Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says his party would not cut funding for local news platforms.
During a press conference Wednesday morning in Stoney Creek, Poilievre said he can commit to backing local independent journalism, including the local journalism initiative, when asked by BurlingtonToday.
“We are also going to make sure local media get their fair share of government advertising,” he claimed. “It shouldn’t go only to the Liberal government’s favoured media outlets.”
Poilievre said the Liberals want to silence people about doubling housing costs and rising food prices, as well as crime. He added not just local media are suffering, but local businesses and steel workers.
He said the Liberals want to make Canadians forget the last decade.
“Their entire strategy is to make Canadians forget about the last 10 years by limiting debate and distracting,” Poilievre said. “They also want you to forget about the next 15 years. If these Liberal policies remain in place, we need strong, independent media so Canadians get all the information.”
The federal government currently supports local news through the Local Journalism Initiative, among other ways. In March 2024, the government committed $10 million over three years to the Department of Canadian Heritage to support the implementation of the Changing Narratives Fund to support Canada’s screen, media, and journalism industries.
Poilievre has repeatedly said if elected he would defund the CBC, which the Conservative party claims would save taxpayers $1 billion. As of February 2025, more than 7,000 people worked for the national public broadcaster.
Poilievre was also asked about media outlets being blocked from sharing their content through Facebook and Instagram due to bill C-18.
He said it is an attack on local independent media.
“Maybe that’s the goal,” he said. “With out-of-control inflation, rising housing costs, crime and chaos in our streets, Liberals are trying to get a fourth term by shutting out that information.”