TORONTO, Canada – The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) is deeply concerned about the increasing and persistent restrictions governments, public officials, and other political actors are placing on journalists in Canada.
In recent weeks, the CAJ has noted that journalists from multiple news organizations have either been barred from covering events, threatened, or had unjust restrictions based on their ability to pose questions to politicians.
“Democratic society is built on the foundation that political leaders are held accountable,” said Brent Jolly, CAJ president. “Political leaders who try to shirk that fundamental responsibility by evading fair questions from journalists are performing a crime against the democratic process.”
Earlier this week, for example, journalists from the Western Standard were refused access to a media availability with Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney despite receiving an email from the campaign inviting them to attend. This is the second time this year that the outlet has been barred.
As the Canada Press Freedom Project (CPFP) has documented, journalists covering a recent federal Conservative party rally in Ottawa were restricted to the back of a room and prevented from interviewing people. Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also refused to take questions outside of approved outlets at a recent Toronto press conference.
The CAJ also acknowledges a recent incident that took place on election night in Ontario with a group of journalism students from Toronto Metropolitan University. At the event, Progressive Conservative party officials demanded to know who the student journalists had voted for. When the students would not disclose their personal choices, officials forced them out of party headquarters.
“These events are the just tip of the proverbial iceberg,” Jolly said. “But what is important to recognize is these are attacks on journalism that transcend political affiliation or ideological belief and designed to limit the ability of journalists to properly do their jobs.”
These breaches also include efforts by governments and officials to obstruct and delay the release of information through the federal, provincial and municipal freedom of information systems.
Late last month, for example, the CAJ called on Nova Scotia’s provincial government to walk back plans for a sweeping overhaul of its access to information system. The CAJ is also awaiting the release of the final regulations for Alberta’s Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) and the Access to Information Act (ATIA), which will replace the previous Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). This legislation received Royal Assent in late 2024 despite calls for change from the province’s Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Perhaps most disturbingly, in February the RCMP went to the offices of The Ubyssey and asked for information about the newspaper’s sources. The Ubyssey did not provide information as is entirely right and proper. This attack on press freedom happened despite the RCMP apologizing just last month for violating journalists’ rights.
In the face of these many violations, the CAJ encourages any journalists who have faced unnecessary and/or arbitrary restrictions in their ability to do their jobs to contact brent@caj.ca and to document incidents with the CPFP.
“Freedom of the press is a fundamental right that is protected by Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” Jolly said. “While a looming federal election will, no doubt, raise many questions about the future of journalism in Canada, it is critical that press freedom be upheld and never be allowed on the ballot.”
Disclosure: The CAJ is a partner organization of the CPFP. Brent Jolly is a board member.
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