Lawton presses debate commissioner over journalist access to leaders’ debates
Conservative MP Andrew Lawton pressed Canada’s debates commissioner on Thursday over workplace harassment safeguards and media accreditation rules, drawing on his own past experience.
Conservative MP Andrew Lawton pressed Canada’s debates commissioner on Thursday over workplace harassment safeguards and media accreditation rules, drawing on his own past experience as an independent journalist who successfully challenged the commission in Federal Court.
Michel Cormier, head of the Leaders’ Debates Commission, appeared before the House of Commons’ Procedure and House Affairs committee to discuss preparations for future leaders’ debates and ongoing concerns about journalist treatment during election events.
Cormier told MPs the commission is increasingly concerned about its inability to mitigate harassment faced by independent and non-traditional media during debate activities.
“With regard to the accreditation of journalists, the Commission will continue to handle this,” he said. “But I recommend that it no longer be responsible for organizing the leaders’ press conferences that traditionally take place after the debates.”
He said responsibility for post-debate media events should be shifted to another body better equipped to manage security, crowd control, and harassment protocols.
Lawton questioned Cormier about whether the commission’s accreditation framework sufficiently protects emerging digital outlets and smaller newsrooms.
Before entering politics, Lawton was a journalist with True North when he won an emergency injunction in 2019 after the commission barred him and other independent reporters from covering that year’s federal leaders’ debates.
In that case, the Federal Court ruled the journalists would suffer “irreparable harm” if excluded, ordering the government-run commission to issue credentials. Lawton referenced the episode briefly, noting it reflected broader concerns about access for non-traditional media and the need for clearer standards.
Cormier said the commission has attempted to refine accreditation processes since 2019, but acknowledged challenges remain, especially as the media landscape continues to shift.
“We want to ensure openness and fairness,” he said, adding that harassment directed at journalists in debate venues has become a significant operational issue.
Lawton asked whether the commission would support firmer, standardized protocols on security and journalist treatment for the next debate cycle. Cormier replied that the commission is preparing recommendations for the government and expects further discussions on structural changes.
The committee is reviewing the debates commission’s mandate ahead of the next federal election.