In a shocking turn of events on Thursday night, the English Leaders Debate in Montreal concluded with an unexpected twist when it was announced that the media scrum— a critical event for journalists to engage with leaders—would be canceled. The Executive Director of the Leaders’ Debate Commission, Michel Cormier, cited concerns over providing a "proper environment" as the reason.

This cancellation sparked outrage among journalists, with one reporter immediately questioning, "Why? This is an infringement of the liberty of the press. This is your one job!" The sentiment clearly resonated, sending waves of disbelief through the press corps.

While the commission's guidelines don't officially mandate post-debate scrums, they are a customary practice, frequently occurring after debates to allow reporters to obtain crucial quotes and insights. Just the night before, an effective scrum followed the French leadership debate, reinforcing its importance in the democratic process.

As the commission acknowledges the public interest in debates, the same applies to these scrums, which serve as vital opportunities for pressing candidates on unanswered questions. This particular scrum was particularly significant as Liberal Leader Mark Carney had been criticized for dodging questions throughout the campaign, with accusations from rival leaders that he was hiding from public scrutiny.

So why was the cancellation announced so late? Cormier did not provide clarity, raising eyebrows and suspicions about the motivations behind the decision. The concern over a "proper environment" struck many as a flimsy excuse following a chaotic scrum just hours prior.

Adding to the intrigue, Global News' Mercedes Stephenson tweeted that sources suggested the cancellation was connected to disruptions caused by Rebel News staff, who allegedly attempted to interrupt a CBC live broadcast earlier that evening. However, this claim remains unverified, with no video evidence to support it.

This incident has left many questioning the integrity of the debate process and whether the will of the press and the public can be stifled by a simple cancellation. What does this mean for the future of political transparency in Canada? Stay tuned as this story unfolds.