Canada’s attempts to challenge Big Tech have backfired, revealing that politicians need platforms like Facebook more than Facebook needs them. The leaders leading the charge against Meta and Google’s response to the Online News Act came across as laughable. The act, also known as Bill C-18, aims to force tech giants to subsidize news organizations that are struggling in the digital age. However, Meta has made it clear that once the act is in effect, Facebook and Instagram will no longer be involved in news, preventing users from sharing news links. Google is still trying to find a compromise but has announced that Canadian news links will no longer appear via its search engine. Both companies have emphasized that their funding for Canadian journalism will come to an end. This outcome was predictable due to Bill C-18’s flawed “pay for links” model, which creates an unlimited financial liability for tech companies. Despite the severe consequences for news organizations, Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had little response. The government’s decision to suspend ad buys on Facebook was overshadowed by the Liberal Party’s confirmation that it would continue to advertise with the platform. Trudeau’s comparison of this situation to being at war was met with ridicule. Ultimately, the government’s actions have shown that Rodriguez and Trudeau do not have a winning strategy in their battle against Big Tech.