The Independent Press Gallery (IPG) condemns the Parliamentary Press Gallery (PPG) for barring Calibre Magazine, Canada’s largest firearms publication, from attending the Trudeau government’s March 7 gun ban announcement, led by Associate Minister of Public Safety Rachel Bendayan.
Despite requesting access well in advance, Calibre Magazine was ignored. When they followed up by phone, officials stalled, claiming they needed approval from a manager—who was conveniently unavailable. Then, just 15 minutes before the press conference, they were told to complete an arbitrary accreditation form, while officials admitted they had already researched the publication and its social media presence.
On X, Calibre Magazine stated:
“I would have loved to ask some questions during today’s announcement but unfortunately the Parliamentary Press Gallery refused to give me access. They asked me to fill out a form I couldn’t possibly complete in time, and then said they’ve googled my company, and seen my X account. So I said, ‘Then why do you need this form?'”
This blatant exclusion follows a growing pattern of press censorship under the Liberal government. The PPG has repeatedly blocked independent journalists from accessing press conferences held on the Parliamentary Precinct, ensuring only select media maintain exclusive access to politicians and officials. Independent outlets like Rebel News and True North have also been denied access to government events, allowing the PPG to shield politicians from tough questions.
By barring Calibre Magazine, the PPG ensured that the stakeholders most affected by this gun ban—firearms owners, retailers, and legal gun users—were excluded from the conversation. The IPG calls for an immediate end to these exclusionary practices and demands transparent, apolitical accreditation for all journalists.
Sheila Gunn Reid
President, Independent Press Gallery of Canada