with Mary’s supporters from across the country. I quickly realized that the biggest challenge would be finding audio and visual archives. I was saddened and frustrated to discover that so few images from Mary’s well-documented, more than 20-year fight remained in Canada’s media and archival institutions. This instilled a sense of urgency to bring Mary’s story to the screen for the very first time even more.
Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin, who mentored me on my short doc “Flat Rocks,” gifted me audio recordings she taped with Mary over several months in 1984. They were recorded in Mary’s home, around the kitchen table, where Mary’s advocacy began. They are the roots of the documentary, allowing Mary to tell her story in her own words.

Mary Two-Axe Earley with René Lévesque, Premier of Quebec, at the First Ministers’ Conference on Aboriginal Constitutional Matters, Ottawa (1983). Credit: National Film Board of Canada The film chronicles some of the results of Mary’s work. On June 28, 1985, nearly two decades after Mary began her fight against sex discrimination in the Indian Act, the Parliament of Canada passed Bill C-31, an amendment to restore Indian status to women who had lost it through marriage. The Bill was effective April 17, 1985. And the movement for sex equality continues today: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) cited sex discrimination in the Indian Act as a root cause of violence and discrimination faced by First Nations women in Canada.
As National Indigenous History Month in Canada draws to a close, Canadians and Indigenous communities are grappling with Canada’s failure to properly acknowledge the historical and ongoing genocide of Indigenous Peoples in this country. At the end of May, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation found the remains of 215 children who had been buried in unmarked graves at the site of a former Indian residential school in British Columbia. And searches are being done at other former residential schools. A week later, the Government of Canada released the long-awaited National Action Plan to end violence against Indigenous women and girls. Critics say the government’s plan lacks tangible goals, a detailed timeframe and budget.
I’m reminded of a moment in the film when Mary reflects on the first time she spoke out, at the 1968 Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Ottawa. She worried about the consequences of doing so — of potentially being forced to leave her home and her community. But Mary pushed ahead. She secretly organized and hid on a bus full of women to travel to the Royal Commission. Mary was leading a movement. “In ’68, nobody dare say anything against the Indian Act,” said Mary.
Today we honour the legacy of Mary Two-Axe Earley and all the women who continue to demand sex equality for First Nations women and their children. Her work still has an impact on our lives today, inspiring us to speak out against these injustices and to collectively uplift First Nations women. Mary shows us that our history matters, our women matter and our families matter.
“Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again” is produced and distributed by the National Film Board of Canada and is currently screening on the film festival circuit. In December 2021, the film will be available for educators and teachers via CAMPUS, as well as for community screenings across Canada and will be launched on NFB.ca/ONF.ca for free streaming across Canada in June 2022. Watch the trailer now at https://www.nfb.ca/film/mary-two-axe-earley. For more information on CAMPUS, please visit https://help.nfb.ca/contact-the-nfb/. To book a community screening, please contact Donna Cowan at d.cowan@nfb.ca.
Òn:wa wenhniserá:te' Kanien'kehá:ka karáhstha' Star Horn ioráhston ne Koráhne aó:wen Google Doodle. Wa'tiakononhwerá:ton' ki' ne Mary Two-Axe Earley. Ehtà:ke tiakoká:raton ne Courtney Montour, Kanien'kehá:ka Teióia'ks Iakón:nis. "Mary Two-Axe Earley: Skonkwehón:we Á:re" iakohiá:ton tánon' tiakoniarotáhrhon.

Shontonkwatehiahróntie' shikhehsennaienté:ri ne Mary Two-Axe Earley. Teiakenitsá:ron Kanien'kehá:ka na'teiakeniia'tò:ten' tánon' Kahnawà:ke iontiatehià:ron, ísi' na'kaniatará:ti Tiohtià:ke tkaná:taien. Tióhton iawén:re tewen'niáwe tánon' tióhton niwáhsen ià:ia'k shiiohseratátie' sha'ontóhetste' ne Mary, tánon' nì:'i shitià:tase'. Iah ki' ní: thiewákhe' tó: niió:re' tsi ionkhiia'takéhnhen ne Koráhne. Né: ká:ti' wa'katerihwahténtia'te' ákhsa' kí:ken teióia'ks "Mary Two-Axe Earley: Skonkwehón:we Á:re". Wà:kehrek aonsakerihó:wanahte' tsi niiehsennowá:nen, nè:'e tsi iotkà:te' enhon'nikonhrón:ni' tsi iah thahatiká:raton' tsi niiakoié:ren nó:nen enhatiká:raton' tsi nitiawénhseron ne Koráhne.

