OTTAWA — The Conservative party is breaking from tradition and will not be allowing media onboard planes and buses to cover leader Pierre Poilievre’s election campaign.

In an email Tuesday, national campaign director Jenni Byrne said costs for travel have “risen considerably,” as has the capacity for digital and remote access to public events.

Byrne also said in recent years, media outlets have chosen to tag staff from local bureaus to cover events rather than fly journalists from Ottawa across the country for the entire duration of the campaign.

For decades, federal election campaigns for major political parties have provided seats on leaders’ tours, with media organizations paying.{ai:summary}<p>The Conservative party has decided to restrict media access during leader Pierre Poilievre’s election campaign, a departure from tradition. National campaign director Jenni Byrne cited rising travel costs and increased digital access to events as reasons for this decision.</p><p>Media outlets have increasingly opted to use local bureau staff for coverage instead of sending journalists from Ottawa for the entire campaign. #politics</p>

Reporters won't be allowed to travel with Poilievre election campaign, Conservatives say

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