David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks the LIEbrano propaganda machine CBC has had their fancy kickers in quite a knot since some party leaders joined Franky Boy McKenna and SANB on Acadian Day One picture tells quite a tale N'esy Pas?
Conservatives offer media outlets cheaper access to Andrew Scheer's campaign tour
6436 Comments Plus an unknown tally of deleted comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
This was the last comment it was disabled after the comment section closed
David R. Amos
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Methinks it
interesting as the clock winds down on the particular forum and a lot of
comments have come and gone all I heard was crickets in response to my
comments about Andy's latest plan N'esy Pas?
Here are some interesting ones from the "Most Liked" threads I saved before they went "Poof"
Garry
Walton Content disabled
It's too bad Andy doesn't have $600 million to give away to friendly media too.
Well we all know he wouldn't, he has ethics.
Rony Hossain Content disabled
Reply to @Garry Walton: ha ha ha ha ha andy and ethics....ha ha ha ha
Bill Mavin
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Reply to @Garry
Walton: He has not time for ethics , he is too busy dog whistling to his
social conservative faction. Everything he says is carefully
constructed to not cause their biases to be rocked
Dennis Deschamps
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Reply to @Garry
Walton: ethics in politics Ya conservatives are so righteous like the
religious right preaching at you good luck with that , and conservatives
being honest now that is a joke
Eileen
Kinley
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Reply to @Garry Walton: Are you aware that almost all media outlets have endorsed the Conservatives over the years?
Dennis Deschamps
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Reply to @Rony Hossain: like secret payments and snitch line ethics sure and robocalls
Ali Santo
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I love how Liberals are all over ethics now. It's as if they never heard of ethics before.
Dennis Deschamps
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Reply to @Eileen
Kinley: what more fake news the anti worker party and anti union party
get union news papers to support them fabrication
Brent Grywinski
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Reply to @Garry Walton:
Conservative ethics is an oxymoron.
Jamie Gillis Content disabled
Reply to @Garry Walton:
Wow. Point out that Scheer has a better ethical record than Trudeau and watch the show!
Garry Walton
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Reply to @Jamie Gillis: Yeah Jamie, it's hilarious, when they have nothing but a terrible leader, what do they do?
Scream louder !!
David R. Amos Content disabled
Reply to @Garry Walton: Surely you jest
Mackenna Wilson Content disabled
Reply
to @Garry Walton: Ethical Andy funded by Ethical Oil offers
"incentive" to journalists to campaign for him. Announces Rebel Media
won't be on campaign bus. Hamish Marshall, Rebel Media founder is Andy's
campaign manager. He will be on the bus. Problem solved!
Michael Dome Content disabled
Reply to @Garry Walton: If the RCMP comes in 'we're cooked' in the upcoming election say worried Liberal MPs
-Hilltimes
Michael Dome
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Reply to @Garry
Walton: The Toronto Star, Canada’s largest newspaper, will receive
$115,385 per week ($461,540/month) from the government’s $600 million
media slush fund.
Nav Saloojee
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Reply to @Garry Walton:
Climate change doesn't exist.
Ok, it exists. But, it is natural, not due to man.
Ok, it is due to man, But, Canada won't do it's part until other countries do theirs.
Ok, so there is an international agreement. Canada can't do anything as we only emit 1.5 percent of greenhouse gases.
Ok, Canada ranks 15th out of 17 OECD countries for GHG emissions per
capita and earns a “D” grade. We're going to use oil anyway. We may as
well mine tarry bitumen mixed with sand from underneath the boreal
forest. At least it is ours.
The Conservatives are in the pocket of Big Oil. If you have a conscience, please do not vote Conservative in the next election
Jason Tremblay (JasonDiggy)
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Reply to @Garry Walton:
Scheer has ethics? LOL
When did he get those? Before or after he met with and supported the
Yellow Vests and sat down with Faith Goldy who was kicked off social
media for her vile views?
Or while he was voting against Equal Marriage and doing everything he could to have it repealed?
John Oaktree
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Reply to @Garry Walton:
Ya - Liberal friendly media like Ezra Levant and The Rebel, Sun News Media...
