We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

How to Access News on Google and Social Media in Canada

Ernest Sheptalo Fact-checked by Ryan Jones Senior Writer

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. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Access News With ExpressVPN >>

Quick Guide: How to Access News on Google and Social Media in Canada in 3 Easy Steps

  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free >>

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Best VPNs to Access News on Google and Social Media in Canada — Updated in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Fastest VPN for Watching News Videos on Social Media In Canada

Best Feature Fast speeds and powerful security to safely and quickly access news on social media in Canada
Server Network 3,000 servers in 105 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
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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.

Screenshot of ExpressVPN successfully unblocking news outlets on social media in CanadaI 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 48% 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.

ExpressVPN Offer October 2024: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 48% off! Don't miss out!

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 11,690 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
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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.

Screenshot of CyberGhost's Smart Rules menu.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.

October 2024 Deal: CyberGhost is currently offering 83% off its most popular plan! Take advantage of this offer now and save more on your CyberGhost subscription.

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 91 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
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process.

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.

Screenshot of PIA's server networkThe 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 $2.19/month when you opt for a long-term subscription and all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

October 2024 Update: PIA doesn't usually have deals or discounts (it's already so affordable), but right now you can get a new subscription for a crazy 82% off!

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.

Access News With PIA >>

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.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs to Access News on Google and Social Media in Canada...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 48% off.

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We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

Ernest Sheptalo is a Senior Writer at vpnMentor, and an expert in the field of VPNs. Ernest creates detailed reviews, comparisons, and guides that assist people in navigating the web safely, protecting their online data from theft.

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