QUESTION PERIOD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Media Availability of Minister
March 10, 2026
Government leader, on another issue, according to a recent media report, your immigration minister now refuses to speak with independent media. A media accreditation notice from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada specified only journalists from outlets with a qualified Canadian journalism organization designation will be granted access to the department’s media relations team — in other words, it’s those who receive government funding. Canadians are already aware that Minister Diab avoids stakeholder engagement and parliamentary accountability. Can you shed some light on why she is now avoiding questions from independent media as well?
My understanding is that the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, like every other member of cabinet, is at Question Period in the House of Commons on a daily basis. If there are any questions that are to be addressed to her, I think that is the best place to do that.
My understanding is that journalists from every outlet look forward to seeing what happens at Question Period. They are able to ask their questions whenever they need to. My understanding is that she answers questions whenever questions are asked.
She is answering questions from journalists from designated qualified Canadian journalism organizations, which are media outlets eligible for government subsidies. It seems like your government’s idea of transparency and accountability is to speak only with media organizations that receive government funding. Is this what the government is doing?
It is not. Your understanding is not correct. The government is transparent. Members of the government are in the House of Commons every day to answer questions, and if journalists want to ask questions, they are allowed to do that.
