Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the Parliamentary Press Gallery as "highly undemocratic," claiming it is dominated by media outlets that receive federal subsidies.
Blacklock's Reporter says his comments come after a 2019 court ruling that found the Gallery and House of Commons administration had unfairly blacklisted two news organizations using secretive accreditation guidelines.
“Independent media should be allowed on the precinct,” Poilievre said in an interview with Juno News. “There is no reason why it should be a small cabal of government-approved mouthpieces. It is highly undemocratic.”
Poilievre argued that the current system limits diverse viewpoints. “When I hold a press conference, it’s just Liberal media who are there to attend,” he said.
“I would love to see a scenario where every different kind of journalist from all backgrounds, of all opinions, is given a chance to report on what happens on the Hill.”
His remarks followed the 2019 decision to deny accreditation to Rebel News Network and the True North Centre for Public Policy at that year’s televised leaders' debates. Federal Court Justice Russel Zinn overturned the ban, calling it “troubling,” “procedurally unfair,” and lacking “discernible rationality and logic.”
In an affidavit, Rebel News alleged that the Gallery’s governance raised serious conflicts of interest. “The government-influenced Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery governing access to official Ottawa media availabilities has outright banned Rebel News,” it stated.
Gallery accreditation decisions are made behind closed doors by an executive committee, where a majority of members currently represent CBC and Canadian Press. Of the 46 media companies accredited, 39 receive federal grants and subsidies.
Blacklock’s Reporter is the only accredited independent news agency that neither accepts nor solicits federal funding.
The Western Standard also doesn't accept any media bailout cash.
In 2021, the Gallery passed a motion requiring new members to disclose financial conflicts of interest and “any form of sponsorship.”
However, it rejected a Blacklock’s request that existing members be held to the same standard. The outlet was later banned from the National Press Building, a decision that is now the subject of an Ontario Superior Court case.