The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Aug. 22, edition that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused Facebook owner Meta of blocking Canadians' access to news as wildfires rage. A triple bylined item in The Globe reports that on Monday the PM sharply criticized Meta for its response to the government's Online News Act while people are fleeing their homes and seeking updates about spreading fires in B.C. and the Northwest Territories. Mr. Trudeau said access to local news is "unbelievably essential" to keep people informed about such things as evacuation orders. The PM said the tech giant was "putting corporate profits ahead of people's safety, ahead of supporting quality local journalism." He added that the Online News Act was designed to ensure that local journalists are paid fairly "for keeping Canadians informed on things like wildfires." Mr. Trudeau said, "It's time for us to expect more from corporations like Facebook that are making billions of dollars off of Canadians." B.C.'s Premier David Eby is also calling on Meta to reverse its decision to block Canadians' news access, saying it feels like the social media company is holding the province "ransom" in its spat with Ottawa.