And let's not forget the Globe and Mail and the National Post that
endorse the Conservatives every single election - now - they're Liberal
PR machines because they bet tax breaks...
Yup - Conservatives sell out cheap...
John Oaktree
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Reply to @Garry Walton:
BTW - what did Andrew Scheer promise the executives of SNC-Lavalin when he met with them??
Why won't he tell us???
Bob Evans Content disabled
Just
so there is no confusion: for European Canadians and Canadians of
United Kingdom heritage, the Liberal Party of Canada has nothing to
offer. People of those origins are merely cash cows to be milked to
death by Canada Revenue
Sam Hain Content disabled
Reply to @Bob Evans:
Stoke those fears! When all you have to be proud of is your melanin, I guess that's enough to vote Con/PPC
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Sam Hain: I only stated fact. Who said anything about melanin
Sam Hain
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
Sorry I'll amend, I'm sure you were fully acting in good faith.
When all you have to be proud of is where your ancestors moved from, I guess that's enough to vote Con/PPC!
John Gerrits
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Reply to @Sam Hain:
No,some Canadians are not only proud of who they are and where they come
from(which is prohibited to mention on this site),they're also proud of
what they achieved and built and which this govt is doing their best to
destroy.
Never,never has this country been so divided from the actions of justin
trying to do everything possible to erase any identity of anything truly
Canadian.
Sam Hain
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
There's nothing to refute though. You've made a nonsense claim. It's
like getting in an argument with someone who's insisting the sky is made
of bubblegum. Please, give specifics on how the Liberals have nothing
for you, specifically? Are you not allowed to use infrastructure
anymore? Have you been barred from healthcare? What have you been
denied?
Sam Hain Content disabled
Reply to @John Gerrits:
I can only imagine the sensitivity that went into you believing any of
that. No one is trying to erode anything, the hope is that maybe we can
not be a nation of hate and make room for all [including - especially -
the people who got here before your people did].
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Sam Hain: I don’t have to prove established truth
Sam Hain
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
lol
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Sam Hain: disprove the statement, don’t offer vacuities
Sam Hain
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
No one of European descent in this country is barred from any service,
education or employment or use of infrastructure. There, I did it. Now,
you tell me how I'm wrong?
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Sam Hain: disprove the statement
John Gerrits
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Reply to @Sam Hain:
So,as usual,unless everyone goes along with everything you believe
....we are all ???.....and not politically correct
PS:please stop the complete bs about the people before my people .Who
were the people before that...and proven.....and again not permitted
because of political correctness.
Brent Grywinski
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
Ooops! We got a Trump supporter here!
Bill Dixon
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Reply to @John
Gerrits: Who are you talking about? I haven't seen anything that
suggests any of the party leaders has been convicted multiple times - or
even a single time - for anything.
You seem confused about Canada's justice and legal systems...
Lorraine Karuse
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
"European Canadians and Canadians of United Kingdom heritage" Why NOT
say WHITES. So do you think ONLY WHITES pay Taxes?
Kevin Carriere
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
Seems to me it your responsibility to provide proof that European
Canadians and Canadians of United Kingdom heritage "are merely cash cows
to be milked to death by Canada Revenue".
You are the one making the positive claim and need to corroborate your statement. We'll wait for your corroboration.
John Gerrits
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Reply to @Bill Dixon: Earth calling....ethical violations.It's what the LPC calls ...fake news
Dave Robertson
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
Total BS. The Liberals have done more for the little guy than the last
three governments combined. Stop the nonsense.
Bill Dixon
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Reply to @John Gerrits: Apparently accuracy and facts are irrelevant to you in concocting your criticism.
Here's a novel concept for you: a conviction is handed down by a court
of law in Canada, on the basis of evidence a crime having been
committed by the accused that is beyond a reasonable doubt.
A critical report by the Ethics Commissioner isn't a conviction of any kind.
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Brent
Grywinski: who said anything about Trump? Again, please offer something
to the conversation other than vacuities
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Bill Dixon: you mean about the Liberal government of Canada becoming the legal department of SNC Lavalin?
