Google says it will pass on the cost of the Liberal government91裸聊视频檚 digital services tax to advertisers.

The company says it will implement a 2.5 per cent surcharge for ads displayed in Canada, starting in October.

91裸聊视频淒igital service taxes increase the cost of digital advertising,91裸聊视频� a Google spokesperson said in a statement. They said the 91裸聊视频渟urcharge is to cover part of the costs associated with complying91裸聊视频� with the tax.

The tax, approved in Parliament in June, will add a three per cent levy on foreign tech giants that generate revenue from Canadian users.

A trade group representing Canadian advertisers has warned other companies could follow Google91裸聊视频檚 lead.

91裸聊视频淭his will increase the cost of running ads on Google and will likely spur similar action on the part of other platforms if they decide to follow suit,91裸聊视频� the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada said on its website last week.

The digital services tax has drawn opposition from trade associations and business groups in the United States, where many of the tech giants are based.

The Computer and Communications Industry Association, which represents big tech companies including Amazon, Apple and Uber, previously called on U.S. President Joe Biden91裸聊视频檚 administration to take formal steps under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The Information Technology Industry Council, whose membership includes Google, Meta, Apple and Amazon, also urged the Biden administration to 91裸聊视频渋mmediately address Canada91裸聊视频檚 measure that targets U.S. companies and attempts to ring-fence the digital economy.91裸聊视频�

It said in a statement last month the tax 91裸聊视频渟ends a damaging blow91裸聊视频� to Canada91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频減artnership with allies, the business community and Canadian consumers who will likely bear the burden of this tax.91裸聊视频�

The Office of the United States Trade Representative said in July it is open to using all available tools to halt the tax.

The Google spokesperson said Thursday the company would 91裸聊视频渃ontinue to pay all the taxes due in Canada and elsewhere, and we encourage governments globally to focus on international tax reform rather than implementing unilateral levies.91裸聊视频�

The Liberals first promised the tax in the 2019 election, when the Conservatives and NDP also pledged a similar measure.

The levy was then delayed for years due to global efforts to establish a broader, multinational taxation plan. But following significant delays to that process at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Canada went ahead with its own tax.

Other countries have brought in similar tools to tax the profits of large multinational companies in the digital sector.

A spokeswoman for Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada91裸聊视频檚 preference has always been a multilateral agreement.

91裸聊视频淐anada strongly supports international efforts to end the corporate tax race to the bottom and to ensure that all corporations, including the world91裸聊视频檚 largest corporations, pay their fair share,91裸聊视频� Katherine Cuplinskas said in a statement.

91裸聊视频淭he Canadian government has been clear for several years that it would move forward with its own digital services tax if a global agreement is not reached. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, repeated deadlines to reach an international agreement have come and gone.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频� With files from Kelly Geraldine Malone in Washington, D.C.

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press