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Media Accreditation

Media accreditation for the leaders' debates will open the day after the 45th general election is called.

The Leaders' Debates Commission is mandated (by its constituting Order in Council) to organize two leaders' debates for the next federal general election, one in each official language.

In both 2019 and 2021, the Commission saw unprecedented media interest in the debates it organized. The Commission is establishing this media accreditation procedure to ensure that its process is consistent and transparent for all media representatives and organizations.

For the purpose of accreditation, a "media organization" is an organization that either produces original news content related to coverage of Canadian or international political news, or covers political, social and policy issues.

Accreditation

Media representatives who wish to attend one or both debates organized by the Commission must apply to the Commission to be accredited based on the criteria set out below.

The Commission requests that media organizations strongly consider the capacity limitations at the debate venue and only put forward those media representatives who require attendance at the leaders' debates.

The Commission reserves the right to limit accreditation in the event that the number of applicants exceeds the venue's capacity based on space constraints and/or applicable public health measures.

Access Levels

All accredited media representatives will receive access to the media center at the debate venue, which will consist of dedicated workspaces, Wi-Fi, and a live television broadcast of both the debates and the media availability following the debates (post-debate scrum).

Media accreditation to the leaders' debates does not guarantee access to the media availability following the debates. A limited number of those accredited will be granted access to the post-debate scrum.

Access to the media availability following the debates will be limited to a maximum of one media representative who is accredited as a reporter/multimedia reporter and one accredited media representative who is accredited as a professional still photographer per media organization. For clarity, a media organization that does not intend to assign a professional still photographer to the post-debate scrum may still send only one reporter.

Each media organization with accredited media representatives at the leaders' debates will have the responsibility to designate the reporter/multimedia reporter and professional still photographer, if any, who will attend the media availability following each debate. This procedure will apply to both the English and French debates, and the media organization may designate different reporters and photographers for each debate.

There will be an open position available at the leaders' arrivals and a limited number of stand-up positions available to media organizations to broadcast live at the venue. Due to space limitations and the desire to ensure a plurality of media organizations that are able to broadcast live, the Commission requests that media organizations limit their physical presence in this context at the venue.

Accreditation Criteria

Media representatives will be accredited based on the following criteria as evidenced by appropriate documentation:

  • All applicants (including foreign and freelance media representatives/photographers) must submit a letter of assignment on official letterhead of a media organization, as defined above, identifying that the applicant(s) is/are assigned to the leaders' debates that is signed and dated by their assignment editor/authorized editor/publisher.

    This letter should include:
    • Name(s) of the applicant(s);
    • Role of the applicant(s);
    • Email of the applicant(s);
    • Debates that the applicant(s) wishes/wish to attend, whether they are wishing to attend the French language, English language or both debates;
    • An explanation of how the organization meets the definition of a "media organization", set out above; and
    • Contact information (email & telephone) of the assignment editor/authorized editor/publisher signing and dating this letter.

  • A recent passport size colour photo with a white background (JPEG format) (and one for each applicant listed in the letter of assignment). The photo should only show head-and-shoulders.

Procedure

Accreditation is issued to each media representative on an individual level and is not transferable to other media representatives on assignment within the same media organization. An application for accreditation may be submitted by an individual media representative or by the media organization on behalf of all its media representatives assigned to the debate.

Applications for accreditation must be submitted online via the portal. The portal is the only official channel for the media to register for the leaders' debates. The Commission will not accept applications via email.

The onus is on the applicant to supply all required information and supporting documentation at the time of the application. Only completed applications will be considered for accreditation. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

The Commission will make every effort to respond as soon as possible to media accreditation applications. Decisions on accreditation will be provided in writing via e-mail.

Each media representative who receives accreditation will need to come in person to collect their accreditation badge. To be issued a badge, an accredited media representative must show the confirmation email and a government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, health card with photo).

Accreditation badges are required to gain access to the leaders' debates and must be worn and visible at all times.

In making an application for accreditation, media representatives agree to abide by the terms of this policy.

Timeline

Media representatives and/or media organizations are encouraged to submit their applications for accreditation as early as possible.

Registration will open on the day after the election is called and close five calendar days before the first debate takes place.

Date modified: February 8, 2024