Skáhere' ne tewáhsen niiohserá:ke ieiakorihwà:re' ne takaténionke' ne Indian Act kaianerénhsera' né: tsi kà:ron nitionáttehkwe' ne konnón:kwe tsi ní:ioht ne ronnón:kwe ne kaianerenhserá:kon. Tho ki' nontá:we' tsi wa'éhente' ne Koráhne tsi kontirihwáia'ks ne konnón:kwe aotiianerenhsera'shòn:'a aorihwà:ke. Indian Act sha'té:kon iawén:re tewen'niáwe tánon' tsá:ta niwáhsen ià:ia'k nikaianerenhserò:ten' tewanónhtons ónhka onkwehón:we enkénhake' (indian iontatena'tónhkwen) tánon' ónhka enwá:ton' eniontià:taren' ne onkwehón:we raotinakerahserá:kon (Indian Band rotina'tónhkwen). Kakoráhsera' wahshakotiia'tará:ko' ne konnonkwehón:we ne ahshakotiianerenhseráhkhwa' tóka' ahotiniákonke' ne iah tehonnonkwehón:we. Kaianerénhsera' wa'akóhnhe'se' ne konwatiianerenhseráhkhwen konnonkwehón:we tánon' akotiien'okòn:'a ne raonatená:takon ahatinákereke', ahotiia'takehnhahtsheraientà:seronke' tánon' ne akontatshennarà:na' tsi tehonnitiohkwakénnie's. Wa'akó:ia'khse' tsi nahò:ten' ionatstáhkwen ne konnonkwehón:we akontatena'tónhkhwake', tánon' wa'akóhkhwa' tsi niiotirihò:ten'. Tewen'niawe'ékhon tsi nikón:ti ne konnonkwehón:we shé:kon kaianerénhsera' kahsnonhsó:kon tkontiia'tò:ron tánon' iotihrhá:re' ne aonsahshakotiianerenhserawíhon' ne Kakoráhsera'.

É:so iá:kon ne iekó:ra tánon' ierihwáia'ks ne konnón:kwe aotirihwà:ke wa'tkonwatihswanéta' ne Mary. Akwáhs kanoronhkhwahtsherá:kon, atennitenrahtsherá:kon tánon' atkontahkwahtsherá:kon ienenhrí:neskwe'. É:so kón:ti ne konnón:kwe khé:kens ne tho sha'teiotiierenhátie' tsi iotiio'tátie' ne kaianerenhserá:kon sha'taonsahonátteke' ne konnón:kwe tánon' ronnón:kwe.

Kaié:ri niiohserá:ke wakón:ni' ne "Mary Two Axe-Earley: Skonkwehón:we Á:re". Kwah shikón:ni é:so iá:kon ne tekonwatihswanéten ne Mary wa'tiakwatatientéhrha'ne'. Kanakerahserakwé:kon nitiakawenónhseron. Óksa'k wa'kattokáhstsi' tsi né: aonhà:'a entewakentó:ra'se' ne thé:nen iakowennáten tóka' ni' ieia'tarónnion aketshenrión:ko' tsi iontahkwenniaientahkhwa'kó:wa. Onke'nikonhraksà:ten' tánon' onkena'kón:ni' tsi iah é:so tetká:ien ne Mary ieia'tarónnion ne Koráhne tsi iontahkwenniaientahkhwa'kó:wa's ne tká:ra's tánon' ón:kwe ieia'tarónnion. Arohátien tsi kwah tewáhsen niiohserá:ke shakotíhseron tánon' shakoti'nikonhrarátie'skwe'. Thó:ner ki' é:so tsi wa'tewakhsteríha'te' ne aontontié:renhte' taióia'ke' ne Mary akoká:ra'.

Abenaki ionkwehón:we Alanis Obomsawin tetewakerihwahsnie'séhahkwe' shikón:ni ne "Flat Rocks" teióia'ks. Aónha ki' ón:kon' ne Mary iakowennatárion, né: ne tióhton iawén:re tewen'niáwe tánon' sha'té:kon niwáhsen kaié:ri shiiohseratátie' wa'akowennáta' tsi iakoká:raton. Mary tsi tiakonónhsote' tsi iekhonnià:tha' atekhwahrahtsherákta iotiwennáten, tsi ki' kwah nón:we Mary taiontáhsawen' aierihwaia'ákhseke'. Ohtehra'shòn:'a ne thí:ken akokara'shòn:'a, ón:ton' aionkhikaratón:hahse' ne Mary teióia'ks nón:we.

Teióia'ks oh niioieránion ne Mary akoio'ténhsera'. Tewáhsen niiohserá:ke iakorihwáien, ieiakorihwà:re' ne sha'taonsahonátteke' ne ronnón:kwe tánon' konnón:kwe áse'ken Indian Act iakokèn:ron ne konnonkwehón:we. Sok ki' Ohiarí:ha tewáhsen sha'té:kon shiská:rahkwe' tióhton iawén:re tewen'niáwe tánon' sha'té:kon niwáhsen wísk shiiohserá:te' Kakoráhsera' wahatiianerenhseróhetste' ne' Kaianerénhsera' Aón:ton C-31 (Bill C-31). Iehotiiéhston tehotiténion ne kaianerénhsera', són:ton' ne konnonkwehón:we iotiniá:kon tóka' ni' iotiniakòn:ne aonsaiotiianerenhseraientà:seron'. Shé:kon ki' nòn:wa wenhniseraténion iotiianerenhserahskéhnhen ne konnón:kwe sha'taonsahonátteke' tsi ní:ioht ne ronnón:kwe. Kentióhkwa' ne rotirihwisá:kon tánon' rotiri'wanón:ton ne kanakerahserakwé:kon oh niiawèn:'en tsi konwatiia'taié:was tánon' konwanahsehtánion ne konnonkwehón:we tánon' kontiksa'okòn:'a, kí:ken kentióhkwa ohna'kénhaton rotihiá:ton tsi rotirihwatshénrion tsi Indian Act tiorihón:ni tsi konwatikarewahtánions tánon' konwatikenhren'seronniánions ne konnonkwehón:we ne Koráhne nón:we.

