The Bank of Canada has an enemies list of hated media outlets, says Blacklock’s Reporter..That’s in direct contravention of an order from Justin Trudeau..Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem’s director of communications said blacklisted media outlets like Blacklock’s were prohibited from questioning bankers while friendly reporters may call for tips on how to cover the news..“Oh, is this on the record?” Paul Badertscher, the bank spokesman, said when asked for an explanation..“I have no comment.”.Badertscher made the remarks Friday while preparing for a bank videoconference. Unaware of an open microphone, Badertscher explained to federal regulators that certain reporters were blacklisted from asking questions..“There’s a couple here who I absolutely — I’ll check the list to make sure he’s not listening — absolutely not keen to give questions to,” said Badertscher..“I do not want to be in a situation where we are allowing Blacklock’s to be asking us. So, yes, that’s where we’re at.”.Badertscher did not name the other news organization banned from asking questions. A total 23 media organizations attended the videoconference..The remarks were made to Deputy Bank Governor Toni Gravelle and Ben Gully, assistant superintendent of banks..“We have our usual suspects and then we have a lot of other folks like The Narwhal, the National Observer, and on the other side Investment Executive asked to come in as well,” said Badertscher..“So we will have a lot of people.”.Badertscher explained other media were given preferential treatment..One Bloomberg News reporter, Theophilos Argitis, called to ask how to cover the bank’s announcement, he said..“So, couple of quick updates,” said Badertscher..“There have been not a lot in terms of questions, in fact very little. I’ve got — Theo Argitis gave me a call, just to sort of do the, ‘Hey, what’s my lede here?’ You know, as a former colleague of mine –.“And I basically just told him, you know, look, you know, all we’re doing here — you know, there may not be the kind of news that you are expecting or that a wire’s expecting here, but what we are doing here is just trying to — it’s our way of underlining the importance of the issue for the financial sector, and it’s us giving financial institutions the tools to move forward,” said Badertscher..“So that’s what I told him. He hadn’t gone through the scenarios yet. I suspect he’ll head there. I just had a reporter from The Logic looking for the raw data for the scenarios and I don’t know if that’s possible — “.An unidentified voice interrupted: “Paul, I think we have a journalist on the line with us right now.”.“We do,” replied Badertscher..“I have got to get you to drop. Don’t admit people, please.”.Cabinet in a December 16 Ministerial Mandate letter cautioned federal employees had a duty to act professionally in dealing with reporters and the public..“Canadians continue to rely on journalists and journalism for accurate and timely news,” said the prime minister’s letter..“I expect you to maintain professional and respectful relationships with journalists to ensure Canadians are well informed.”.Cabinet went further in a 2015 Mandate letter that pledged to “set a higher bar for openness and transparency in government,” including taking questions..“Members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, indeed all journalists in Canada and abroad are professionals who by asking necessary questions contribute in an important way to the democratic process. Your professionalism and engagement with them is essential.”
