Leaders' Debate Commission Faces Criticism After Alleged Media Conflict

The scheduled question-and-answer session following Thursday night's leaders’ debate was abruptly cancelled just minutes before it was set to occur. This decision stemmed from a confrontation involving staff from the right-wing media outlet, Rebel News, and other journalists, leading the Leaders’ Debate Commission to conclude that a suitable environment for the session could not be guaranteed.

This cancellation adds to the growing concerns regarding the Leaders' Debate Commission's handling of media accreditation and debate logistics, especially after it controversially excluded the Green Party at the last minute. Critics have pointed out that granting press credentials to several right-leaning reporters, including those from Rebel News, has skewed the media dynamics in favor of those outlets, which have dominated recent press interactions.

Michel Cormier, the executive director of the commission, stated that legal constraints prevent them from denying accreditation to certain media outlets, even those like Rebel News, which have been accused of engaging in practices that do not meet conventional journalistic standards. He explained that previous Federal Court rulings mandate the commission to accredit such journalists, regardless of their biases or the content they produce.

During previous elections, the commission had withheld accreditation from Rebel News and True North due to their advocacy roles, but they were later granted injunctions enabling them to cover events. This cycle of legal and media interactions highlights the complicated relationship these organizations maintain with the commission and the broader journalistic landscape.

On the day of the cancelled session, Rebel News claimed credit for securing accreditation for a substantial number of its staff, asserting that the commission's requirement for accreditation was purely based on whether they produced news content relevant to political affairs. However, Rebel has also openly confessed to engaging in advocacy journalism, leading to questions about the legitimacy and integrity of their coverage.

A notable incident also occurred when a confrontation arose between Rebel News personnel and a reporter from The Hill Times, prompting intervention from law enforcement. Cormier briefly discussed matters with Ezra Levant, the founder of Rebel News, which Levant later described as reaching "common ground." He suggested that the independent nature of some journalists may have contributed to the tensions observed during the post-debate press sessions.