Tsi ó:nen iotenhni'to'kta'onhátie' ne Onkwehón:we Akawenhnì:ta' ne Koráhne, Korahró:non tánon' Onkwehón:we shé:kon tehonatatiénhton ne aonsahontate'nikonhrahserón:ni' áse'ken Kakoráhsera' iah orihwí:io tha'tehatirihwa'serákwas oh nihotiieránion tsi niiohseré:son's tánon' né: ó:ni' tsi thahón:nehre' ahshakonáhton'te' nonkwehón:we nok ahatirihwahtòn:thake' ne onkwehón:we tsi nihotirihò:ten's. Tsi ontenhni'tò:kten' ne Onerahtohkó:wa, tsi Tsonontati'kó:wa (British Columbia) nón:we, tsi rontientáhkhwahkwe' ne ronnonkwehón:we ratiksa'okòn:'a, Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc onkwehón:we sahatihstien'tatshenrión:ko' ne tékeni tewen'niáwe tánon' wísk iawén:re nihá:ti ratiksa'okòn:'a thatiia'tatárion, iah tekentstenhró:ton. Sok ki' tsahià:khsera ohnà:ken, Kakoráhsera' tahónhtka'we' ne kanonión:ni ne oh nenkaié:ren ne tóhsa akonwatikarewahtaniónhseke' ne konnonkwehón:we tánon' kontiksa'okòn:'a. Tsi niiá:kon ne iakohiatonhseraka'én:ion nahò:ten thonahtkà:wen ión:ton tsi iah thiekaié:ri tsi ní:ioht tsi karihwahseronniánion ne ahatirihwaié:rite', kátke eh tho nenkaieránionke' tánon' ka' néntewe' ne ohwísta'.

Nè:'e ki' sonkwehiahráhkwen' tsi wa'eká:raton' ne Mary néne tiotierénhton sha'onthró:ri' nahò:ten tiakawehtáhkwen tánon' iah teierihwanòn:we'skwe', tióhton iawén:re tewen'niáwe tánon' ià:ia'k niwáhsen sha'té:kon shiiohserá:te' nen' nè:'e ne Royal Commission ne Kanà:tso nonkwá:ti. Teiako'nikonhrhá:rahkwe' oh naiakoia'tawèn: enke' tóka' aiakotatì:'on áse'ken wate'shennaién:tahkwe' ne ahshakotinakerakwáhtonke' tsi tiakotená:taien. Nek tsi sénha'k ia'ontáthreke'. Karihwahsehtòn:ke iakoterihwahseronníhne ne skátne konnonkwehón:we iakoia'takarénie's akontíta' tánon' akontáhsehte' oh naiá:wen'ne' ne Royal Commission nón:we iakón:newe'. Iakonenhrí:nonhkwe' ne Mary. Iaká:wen, "Né: ne tióhton iawén:re tewen'niáwe tánon' ià:ia'k niwáhsen sha'té:kon shiiohserátie', iah ónhka teiakote'nientèn:'en ne aierihwáia'ke' ne Indian Act."

Òn:wa wenhniserá:te' wa'tiethinonhwerá:ton' ne Mary Two-Axe Earley tánon' akwé:kon tsi nikón:ti ne konnón:kwe shé:kon iotiianerenhserahskéhnhen ne sha'taonsahonátteke' ne konnonkwehón:we tánon' akotiien'okòn:'a raotirihwà:ke. Shé:kon ne òn:wa wenhniseraténion ionkwaia'takehnhenhátie' ne tsi ní:kon iakoio'tèn:'en. Shé:kon ieionkhi'nikonhrà:reks ne aietewarihwaia'ákhseke' kí:ken nahò:ten' iah tekarihwakwaríhsion, tánon' ne enskátne aiethi'nikonhrakará:tate' ne konnonkwehón:we. Mary ionkhina'tón:ni tsi káhsta ne onkwakara'shòn:'a tsi nitiawénhseron, kontiia'tanó:ron ne konnonkwehón:we tánon' onkwahwatsire'shòn:'a.

National Film Board of Canada rotíhson tánon' tehonrenià:tha' ne "Mary Two-Axe Earley: Skonkwehón:we Á:re" teióia'ks, nok nó:nen'k teioia'ákhons tsi nón:we tewaterihwahtentia'tánion ne teioia'ksokòn:'a aionterohrókha'. Nó:nen enská:ra'ne' ne Tsothóhrha' 2021, kí:ken teióia'ks enwá:ton' enhotiientà:seron' ne shakotirihonnién:ni, CAMPUS nón:we enwá:ton' ienhonterò:roke', tánon' tsi kanatakè:ron ó:ni' entkarà:seron' ne Koráhne. Ohiarí:ha 2022 NFB.ca/ONF.ca ne Koráhne nón:we entká:ra'ne', iah thé:nen thaiokaraién:take'. Ken'k ní:kon ia'saterò:rok ne https://www.nfb.ca/film/mary-two-axe-earley nón:we. Tóka' enhséhrheke' ne sénha aiesató:kenhse' nahò:ten' ne CAMPUS, https://help.nfb.ca/contact-the-nfb/ nón:we iahá:se'. Tóka' enhséhrheke' ne saná:takon aontaká:ra'ne', Donna Cowan ia'shehiá:ton's ne d.cowan@nfb.ca nón:we.

