The Independent Press Gallery of Canada (IPG) strongly condemns the continued mistreatment and police intimidation of independent journalists by the Liberal Party—this time at the direct request of the campaign of Prime Minister Mark Carney.
This week, two Rebel News journalists were once again forcibly removed from a Carney campaign event by police officers. Despite conducting themselves professionally, the reporters were told they were being removed solely at the request of the campaign. This marks the second time in mere days that Liberal figures have weaponized police to deter independent reporting.
Just days earlier, Liberal candidate Thomas Keeper was exposed for filing a false police report against an IPG journalist, Keean Bexte, covering his campaign—an incident that the IPG also publicly condemned.
Prime Minister Carney has a duty to uphold the spirit of the Charter’s right to freely report. But instead, he is using police resources to suppress critical coverage. This is not only undemocratic—it is dangerous.
The ability to question and scrutinize elected officials and political hopefuls is not optional in a democracy—it is essential.
The Carney campaign must immediately end its practice of excluding and ejecting journalists based on political bias. The Canadian public has the right to hear from all voices in the media—not just those that echo Liberal talking points.
Sheila Gunn Reid
President, Independent Press Gallery of Canada