Bob Evans
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Reply to @lorraine karuse: please disprove the statement
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Dave Robertson: which little guy? You mean the corporate execs at SNC Lavalin?
John Gerrits
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Reply to @John Gerrits: Hey...anyone notice the downvotes when again stating facts to liberals....LOL
Bob Evans
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Reply to @lorraine karuse: the statement was about a specific attitude of the Liberal Party towards the demographic
Bob Evans
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Reply to @John Gerrits: can’t help but notice John
Jon Taffer
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Reply to @Bob Evans: Nothing to offer to the mega rich, that's for sure!
John Gerrits
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Reply to @Bob Evans: RIddle...want to rile up a liberal?
Give them facts
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Kevin Carriere: no need to corroborate truth
Bob Evans
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Reply to @John Gerrits: true enough
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Jon Taffer: you mean mega rich like the execs at SNC Lavalin?
Stephen
Novak
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
Just so there is no confusion: those who expect others to disprove a
statement that has no basis in fact generally have nothing compelling to
offer to the conversation. People of this thought process are merely
mouthpieces for divisive rhetoric and hate speech.
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Stephen Novak: prove the statement has no basis in fact
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Stephen
Novak: obviously, there are others who believe the statement has basis
in fact. Besides that, where is the hatred in the statement, speaking of
having no basis in fact?
Colin Smith
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
I'm not being milked to death in slightest. I pay taxes and get value
for said taxes. I like roads, schools, hospitals, police, fire, parks,
and so on.
I had it better as kid when we had higher taxes on corporations and we
had the funds to fund things properly. Sure luxuries were more expensive
but the things the count were better. Schools were better, roads were
better, Yeah lots of that is municpal and provinicial but it was the
federal transfers that allowed it all. Liberals cut those back big time
in the 90s to get budget surplus. What happened then, post secondary
education shot up in price for one example and quality of the expensive
education dropped.
I find I pay more than my parent did for the basics. Sure owning color
TV was expensive but a family vacation to Provicial or National Park was
more affordable and my education cost me 1/10th as much as it does now,
probably even less really. What kind of world are we leaving for our
kids just to have coupe hundred in taxes we don't pay now but end up
paying more for everything else.
Rob Halifax
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
Keep trumpeting this unfounded fearful message on behalf of the CPC, or better yet, for the PPC; for vote splitting purposes!
Progressives all across the country thank you for being upfront and open about your sadly misguided beliefs.
Bob Evans
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Reply to @colin
smith: the point is that a particular demographic pays taxes and yet
does not get its fair share or respect, for that matter, from the
Liberal Party. In fact, this demographic is denigrated and ignored by
the Liberals at every turn.
Michele McLean
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Reply to @Brent Grywinski:
No surprise - isn't Bob Evans famous for making sausage in the US?
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Rob Halifax: like the progressives that want to be the legal department of SNC Lavalin?
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Michele McLean: please offer something to the conversation other than vacuities
Rob Halifax
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
Translation: But, but, what about? errrr, but.... but, uuuugh, but...
I would not consider the Liberals particularly progressive....and
certainly not up to the ethical bar they set for themselves back in 2015
Marcus Pilkington
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Reply to @Bob Evans: is that thinly veiled racism?
Marcus Pilkington
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Reply to @Bob Evans: The burden of proof is on you, you made the original claim without a citation.
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Marcus Pilkington: how so?
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Marcus Pilkington: the burden of proof is on the Prosecution
Bob Evans
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Reply to @Rob Halifax: but they sell themselves as progressives and use the same gobbledegook?
Brent Grywinski
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
If you think only one certain demographic in Canada pays taxes, you are really going down a dark road, fella.
Lorraine Karuse
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Reply to @Bob Evans:
Fact? Give us a LINK. Prove it!!! I know a LOT of Non whites. ALL Work,
pay taxes. NOT ONE is on Walfare!!!!
Reply to @Andrew
Mckay: more Catherine Mckenna approved posts...is that your talking
point?...say it louder...can you repeat that? Time to drop the writ and
all Canadians will decide.