Translation credit to Akwiratékha Martin

Celebrating Pride 2021

Friday, June 25, 2021

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Pride in Toronto in remembrance of the February 1981 police raids, Operation Soap, and the first official “Pride Day” later that year on Sunday, June 28th, in Grange Park. We’re celebrating this milestone by shining a spotlight on Queer artists on YouTube and bringing the best Pride parties around the world to Canadian YouTube viewers.

Giving local artists a platform We are honoured to collaborate with Queer Collective, whose mission is to provide accurate representation for every subgroup of the LGBTQ2S+ community with a focus on uplifting local Queer artists in Canada. For this year’s Pride, we are supporting OUT LOUD, Queer Collective’s digital concert series created in collaboration with Conscious Economics. Designed to get Queer artists performing, connecting, growing, and getting paid again - the 2021 OUT LOUD featured artists are Makayla Walker Louboutin, Tafari Anthony, and Your Hunni. Their videos are all live now on Queer Collective’s YouTube channel - check out their performances and show your support.
We’ve also created a Pride playlist to elevate Queer voices, hosted on our YouTube Canada channel.

Celebrating together, from anywhere We will be celebrating Pride Toronto with a livestream of all the festivities on YouTube. You can join in on June 27 at 2pm ET / 11am PT - all the details and so much more are on Pride Toronto’s website.
And globally, YouTube Originals is bringing Pride parties to homes around the world with “YouTube Pride 2021,” a multi-hour, star-studded livestream event celebrating the LGBTQ2S+ community through musical performances, giving challenges, special guests, live moments and much more. Join celebrity emcees Elton John and David Furnish, Demi Lovato, Olly Alexander with Mawaan Rizwan, Trixie Mattel, and Daniel Howell who will each host their Pride party from their respective YouTube channels and encourage viewers to help the LGBTQ2S+ community by raising funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Trevor Project and akt. You can watch the official trailer here and the virtual celebration premieres June 25 at 3pm ET / 12pm PT.
Posted by Sam Reisler, Senior Account Executive and Pride at Google Canada Lead

We’re expanding our support of news in Canada

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Support for Canadian journalism through News Showcase

We have signed agreements with a number of Canadian publishers for Google News Showcase, a product and licensing program that provides a space for newsrooms to curate their content for readers across Google News and Discover. These deals will help support Canadian newsrooms that provide comprehensive general-interest news to the communities they serve. This long-term investment will support news organizations in producing, distributing and explaining essential information to readers. The first Canadian partners for News Showcase are Black Press Media, Glacier Media, The Globe and Mail, Métro Média, Narcity Media, SaltWire Network, Village Media and Winnipeg Free Press.

Together, these eight publishers represent national, regional and local news that touches communities in both official languages from coast-to-coast-to-coast in Canada. Today’s announcement builds on News Showcase deals signed by nearly 800 news publications around the world. More than 90% of these publications represent local or regional news.

Logos of our current News Showcase news partners in Canada

As part of our licensing deals, we’re also paying news organizations for access to select paywalled content, giving Canadians access to a wide range of news content. We work closely with news outlets to determine the right amount of content to share to help drive subscriptions as users experience the benefits of subscribing to authoritative news outlets.

There will be more partnerships to come as we continue to engage in active negotiations with publishers across Canada. We look forward to launching the News Showcase here soon.

Expanded support through Google News Initiative

News Showcase is just one part of our longstanding, overall commitment to the Canadian news industry. Today we are also announcing additional investments through our Google News Initiative, a global effort to help journalism thrive in the digital age:

Training journalists in digital skills: Over the next three years we’ll train 5,000 Canadian journalists and journalism students on strengthening digital skills in newsrooms – a five-times increase from the 1,000 journalists we’ve already trained to date.

Supporting business sustainability: We’ll expand our business-oriented workshops for small and mid-sized news organizations on topics including audience development, reader revenue and advertising revenue. The 10 sessions will be delivered in French and English and build upon our award winning News Consumer Insights tools.

We are introducing our first custom designed GNI Startups Boot Camp dedicated exclusively to aspiring Canadian news entrepreneurs starting a business or non-profit journalism project in Canada. Applications open in the fall.

Promoting news innovation: We are announcing our third North American Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge to fund selected projects focused on helping local publishers think about new ways to understand, enhance and serve the needs of their communities. Applications are now open.

“When the Halifax Examiner joined GNI Startup Labs, I was cautiously optimistic that it would be of value. But the actual experience has been beyond anything I could have dreamed of,” says Tim Bousquet, editor and publisher of the Halifax Examiner. “Thanks to speaking with other media operators struggling to make sense of our industry, and especially thanks to working hand-in-hand with a coach who walked us through our challenges, the Examiner now has a deeper and more fruitful understanding of our business model, the approach to revenue, and how to prepare for the future and grow.”

These new and expanded programs build on our long-term support for Canadian news organizations of all sizes. In 2019 alone, Google sent five billion clicks to Canadian news sites, for free (an estimated half billion dollars in value, according to Deloitte). During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Journalism Emergency Relief Fund directly supported more than 200 different newsrooms across Canada to keep journalists working and Canadians informed.

