Independent Press Gallery of Canada (IPG) is rebuking Liberal leadership contender Mark Carney for barring independent journalists from his campaign events, calling the move a direct threat to press freedom.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the IPG criticized Carney for shutting out news media that are not part of the publicly funded legacy media, warning that it undermines open political discourse and harms democratic principles.
On January 16 in Edmonton, reporters from True North, Western Standard, and Counter Signal were denied entry to Carney’s campaign launch, even though they held valid invitations.
Among those barred was Western Standard journalist James Snell, an accredited member of the Alberta Legislative Press Gallery.
Police, acting at the campaign’s request, escorted the excluded journalists away.
This pattern continued on March 4 in Calgary, where journalists from the Western Standard and Rebel News were excluded again.
According to the IPG, Carney’s actions run contrary to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which enshrines fundamental freedoms such as press freedom.
While Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre welcomes both mainstream and independent reporters, Carney’s restrictive approach contradicts a foundational principle of democracy, according to the IPG.
The group is urging his campaign to respect the rights of all journalists by granting them free access to events and unfettered opportunities to question him.
“The Independent Press Gallery calls on Mark Carney’s campaign to cease these undemocratic practices immediately and to permit independent journalists to attend, report, and ask questions freely, as is their right in a true democracy,” said IPG President Sheila Gunn Reid.
“We also urge all political campaigns, regardless of party affiliation, to respect press freedom and ensure open access to their events.”
Carney’s team has not yet responded to requests for comment on what the IPG calls “disturbing efforts to silence critical media voices.”