Ottawa Targets Juno News: Criminal Probe Into Our Report on Liberal Candidate
Facing a potential criminal charge under a contested election speech law after our investigation into Liberal candidate, we’re calling on Canadians to fortify our newsroom and defend press freedom.
This one is important. You can watch my full statement at the bottom of this message, but please read first.
I am under criminal investigation for my election reporting.
After Juno News published sourced reports containing allegations about Liberal candidate Thomas Keeper — and after the Liberal Party dropped him from the ballot — Ottawa moved to use section 91(1) of the Canada Elections Act against me, a law Elections Canada’s own former Chief Electoral Officer recommended repealing for being vague and chilling to political speech.
The Ontario courts even ruled the law unconstitutional, but Ottawa is still pressing ahead with a criminal investigation against me.
This is an attempt to criminalize journalism and intimidate every reporter who digs into the government’s candidates. They think they can take a swing at us because we’re not as big as the CBC — yet.
Now is the moment to change that.
What happened
We published interviews with eight people who know Keeper, including on-the-record testimony.
We sought comment repeatedly from Keeper and the Liberal Party. They didn’t engage.
Within days, the Liberals dropped Keeper as their candidate.
Instead of answering basic vetting questions, the Liberal machine turned its sights on the press.
The law they’re trying to use
Section 91(1) is a speech offence about “false statements” relating to a candidate’s character, requiring proof of knowing falsity and intent to affect the election.
It’s been condemned as unclear, ripe for misuse, and unnecessary because defamation law already exists.
Weaponizing it against a newsroom is censorship by prosecution.
What’s at stake
Press freedom: If they can criminalize sourced reporting during an election, every tough story gets chilled.
Source protection: We will fight to protect sources under the Journalistic Sources Protection Act.
Democracy: Elections are when journalism must be most fearless — not muzzled.
How to fight back
The Liberals are betting they can wear us down, bankrupt us, and send a warning to every journalist in the country. They’re wrong.
The best way to protect Juno News and make us untouchable is to fortify our newsroom by becoming a Juno News premium subscriber right now.
When we are stronger, bigger, and better funded, they can’t shut us down.
If you’re already a member — or if you prefer to contribute directly — you can also make a one-time secure donation to support the legal fight.
You can also help by SHARING this story so as many people as possible see it!
Couldn't that same law be used against carney for lying about everything in his campaign. Lied about tariffs, lied about Brookfield, and just lied about everything in general. The entire liberal party needs to be removed form parliament and from the country.
This is utterly amazing did they investigate partisan media for their attacks on Pierre? What about all those graves that weren’t there?