Today's news represents a shared goal that Google and news publishers in Canada are focused on – long-term success for journalism in Canada. That’s why Google is committed to playing a constructive role alongside publishers to enable a sustainable future for news that Canadians can depend on for years to come.

What publishers are saying about News Showcase

“We are pleased that Google has stepped up to the plate and signed an important partnership with Black Press Media and others,” says Rick O’Connor, CEO and President, Black Press Media, home to some of the most established newspapers in B.C. and Alberta. “There are many other benefits as part of the agreement where Google will assist us in further developing our digital properties. I am pleased to see that Google will also be assisting the small, independent newspapers and websites adapt to an increasing digital world."

“Google News Showcase will help support news in communities across Canada large and small, and increase accessibility to daily content. In addition, Glacier Media and our partners have benefited directly from the Google News Initiative,” says Alvin Brouwer, President Glacier Media Digital, which owns more than 60 community media outlets throughout Western Canada. “Their new initiatives to train more than 5,000 journalists in Canada over the next three years to enhance their digital skills, and to provide business-oriented workshops to small and mid-sized news organizations will also help in communities across the country.”

“Google News Showcase will introduce even more readers to our award-winning journalism and we're pleased to count Google as a global strategic partner,” says Phillip Crawley, CEO & Publisher of The Globe and Mail. “Reaching new audiences and showing them how The Globe can add value to their daily lives is a necessary step in continuing to grow our digital subscriber base, which is the largest in Canada. This long-term, comprehensive partnership will not only support the extraordinary work of our journalists, but it will also help to accelerate our continued investment in technological innovation and improving the reader experience.”

“Our partnership will help enhance our effort to create original local journalistic content and strengthen our mission to give a voice to citizens of Montreal and Quebec City,” says Andrew Mule, president of Métro Média, which owns Journal Métro and local community publications in the Montréal area and in Quebec City. “The GNI training has been a source of inspiration for our teams.”

“An investment like this not only benefits us financially as a publisher to help us recruit talented journalists across the country but also widens our audience distribution by attracting readers that might not have considered Narcity as a daily local news source before,” says Chuck Lapointe, CEO of Narcity Media, one of the fastest-growing digital media publishers for millennials in North America.

"Google News Showcase will highlight our best local content and help put it in front of more people,” says Steve Bartlett, senior managing editor at SaltWire Network, an Atlantic Canadian-based media organization with more than 100 journalists.

“We’re excited to participate in this new project by Google to present fact-based, independent journalism to readers and connect them to trusted sources of news,” says Bob Cox, publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press, a leading news publisher in Western Canada. “It will be a substantial boost to our business, exposing our work to a wider audience and providing a more sustainable, long-term model for local news.”

“We are thrilled to now be working with the Google team as a part of News Showcase, a project we strongly believe will have a positive impact on the future of our local news ecosystem here in Canada,” says Jeff Elgie, CEO, Village Media, a fully-digital news service serving communities across Ontario.

Posted by Sabrina Geremia, VP and Contry Manager, Google Canada

Answering top questions about News Showcase in Canada

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Black Press MediaGlacier MediaGlobe and MailMétro MédiaNarcity MediaSaltWire NetworkVillage MediaWinnipeg Free Press

Logos of our current Canada news partners for Google News Showcase

Read on to find out more about Google News Showcase:

What is Google News Showcase?

Google News Showcase is a product and licensing program that benefits publishers and readers. Readers get more insight on the stories that matter to them with curated story panels across several Google services, including Google’s News and Discover platforms. Participating news publishers will increase their revenue through monthly payments from Google, including for select paywalled content to provide users free access to select stories. Once the product is live in Canada, readers will be able to click on panels and be taken directly to the publisher news site where they can read the full article.

What is the benefit to publishers?

News Showcase helps publishers deepen their relationships with readers by utilizing their branding and voice to present content in a way that’s true to their look and feel. It also adds to the sustainability of news businesses where News Showcase partners receive a monthly fee for curating their articles on News Showcase, and in some cases providing access to select articles behind their paywall so that readers can see the value of becoming subscribers and publishers can build a relationship with readers. In addition to the fee Google pays, News Showcase helps publishers grow their audience and business by directing readers to their site where they can make money by showing ads and offers to subscribe. Ninety percent of the publishers signed up for News Showcase in more than a dozen countries represent local, regional or community newspapers.

Since we launched News Showcase globally, users have followed news publishers more than 400,000 times. We’re looking forward to seeing these new relationships develop even further.

What is the benefit to readers?

Readers of News Showcase get a richer news experience from trusted news organizations and can discover publications covering their interests and the places they care about. News Showcase panels allow readers to dive deeper into a story and see a list of relevant articles updated multiple times per day by their favourite publishers.

What is Google paying for?

Payments are made for the publishers’ curatorial expertise, for beyond-the-paywall access, and to curate content for story panels on Google platforms. Publishers receive monthly fees. News Showcase is not a pay-per-click model. Anything publishers get in terms of additional traffic from story panels or new subscribers is on top of that fee.

