Right-wing media including Rebel News dominate post-debate news conferences

After Wednesday’s French-language leaders’ debate, the question-and-answer sessions with federal party leaders were dominated by Rebel News and other right-wing media outlets. Despite not all of them receiving answers to their questions, they managed to get their voices heard.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney was the first leader to face questions from the media after the debate, which took place at CBC/Radio-Canada in Montreal. The news conference was overseen by the Leaders’ Debate Commission, an independent body responsible for setting criteria for party leaders to participate in the event. While the debate was hosted at a CBC/Radio-Canada building, the public broadcaster was not involved in organizing the Q&A sessions that followed.

Media members lined up to ask questions in two rows, one for English questions and one for French questions. Right-wing media outlets were successful in getting questions to each of the leaders. Carney fielded questions from reporters from Juno News and True North, with the latter asking about the number of genders and the rights of biological women to their own spaces.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, on the other hand, refused to answer questions from Rebel News representatives, citing their spread of disinformation. Rebel News had put legal pressure on the commission to grant them greater access, and ultimately succeeded in covering the debates.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who followed Singh, did take questions from Rebel News. He emphasized his party’s commitment to freedom of the press and free speech, stating that Canadians have the right to access the media they choose. Poilievre’s availability to media during the election campaign has been scrutinized, with reporters having limited opportunities to ask questions.

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet was also questioned by a Rebel News representative about pipelines, to which he responded by emphasizing the need to reduce oil consumption. The presence of right-wing media outlets at the debate raised questions about the exclusion of the Green Party, which was disinvited from participating due to not meeting certain criteria set by the Leaders’ Debates Commission.

Former Harper official Dimitri Soudas called for the dismantling of the Leaders’ Debates Commission, suggesting that broadcasters should take over again. He criticized the handling of the Green Party situation and the dominance of one news organization in the questioning of leaders.

The French-language debate was rescheduled to avoid a conflict with a Montreal Canadiens hockey game, showcasing the recognition of Canadians’ passion for sports. The party leaders are set to face off in an English-language debate on Thursday, where more questions and discussions are expected to take place.