Tom Mulcair takes heat online for not taking questions at first campaign event

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair raised eyebrows on Twitter Sunday by choosing not to take reporters' questions at his first campaign event.

CBC News · Posted: Aug 02, 2015 3:56 PM EDT | Last Updated: August 2, 2015

Tom Mulcair reacts to election call

8 years ago

9:08

'Canadians have a clear choice. Four more years of Mr. Harper and the Conservatives, or my plan for change'

Tom Mulcair provoked online reactions ranging from befuddlement to outrage Sunday, after declining to answer questions from reporters at his first campaign event.

The NDP leader spoke to Canadians from Gatineau, Que. soon after Conservative Leader Stephen Harper asked Gov. Gen. David Johnston to trigger the official start of the federal election campaign.

Mulcair repeatedly attacked Stephen Harper during his speech, focusing on the Conservative government's economic record. But it was Mulcair's decision not to take questions from reporters after his remarks that stirred up the most reaction on Twitter. Harper took five questions after his speech and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau did not place a limit on questions from the media.

Many were quick to note that Mulcair seemed to be taking a page out of Harper's playbook.

Weird Mulcair took no questions. Guess he is trying to act like a PM and taking his lead from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pmsh?src=hash">#pmsh</a> . <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/exln42?src=hash">#exln42</a>
—@CharltteWolters

Mulcair, wanting to show how different he is from Harper, decides not to take questions or go to the Consortium debate, like Harper.
—@sovykurosei

Mulcair won't take questions from media & won't participate in the consortium debates. That's not change. That's more of the same. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a>
—@popoffculture

So now Thomas Mulcair won't take questions from the media. Just who does he think he is? Stephen Harper?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bcpoli?src=hash">#bcpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a>
—@keithbaldrey

Political reporters and commentators were surprised.

hey thomas mulcair didn't take questions from reporters today <a href="http://t.co/RnDLHSAFgR">pic.twitter.com/RnDLHSAFgR</a>
—@Justin_Ling

I can't speak for colleagues covering Mulcair, but there was much headshaking at Rideau Hall when word came that he'd eschew questions.
—@kady

Really not sure Mulcair is wise to refuse to take questions as he kicks off campaign.
—@stphnmaher

Some simply couldn't figure out what Mulcair was up to.

What's the strategy behind Mulcair not allowing questions? He needs to be seen as open and transparent. The opposite of PMSH <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoIi?src=hash">#cdnpoIi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDP?src=hash">#NDP</a>
—@anma_sa

I’m sure the Mulcair decision not to take questions was considered, but I can’t think what the reasoning was.
—@davidreevely

And there wasn't much explanation from his campaign.

Mulcair takes no questions. Asked why, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDP?src=hash">#NDP</a> senior campaign adviser Brad Lavigne says only: "It's just a statement today." Doesn't say why.
—@smithjoanna

But some saw strategy in decision.

Voters don’t care how many questions reporters get to ask. Harper’s been proving that point for a decade. <a href="https://t.co/Vg2VXJsuIW">https://t.co/Vg2VXJsuIW</a>
—@davidakin

Mulcair not taking questions a reminder - for first time ever, NDP doesn't start campaign with getting attention as a primary goal.
—@aradwanski

<a href="https://twitter.com/stphnmaher">@stphnmaher</a> Odd but will matter for seconds as long campaign kicks in and Cdns hear from leaders daily if not hourly.Is trick to stay fresh?
—@judithtimson

Several conservative strategists and commentators hinted at a double standard.

DICTATOR! CONTROL FREAK! HATES FREEDOM! HIDDEN AGENDA! RT <a href="https://twitter.com/amandacconn">@amandacconn</a>: Apparently Mulcair not taking any questions. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a>
—@mattgurney

So the media isn't shouting questions at Mulcair yet when he refuses to take them from reporters.
—@stephen_taylor

Justin Trudeau alluded to the decision during his own speech ...

"Unlike the other guys, I tend to take a lot of questions," Trudeau says <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="http://t.co/EPQ81p1kXD">pic.twitter.com/EPQ81p1kXD</a>
—@MichaelBolen

... though not everyone was impressed with the Liberal leader's answers.

Though much like the other guys, I probably won't really answer them. <a href="https://t.co/a4FKoGsS46">https://t.co/a4FKoGsS46</a>
—@RobynUrback

But reaction to Mulcair's decision wasn't all serious. It is a long weekend, after all.

Tom Mulcair leaves podium without answering questions. Apparently he found out he wasn't getting paid overtime for working a holiday Sunday.
—@22_Minutes

What did you think of Mulcair's choice not to take questions? Send us your thoughts on Twitter.

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