Once Google News Showcase is live in Canada, content from Canadian publisher partners in English and French will begin to appear in dedicated News Showcase panels on Google News and on Discover. As part of our licensing agreements, we're also paying participating news organizations to provide readers access to a limited amount of paywalled content. This feature means people are able to read and better understand the type of content a publisher creates for free, before they decide to subscribe.

What features are available in News Showcase?

We’re initially offering four panel layouts that publishers can use to curate their content - bullet points, timeline, rundown (a collection of noteworthy stories of the day) and related articles. This additional context not only allows readers to understand the story better, but also lets them get to know the publisher’s editorial voice and priorities. We’ll have more feature updates coming soon.

A number of publishers are leveraging the extended access feature where Google is paying for free access to select paywalled content. In return, readers register with the publishers, providing a way for them to build a deeper relationship.

Where will News Showcase appear once it’s live in Canada?

The Google News App: Google News Showcase story panels will live in the Google News app. To view, navigate to news.google.com/showcase on mobile and desktop, or download the app. (Android, iOS)

Discover: Google News Showcase panels will also be available on Discover on iOS. Discover appears in the Google Search App on mobile devices. The Google App is preinstalled on Android devices and can be downloaded for iOS here.

Will News Showcase affect the ranking of news publishers on Search and News app?

We don’t give preference to News Showcase content when ranking feeds. Normal ranking principles apply to News Showcase content just as it does for regular content from a publisher. You’ll continue to see the personalized content you’ve come to expect from Google News, but if a participating publisher has opted to create a News Showcase panel featuring an article in your feed, you may see that panel instead of the article.

Alongside today’s partnerships, are you planning to add more publishers in Canada?

These eight partners cover a cross section of media across Canada and represent national, regional and local news that touches communities in both official languages. These deals will help support Canadian newsrooms that provide comprehensive general-interest news to the communities they serve. Over the coming months we will bring more partners onboard and launch the product in the country soon.

We fully recognize Canada’s large and diverse news ecosystem and their varying needs. News Showcase is just one part of our overall commitment to the Canadian news ecosystem. We’ve announced we're expanding our Google News Initiative efforts in Canada and introducing several new programs to help journalists get new digital skills and help contribute to the sustainability of news organizations.

We will continue the constructive relationship we have built with the news industry, and work with everyone — including journalists, news outlets, news associations to build the future of news together. See what other publishers are saying.

Posted by Sabrina Geremia, VP and Country Manager, Google Canada

Expanding Support for Underrepresented Founders

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Google for Startups Accelerator: Black Founders and Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders are now open for applications!

Last year, we announced the inaugural Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders program, for women-led startups in North America. Like our other accelerators, the program was designed to help startups identify and solve technical challenges and grow their business. But this cohort also received tailored programming to address some of the longstanding barriers that women-led startups face. This year, we are thrilled to once again open applications for the program until July 19.
And as we look ahead to our second year of programming for Canadian startups, we are expanding our commitment to underrepresented founders by introducing the Google for Startups Accelerator: Black Founders program to North America. Applications are open now until July 9.
Acknowledging barriers
Founders from diverse communities remain underrepresented in the tech startup ecosystem because they often lack the resources required to launch their business. But the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified structural barriers and disproportionately impacted underrepresented groups.
Additionally, Black founders face a host of longstanding inequities that create challenges for launching their startups. Research has shown that Black-led businesses lack equitable access to funding, personal development and mentorship opportunities.
Women founders are often connected at the peer level within their ecosystems, but they too lack access to venture capitalist funding and accelerator programs. A recent report showed women-led startups only received 2.3% of global venture capitalist funding in 2020, and this fell from 2.8% the year before.
Tailored Programming
Our two accelerator programs for underrepresented founders aim to support the unique needs of these groups through tailored programming. In addition to mentorship and technical project support, the programs will also include deep dives and workshops focused on product design, customer acquisition, and leadership development for founders. Participants will also hear from a roster of speakers and facilitators who deliver both technical and nontechnical programming through the lens of their communities.
Helping Founders Succeed
As we expand our support for the startup ecosystem, we want to continue to create opportunities and bridge the gap for underrepresented founders to succeed. 2021 is the first year the Google for Startups Accelerator: Black Founders is open to applicants across North America. Applications are open until July 9, and you can apply here. Women-led startups can apply for our second Google for Startup Accelerator: Women Founders here by July 19.
We are excited to kick-off another round of North American Accelerator programs, and encourage Canadian startups to apply!
Posted by Ashley Francisco, Head of Startup Developer Ecosystem, Google Canada

Our work to help get 25,000 Canadian small businesses online over the past year

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Digital Main Street’s ShopHERE powered by GoogleDumpling’s Treats

Susan’s journey is one of the many inspiring small business stories we’ve heard over the past year. This week, Google is celebrating and supporting small businesses around the world during our second annual International Small Business Week, and we’re taking a moment to reflect on one year of ShopHERE powered by Google, helping small businesses across Canada get online.

ShopHERE was launched last April by Digital Main Street (TABIA) and the City of Toronto to help independent businesses, entrepreneurs and artists build a digital presence and minimize the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Last May, Google Canada announced a one million dollar commitment to scale the program and ShopHERE powered by Google was born. In the weeks to follow, FedDev Ontario and the Ontario Provincial government announced a $57M investment to expand the program across Ontario, offering more businesses like Susan’s the opportunity to build an online store.