Matthew Hu-White
Reply to @Charles Ruggles:
Hmmm. Wishful projection? Dismissively muting people who disagree with you? Are you sure you’re a Conservative supporter?
David R. Amos
Reply to @Matthew Hu-White: Methinks you should study closer as to who is being muted N'esy Pas?
Charly Vaughan
Reply to @Charles
Ruggles: sunny ways offers free business class seats, open bar and gig
wifi....cons will want to charge for use of toilets reclining seats and
newspapers
Matthew Hu-White
Reply to @David R. Amos:
I tend to keep my focus on those who aren’t getting muted, but I appreciate the sentiment. Reste fort, mon amis.
Karen King Reply to @Charles Ruggles:
really since he does not align himself with all how can he do that, especially without any plan
David R. Amos
Reply to @Karen King: Methinks Andy has no plan whatsoever he is just following Harper's orders N'esy Pas?
Casey Jay Scheer’s campaign has so few ideas, they can’t even get the press to cover them. Talk about desperation.
Bob Evans Reply to @Casey Jay: as opposed to the Liberal Party of Canada becoming the legal department of SNC Lavalin?
David R. Amos
Reply to @Casey Jay:
Methinks desperate politicians do desperate things particularly when
they have lots of money to throw around N'esy Pas?
Jason Tremblay (JasonDiggy)
Reply to @Casey Jay:
NOT TRUE.
He loves chocolate milk, so there's that.
Frederick Dainard
Reply to @sian
maccauley: trudeau needs to drop the writ...then the parties can pay for
their respective campaigns..not taxpayers!
David R. Amos Reply
to @Bob Evans: "Just so there is no confusion: for European Canadians
and Canadians of United Kingdom heritage, the Liberal Party of Canada
has nothing to offer. People of those origins are merely cash cows to be
milked to death by Canada Revenue"
Methinks somebody doesn't like your opinion N'esy Pas?
Mark Thomas Reply
to @Casey Jay: Trudeau has demonstrated that ideas are less important
than image in the modern political environment. I agree that Scheer's
CPC is light on policy. On economic policy, in particular, there's very
little to choose between the two major parties, which both promote the
Davos-style corporate globalization agenda. So, we'll have to choose on
the basis of brand image. Trudeau's Libs are kinda, sorta all-in on
environmentalism. Well, at least they've got the nagging and taxing part
down pat, if not the follow-up. The CPC's approach is more opaque,
except to stipulate that taxes aren't the answer. (Hint: They're not.)
And the NDP and especially the Greenies are filling Lib supporting
roles, especially on the environment. The prize they're fighting for
will be to see who props up the Lib crew in the event of a minority
parliament. But the real differences between the major actors who
comprise our mainstream political clique are small, which may lead
voters to believe the upcoming election is about, well, nothing - except
maybe the ethics problem the Libs face.
Johny Ng
Reply to @Casey Jay: says a lot about the Liberals, they haven't said how much they will charge, but the CBC is free.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Johny Ng:
Methinks the last thing CBC is free in light of the fact it supported by
so much of taxpayer funds N'esy Pas?
Basil
Masse When the reformer/cons begin to offer 'deals' to the press, you know they've read the new polls. Not good.
Reply to @Karin
Bougie: So conservatives believe in polls again? For the last 3 years,
all it's been here is 'polls aren't reliable, remember Hilary?'
Can't have it both ways...
David R. Amos
Reply to @Basil Masse: Methinks its not over until the fat lady sings after the most important poll in October N'esy Pas?
Mark Thomas
Reply to @Basil
Masse: How many polls have been released since Dion's ethics inquiry?
We'll have to wait for a couple weeks to see what impact it's had before
prognosticating on the basis of polling.
Basil Masse When the reformer/cons begin to offer 'deals' to the press, you know they've read the new polls. Not good.
Reply to @Basil Masse: Methinks its not over until the fat lady sings after the most important poll in October N'esy Pas?
Mark Thomas
Reply to @Basil
Masse: How many polls have been released since Dion's ethics inquiry?
We'll have to wait for a couple weeks to see what impact it's had before
prognosticating on the basis of polling.
