Conservative candidates are told “no debates and no media,” insider says,

Conservatives running in the federal election have been advised not to attend all-candidates’ meetings or speak to reporters during the campaign, a party source says. A Conservative insider said Wednesday that most of Stephen Harper’s flag-bearers have “been told no debates and no media.”

The informal edict appears to affect Conservative candidates across the country, which explains why so many press interviews are being rebuffed.

“They’re getting pulled out of everything,” the source said, noting even some experienced cabinet ministers are being instructed to avoid candidates’ forums before the Oct. 19 election.

Locally, reporters are finding it almost impossible to reach Joe Daniel, the Conservative MP for Don Valley East, who is running in the new riding of Don Valley North.

“He has his own priorities. Maybe the media might not be his priority as of today but in coming weeks, yes,” said a volunteer at Daniel’s office, who refused to identify himself, after chiding a Star reporter for calling three times to speak to the candidate or a media contact.

“Just give him time. He will approach you,” said the volunteer.

“We don’t go by your deadlines, sir. We go by our deadlines and you don’t happen to accept that.”

Daniel’s campaign told the Ottawa Citizen last week the backbencher wouldn’t be doing any interviews until after the election.

In an email, Conservative spokeswoman Meagan Murdoch said: “Candidates are of course encouraged to talk to voters in their ridings about Prime Minister Harper’s low-tax plan to create jobs and economic growth.”