We’re excited to share that to date, 25,000 Canadian businesses have signed up for the program, including 64% that identify as women and 33% that identify as BIPOC. Additionally, over 780 university and college students and grads have been hired to build websites for the businesses, with 54% identifying as female and 75% as BIPOC. This comes at a time when consumers across the country are rallying behind small businesses. Google searches for “support local businesses” have grown by more than 20,000% since last year. For the businesses, the program had a tremendous impact on their ability to stay afloat and reach customers beyond the traditional main street.

But it’s not just the businesses that are benefiting. ShopHERE powered by Google hired university and college students to build the online stores for the participating small businesses. Students like Vanessa Rodrigues, who claims the program’s thorough training and onboarding allowed her to build an incredibly wide digital skill set, like learning about branding, how to create websites on e-commerce platforms, and how to train businesses on digital marketing. Vanessa has been able to walk away with a new set of digital skills and connections with a number of businesses, providing a foot in the door for future opportunities.

As businesses and communities reopen and recover, we know online shopping behaviours are here to stay -- 42% of Canadian shoppers want to check inventory online prior to going to the store and 41% of Canadian shoppers get ideas and inspiration for purchases online1. So as we look to recovery, it’s more important than ever that businesses continue to build out their online presence. Eligible businesses are still able to sign up for the ShopHERE powered by Google program, and can get helpful tips and tricks to expand online from Google for Small Business. Check out this blog to hear from a few of the Canadian businesses that participated in the program over the past year.
Posted by Sabrina Geremia, VP and Country Manager, Google Canada and Darryl Julott, Managing Lead, Digital Main Street
1 Google commissioned Ipsos COVID-19 Tracker, Canada, n=1000 online consumers 18+ per market. May 20-23, 2021

Meet eight Canadian small businesses from the ShopHERE powered by Google program

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

reflectShopHERE powered by Google programregister

As part of the festivities, we’ll be highlighting inspirational small business stories, including a new video spot featuring Rugs by Roo, a Vancouver-based sustainable rug business. And, on Thursday June 24th, we’ll also be hosting the first ever YouTube Small Biz Day, where you can shop from 20 unique small businesses across Canada and the U.S. live on YouTube, including ChopValue, Malleable Jewellers, Rugs by Roo, and more.

Read on for the inspiring stories of small business owners supported by the ShopHERE powered by Google program

Beads Bangles & Bows - Windsor, ON Five years ago, Alyssa Trumic started Beads, Bangles & Bows, where she brought her love for painting, creating and jewelry making to life. She would sell her handcrafted products as a ‘side job’ at local markets and art shows in the Windsor area. But when the pandemic hit, and she lost her job in the restaurant industry, Alyssa decided to make her side job a full time business. She didn’t have a website or online presence at that point, but came across the program at just the right time. Alyssa credits the program for not just building her website, but coaching her along the way, advising her on the layout and style, and providing ongoing workshops that added rigor, concrete goals and business objectives to follow.

Cultivate - Toronto, ON

Francesca Serwaa started her business as a counselling service in 2019, serving the Black community with mental health and addiction challenges. When the pandemic hit, she figured people needed something beyond therapy - and set out on a mission to create a business with a variety of self care products. CultiVate is a wellness lifestyle brand with products essential to your self care. It was inspired by Black millennials looking to connect within themselves, and it also aims to modernize Afrocentric healing practices. Francesca has been selling online since October.

Doodle Lovely - Halifax, NS

Melissa Lloyd started Doodle Lovely in 2016, following 20+ years in the corporate industry. After working nonstop, she was burnt out and stressed, so began using doodling as a tool for calm and mindfulness. When she realized the power of doodling, she knew she wanted to bring this to the rest of the world. With Doodle Lovely, Melissa sells stationery, pens and products for the home, but also provides guided doodling practices, called ‘Doodle Breaks.’ Once COVID hit, Melissa knew she needed to elevate her online presence - so she signed up for the program, and with her new website, her sales have grown 200%.

Dumpling’s Treats - Toronto, ON

For the past three years, Susan Lee-Macdonald has been making homemade treats for her dog Dumpling out of her kitchen in Toronto. When the pandemic hit and she began spending more time around the house, she started sharing Dumpling’s treats with other furry friends in the neighborhood. Soon enough, the dogs were starting to drag their owners back to Susan’s house for their daily snack. As popularity for the canine treats grew in her community, Susan decided to take a leap, joined the program and created Dumpling’s Treats, an online business where she sells one ingredient, human-grade dog treats.

Momma Bears Boutique - Dartmouth, NS

Erin Dawe always had a dream to open up a boutique. After losing her job during the pandemic - she accelerated the timeline, and set out to make this a reality in 2020. However, she knew that in order to succeed during the pandemic, she’d have to build out her digital presence as much as her in-store. Erin got her business online and says she could not have done it without the program. Prior to joining, she tried a number of different e-commerce platforms, but could not bring her vision to life. She credits the program for not just setting up the backend of the website, but also taught her how to use both the back and front end herself. So now, she’s been able to make changes, add a gift registry and add subscriptions all by herself.