Charlie Wood So, CBC stumps for the LIberals all the time. Not a big deal.
Reply to @Charlie
Wood: Just so you know this.. Science and computers DO NOT LIE.. While
the political people know how to lie.. ALL OF THEM.. to them it is
easy..
That is why HAL Failed. HAL was taught to lie by those that find it easy to lie.. HAL does not know how to lie.. The media just has to report the facts of the case..
Talking to someone THREE times by 3 different people and last one was
not done by the PM orders but was done and started by JODY herself. is
not a violation of the code of ethics.
Ever notice that the last call was done by JODY herself that was the
based of that taped and recorded phone all. The first two where by
the PM office there was none after that. ZERO on the mater.. That is
why the ethic commissioner report I also disagree with as he states they
the PM office made the three attempt and included the call from JODY to
the PM office privy office clerk. Sorry Jody Wilson-Raybould made
that call NOT the privy counsel clerk.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Charlie Wood: Methinks its a big deal to me and a lot of other folks N'esy Pas?
Karen King Reply to @sian maccauley:
again it's only because you prefer to listen to Andy than the media....so why are you here anyway??
David R. Amos
Reply to @Karen King: Methinks everybody knows why I am here N'esy Pas?
Mitchell Gant Little
trudeau is under investigatoin for Obstruction of Justice and this is
the lead story? I guess $1.5 BILLION buys a lot friendly coverage.
Just sayin'
Reply to @Mitchell Gant: You forget that $1.5 bn leash was in Harper's hands 4 years ago. I bet you weren't whining then!
David R. Amos
Reply to @Marcus Pilkington: Oh so true
Guy D’Aramitz No
matter how you cut it, conservatism is the political act of convincing
the poor and middle class to vote against their own interests.
Richard Lori Dawson
Reply to @Guy D’Aramitz: What about those working hard to join in?
Guy D’Aramitz
Reply to @Richard Lori Dawson:
Only the idle rich corporate class dont' work.
Jack Cochrane
Reply to @Guy
D’Aramitz: ummm sooo, like, how does the cozy relationship between
Quebec corporations and the Liberal party work then? Oh right, they
subsidize them but they're really doing it for us and 'jobs'
Peter While
Reply to @Guy D’Aramitz:
The poor and the middle class are taxpayers.
And Liberals are no friends of the taxpayer.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Guy D’Aramitz: Methinks you need a new philosopher to study N'esy Pas?
Jenna Collins
Reply to @Guy D’Aramitz: I don't think people truly appreciate this comment. I do.
Robert Paul
Reply to @Guy
D’Aramitz: Offensive. I'm between poor and middle class and the
Conservatives make my life better by freeing me up from government.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Robert Paul: Methinks everybody knows why I am poor and why it is the government's fault N'esy Pas?
Karen King Reply to @Guy D’Aramitz:
absolutely spot on, well said
David R. Amos
Reply to @Karen King: Methinks the lady doth jest too much N'esy Pas?
Dennis Brady How is that different that offering free beer (or buck a beer) for your vote?
Reply to @Dennis Brady: that's exactly how Ford won. Not anything to do with Wynne's gross incompetence
David R. Amos
Reply to @Jack Cochrane: Of course not
Michele McLean
Reply to @Jethro Nazerene:
If they wanted media to have free access, they wouldn't charge them to be on their campaign bus.
Jethro Nazerene Reply to @Michele McLean:
It’s actually a discount. It would cost the journalists way more than
11500 if they paid their own way to follow the campaign around, but nice
try.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Jethro Nazerene: True
Henry Murdoch
Now the cons need to give a discount for anyone to cover them... begging... so fun to read
Reply to @James
Alexander: sweetie ... the last election the cons had and spent more
money... how did that work out for your Harper.... boom.....
Aaron Morris
Reply to @Henry Murdoch:
Sort of shows that the billions the Liberals have given the media is working for Trudeau but not Canadians, doesn't it?
David R. Amos
Reply to @Henry Murdoch: Welcome to the circus
Henry Murdoch Reply to @Aaron Morris: love to read the source you quote for that
Aaron Morris
Reply to @Henry Murdoch:
It's been posted multiple times here... but ok...
