Tory staffers continue to ‘clap out’ reporters’ questions at Queen’s Park
Posted Aug 10, 2018 09:01:04 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Some are referring to it as the “clap out”.
Staffers with the new provincial government continue to applaud loudly at the end of news conferences, in what appears to be an effort to drown out questions from members of the media.
It happened again Thursday during an announcement about new funding to curb gun violence in Toronto.
Reporters were allowed only four questions, plus one clarification, about the $25-million initiative before Premier Doug Ford and Attorney General Caroline Mulroney left the room.
CityNews Political Specialist, Cynthia Mulligan took some of those staffers to task, but didn't get any answers when she asked who instructed them to clap.
“Most just turned away, and tried to get out of the room as quickly as they could when they realized I was shooting them, and asking them questions.” said Mulligan.
“One did acknowledge that yes he was getting paid…and you have to remember these are taxpayer paid employees, so basically taxpayers are paying them to drown out the media, and drown out questions.” she told The Mike Farwell Show on 570 NEWS.
She feels there was some embarrassment when they were challenged by reporters.
“I think they were suddenly put on the spot, and didn't know how to handle it, quite frankly.”
Mulligan says it's part of a “trend” that Premier Doug Ford introduced to provincial politics on the campaign trail.
“He (Ford) takes an unusually small number of questions compared to other politicians of the past. So reporters would continue to yell out their questions, as we tend to do, and they (staffers) would start clapping, so it would be drowned out.”
“It didn't end on the campaign trail. It has continued now that he is premier. And it's causing a little friction between the media and this government.” added Mulligan.
She says the media is also physically kept back from the premier and his ministers.
“We're behind stanchions, and we are kept, often 10 to 15 feet away from ministers and the premier, when there is an availability, which is also extremely unusual.”
