'Bypass the Media' Explanation - QP

CLAUDIA CHENDER: I didn't donate anything, but many PC party donors did share that same email with me. They shared the part in particular where the PC party asked their donors to "bypass the media when we need to, among other things." I'm going to table that. The media has an important job: to get Nova Scotians accurate, timely, and most importantly, non-partisan and unbiased information about what happens in this House. The Premier won't speak to them in this House, as premiers have done for over 100 years. Again I want to ask the Premier « » : Does he agree with the sentiment that governments must bypass the media?

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister responsible for L'nu Affairs.

HON. LEAH MARTIN « » : Feel free to pick the one you like. That works for me. In terms of communication, it's never been more important for us to communicate with Nova Scotians. It's important that they have clear messaging from us from a non-partisan perspective, and we'll continue to deliver that on a regular basis. The Premier and the team have always been accessible to answer questions of Nova Scotians, and we'll continue to do that.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: I'll remind the House that this was a partisan fundraising email that was asking donors to bypass the media. The minister who responded was formerly the Minister of Communications Nova Scotia, who had that task, but that doesn't exist anymore - just in the last week, we have seen this government dismantle CNS. We have seen the Premier refuse to speak to journalists in this House for the first time in living memory. The government has limited debate, blocked freedom of information, attempted to take power from the Auditor General, and on and on - and now unprovoked attacks on the media. My question is: Why is this government so afraid of accountability?

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Premier.

THE PREMIER « » : The whole litany of imagination there, shall we say? I do want to be very clear on one thing for all Nova Scotians: The very reason that I take my media availabilities across the street in the media room is to be more open to media. The simple fact is there are reporters outside of this core of Halifax who would like to ask ministers and the Premier questions, and they have the technology in that room to do it. We are more open. We are more accessible. We will continue to send political party fundraising emails, and if that's wrong, I ask the Opposition . . . (Applause)