Here is the $600m in special election year funding, then we have the
billions annually to the CBC, then we have special media funding for
Canadian content...
Reply to @Aaron Morris: little bitter as your leader is failing?
Aaron Morris
Reply to @Henry Murdoch:
Posting sources you requested makes me bitter?
And he's not my leader.... yet :)
Henry Murdoch
Reply to @Aaron Morris: nor will he ever..... good one
David R. Amos
Reply to @Henry Murdoch: Methinks you are enjoying the circus as much as I N'esy Pas?
Jack Lester I always give to the A Scheer conservatives, use that money, get the message out, Trudeau needs to go
Thomas Magnum
Reply to @jack lester:
steer clear of scheer.
Aaron Morris
Reply to @Thomas Magnum:
When you can't run on your record, run on rhymes....
Jack
Cochrane
Reply to @Thomas Magnum: no more silky pyjamas!!
David R. Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Jack
Cochrane: Methinks the many minions employed by Mr Dressup study all the
comments before they go "Poof" N'esy Pas?
David R. Amos
Reply to @Jack Cochrane: Methinks most folks would prefer to see the Emperor with no clothes whatsoever N'esy Pas?
William Ben
"Establishment
media already pushing pro-Trudeau propaganda on SNC-Lavalin" And it
keeps on getting worse.... The LPC have tried their level best to
destroy democracy in Canada in 4 short years.
Reply to @Jason Tremblay (JasonDiggy): the deflection failed...on to denigration...next on deck Harper!
David R. Amos
Reply to @Jason Tremblay (JasonDiggy): "Despite CON hysteria, democracy is alive and well in Canada."
Methinks if that were remotely true then the following words of yours would evaporate N'esy Pas?
Garry Walton
" It's too bad Andy doesn't have $600 million to give away to friendly media too.
Well we all know he wouldn't, he has ethics." ----
Jason Tremblay Reply to @Garry Walton:
"Scheer has ethics? LOL
When did he get those? Before or after he met with and supported the
Yellow Vests and sat down with Faith Goldy who was kicked off social
media for her vile views?
Or while he was voting against Equal Marriage and doing everything he could to have it repealed?"
Art Wright Reply to @William Ben: ah, the "Fake News" eh..... heard that somewhere
David R. Amos
Reply to @Art Wright: Me Too In fact I hear Fake News all the time Methinks I proved it many times N'esy Pas?
Conservatives offer media outlets cheaper access to Andrew Scheer's campaign tour
CPC insists it's not a discount - but it is raising questions about the true cost of covering leaders' tours
Andrew
Scheer takes questions from the media at the official ceremony for the
National Acadian Day and World Acadian Congress in Dieppe, N.B.,
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. (Marc Grandmaison/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
The Conservative Party is offering
media organizations a dramatically reduced price to cover party leader
Andrew Scheer's campaign — a fee that's a little less for the entire
election period than what the party charged for two weeks in 2015.
The
$11,500 fee is intended to encourage media outlets to assign reporters
for the duration of the leader's tour at a time when many news
organizations are facing serious economic challenges.
"We
obviously are going to take our message across the country," Scheer said
Monday during a stop in St. Catharines, Ont. "We have a great story to
tell and we want to make sure that we get that story in front of
Canadians in as many possible ways."
The
leader's tour is a staple of modern political campaigns. In the past,
major media outlets tasked reporters to such tours, to cover every rally
and protest and document a leader's every statement and stumble.
But
as the number of media outlets has shrunk, and as the cost of assigning
journalists to follow every party leader over a campaign lasting a
minimum of five weeks has risen, the number of reporters 'on the bus'
has also diminished.
But does offering what appears to be a
cut-rate price for reporters violate any election laws? Is it a party
subsidy or just good marketing by a savvy campaign team?
It's not a discount: Conservatives
Conservative
Party spokesman Cory Hann said the campaign isn't offering media
outlets a discount — it's basing the price it charges on what it would
cost those outlets to keep up with the leader's travels on their own.
