Google registered to lobby about online safety and artificial intelligence in Manitoba following the province’s plan to regulate social media use among children.

The Google Canada Corporation registered on May 4, about a week after Premier Wab Kinew’s announcement in April that his government would ban social media and AI chat bots for youth 16 and under.

The company registered again on Sept. 22, a week before the Manitoba Legislative Assembly resumed for its fall sitting, according to the IJF’s Lobbying Registrations database.

Both of Google’s registrations were to discuss online safety policy and AI including “the regulation of AI by government, investment in AI by government, and the promotion of AI training and skills development.”

The lobbyists are targeting Kinew’s policy manager Michael Pereira, according to the province’s registry.

Google says its lobbying goals are to influence an amendment, passage or defeat of a bill or resolution before the Legislative Assembly, as well as influence the development of a legislative proposal, among other interests.

Manitoba doesn’t require lobbyists to publicly report individual communications with the government, so exact details on when, with whom or how much they communicated isn’t publicly available.

The province hasn’t announced a date for when the youth social media ban will begin or what exactly it will entail. The province says it will consult education sector partners to finalize guidelines in the coming months.

The IJF asked the province for comment on how Google’s interests may shape legislation for the ban and if it plans to implement it this year, but did not hear back before publishing.

The Manitoba government began consulting with residents in March about “modernizing data privacy laws” as they apply to AI and establishing “clear, practical rules for the responsible AI use.”

Google has been lobbying the federal government for similar reasons. In June, Canada introduced a bill restricting youth social media use called the Safe Social Media Act, or Bill C-34.

The act focuses specifically on seven types of harmful content it aims to shield youth from, including that which may sexually victimize a child, contribute to self-harm, bullying or incite hatred.

Google’s federal communications log shows its lobbyists have communicated with Canadian officials 27 times since the beginning of August, 20 of which focused on children’s online safety or AI.

Ten of the communications specifically covered Bill C-34, while two communications concerned general online safety, including that of children, and one other focused on the Protecting Victims Act “as it relates to youth safety online.”

Google also reported seven communications about AI and its potential regulation by the federal government, among other subjects like investments in AI and the technology's potential uses by Canada.

A Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement to the IJF that the company is “committed to working with policy makers and other experts to establish higher safety standards for all platforms, so parents can have the confidence and control to choose better, safer online experiences for their children.”

Doctors in Manitoba “overwhelmingly believe” social media poses a significant health and well-being risk for children. A survey of more than 240 physicians by Doctors Manitoba found over 90 per cent were in support of restricting youths’ access to social media and AI chatbots.

Manitoba banned students from using cellphones in classrooms in 2024, though students in Grades 9 to 12 are allowed to use the devices during breaks and lunch periods.

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