Play.Full.Goods - Hamilton, ON Denise Mayer worked as a kids fashion designer for many years, but unfortunately lost her job at the beginning of the pandemic. This reset period gave her an opportunity to live out a longtime dream - to start her own children’s boutique. She started slowly, selling children’s quilts through social media and word of mouth. As her business started gaining momentum, Denise knew she needed a website so her brand could have it’s own home. Denise was appreciative of the one-to-one training and support the program provided -- she wasn’t just handed a website and left to figure it out on her own. Rather, the program taught her how to make the website work for her business, and built her confidence and ability to manage the site on her own. Within two weeks of launching the site, Denise had over 3,000 people visit her website.

Rezn Artstudio - Windsor, ON Prior to the pandemic, Rezwana Islam spent a lot of time day dreaming of starting a handmade business. When the pandemic hit, she started to source materials, price her products and build out her business values. Initially, she wanted to sell her items in boutique shops and local art fairs, but with the pandemic putting that to a halt, she joined the ShopHERE powered by Google program to build a website. Rezwana particularly appreciated how helpful her student coordinator was - he went above and beyond to answer her questions, move the website along at a quick pace, and suggest ideas for her website, all while staying true to Rezwana’s vision.

Stagg & Paper Interiors - Hamilton, ON

Margaret Stagg is a registered interior designer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. When the pandemic hit and she was faced with a slow-down in the workplace and changing family needs, she knew that the natural next step was to take the leap and start her own interior design practice. Her firm is rooted in the fundamental principle that home is where we start. Over the past year the COVID pandemic has created a deeper connection for many to their home and resulted in a boom in residential renovations. Margaret knew she needed a visual presence (website), to bring her vision to life, but she did not have the expertise to get started with building a website. She joined the program, and credits the program for not just helping her build a website, but helping to create clarity for her business and a clear plan of what she wanted to achieve moving forward.

Posted by Sabrina Geremia, VP and Country Manager, Google Canada and Darryl Julott, Managing Lead, Digital Main Street

#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund Now Open to Canadian Creators

Monday, June 21, 2021

Canadian YouTube creators who identify as Black can now apply for the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund here.

Last year, we announced the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund, as part of our commitment to supporting racial equity. The multi-year global initiative is dedicated to amplifying the stories and experiences of Black creators and artists on YouTube. Today we are thrilled to announce that the fund is now open to Black Canadian creators on YouTube.

The beauty of YouTube is its ability to connect creators and users from around the world, helping people share their stories and experiences with others. It not only provides a platform for connection but opportunities to listen and learn from diverse voices.

The #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund was created to support the Black creator community and amplify their voices. Grantees receive dedicated support from a Youtube Partner Manager, and seed funding for content creation. They attend workshops and masterclasses on cultivating new content ideas, video production skills, wellbeing, and more. They also get exclusive access to social and community programmes.

Its inaugural year, more than 130 grantees from countries including the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Kenya participated. It included creators from across categories like music, lifestyle, education, activism and more. Aysha Harun, a Black, Muslim, beauty and lifestyle creator from Canada, now living in the U.S., was part of the class of 2021.

“My experience has been great so far,” Aysha said. “The grant has allowed me to reinvest in my channel by hiring an editor, and bringing on an assistant to my team. The incubators have given me early access to features that keep me ahead of the game in terms of optimization. I’ve had more opportunities with partners to participate in panels and speaking engagements. And I’ve had complete autonomy with the grant, which makes my life as a creator a lot less stressful.”

Over the next few years, the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund will support 500+ creators and artists from around the world. We are thrilled to extend the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund to Canadian creators this year.

Applications are now open for the Class of 2022. Canadian creators who identify as Black are encouraged to apply here by July 11.

STEAMing Ahead in 2021 - A full day of online learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics for Grade 3-12

Thursday, June 17, 2021

In collaboration with Google Canada, Cobblestone Collective celebrated all things STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) with a full day of virtual learning, giving students a window into new worlds and teachers a chance to co-teach with technology experts. We hosted 5,800+ classes across Canada who dove straight in and explored CS First, Applied Digital Skills, art, and more!

Google Canada strives to excite and educate students and their teachers in STEM as a catalyst for empowering the future. This full-day virtual student conference was created to support educators, students, and families after a difficult school year. More than this, it was a day of celebration and exploring various topics within STEAM to inspire creation and not just consumption of technology.

Powered by Google Canada with Canadian Googlers volunteering their time, classes chose from 20 or 45-minute co-taught sessions allowing students the space to problem-solve, think critically, and create, all while exploring how these skills come into play in the workplace. Sessions were in English with some offered in French. More than 30 Canadian Googlers joined the lessons throughout the day and shared their love for learning, coding and so much more.

All of the sessions are recorded, allowing accessibility across time-zones and class schedules. To date, there are 154K, and growing, views on the combined sessions.

STEAMing Ahead 2021 was on May 25th, 2021, and was full of learning for students, in Grade 3 to 12 classes, across Canada (and beyond). If you missed the learning day but would still like to explore the learning materials, we have a handy playlist of the recorded videos to use with your students and resources to support that learning below. Happy viewing and keep on learning!

Entire Playlist:
https://thecc.page/STEAMingAheadPlaylist

Individual Videos:

Posted by Michelle Armstrong and Emily Fitzpatrick, Co-Founders of The Cobblestone Collective and Sandy Currie, STEM Program Manager at Google Canada

Official Canada Blog