"We
calculated the amount based what the cost would be be for a journalist
to follow the tour in the most obvious and economic way possible, that
is, a flight pass and bus pass, plus purchasing Wi-Fi on buses and
planes when available and meals when flying over regular meal time,"
Hann wrote in an email reply to the CBC's Katie Simpson.
"So our
cost is reflective of that, and while it does come in at less than
previous campaigns, it is far from subsidized travel as the plane will
fly, the bus will run, whether there's anyone in the seat or not."
How
are the Conservatives keeping the price so low? The New Democrats
intend to charge media outlets $45,000 for the right to travel with
leader Jagmeet Singh.
Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with Conservative Leader Andrew
Scheer while walking with the crowd during the Tintamarre in celebration
of the National Acadian Day and World Acadian Congress in Dieppe, N.B.,
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. (Marc Grandmaison/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
The
Liberals have yet to set their price for Justin Trudeau's tour, but
party spokesman Braeden Caley said they also are working to keep costs
as low as possible.
In 2015, when the election campaign ran
roughly twice as long as the usual 37-day campaign, the Conservatives
charged media organizations $70,000 to cover the entire campaign. The
Liberals and NDP each charged about $50,000.
That striking
difference raises the question of whether have media organizations been
overcharged in the past — or whether they are being subsidized now.
CBC spokesperson Chuck Thompson said the broadcaster will not accept any party subsidy of the cost of covering a campaign.
"In
light of what we have heard from the federal Conservative Party, CBC
News is looking into the significant price discrepancy between the 2015
campaign versus this one," he said.
Other media outlets didn't respond to questions from CBC News.
Canada's
election laws do not prohibit campaigns from subsidizing media outlets.
But Elections Canada spokesperson Natasha Gauthier said campaigns are
audited — and a political party would be required to report as an
election expense any difference between the actual cost of covering a
leader's tour and a reduced charge.
An element of trust
"They
do have to indicate how much money in total they spent on travel for
the leader and the campaign. The parties are responsible for making sure
that they report all of their expenses and contributions as per the
Canada Elections Act, and that they stay within limits," she said.
But
there's an element of trust involved here. The financial statements
each party must file after the campaign includes only a line item for
the leaders' tour. There is no itemized breakdown explaining where the
money comes from.
Similarly, political parties would have to
claim any amount over the real cost as a campaign donation from the
individual reporter, since corporate donations are illegal.
Gauthier said she is unaware of any such filings.
Long-time
Conservative strategist Chad Rogers said a party's costs in facilitating
media coverage can vary widely — depending on the size of the plane
being leased, the number of miles flown and the number of buses
involved, plus the cost of outfitting journalists with work stations and
the number of political staffers assigned to do advance work, handle
baggage or book the hotel rooms used by reporters to file their stories.
Typically,
each party will have at least two or three fleets of buses operating in
different parts of the country during the campaign.
Rogers also said the fixed election date makes it possible for parties to negotiate better deals for both planes and buses.
"Every
party is looking to recover costs and, ideally, the campaign wants to
spend as little as possible on anything that isn't advertising," he
said.
Former NDP strategist Kathleen Monk said it's a concern
that the Conservatives appear to be charging far less than the other
campaigns, especially given the importance of media coverage of the
leaders' tours.
"We know that buying campaign ads costs millions
and millions of dollars, not only to produce them but to place them on
different media channels," she said. "But the earned media that they get
on a campaign is priceless."
There's no question the
Conservatives own a considerable edge in fundraising heading into the
campaign. The party raised more than $24.3 million in 2018, compared to
$16.5 million raised by the Liberals and just under $2 million by the
NDP.
But the spending limits during the campaign period are the
same no matter how much money a party has, which effectively
eliminates any fundraising advantage the Conservatives hold.
Chris
Hall is the CBC's National Affairs Editor and host of The House on CBC
Radio, based in the Parliamentary Bureau in Ottawa. He began his
reporting career with the Ottawa Citizen, before moving to CBC Radio in
1992, where he worked as a national radio reporter in Toronto, Halifax
and St. John's. He returned to Ottawa and the Hill in 1998.
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