The West Block had originally planned to air an interview with Stephen Harper during its Oct. 10 episode to match previous sit-downs with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, but the Conservative leader pulled out at the last minute.

In this week’s Unpacking the Politics segment, veteran Parliament Hill journalists Mark Kennedy, Susan Delacourt and Evan Solomon agreed that it was a strange move, especially in the dying days of the campaign when media exposure can help turn the tide in a party’s favour.

“It’s not a winning strategy,” Delacourt said, adding that the Conservatives “going to ground” at this point isn’t necessarily surprising.

“This has been sort of a consistent theme with Mr. Harper. I say at the most generous, it’s that he doesn’t understand the difference between advertising and journalism, and he does not see the point of journalism unless it’s going to do advertising for him.”

Story continues below advertisement

Solomon said the cancellation of the West Block interview and several other national interviews last week speaks to the long-simmering animosity between the Conservatives and the press gallery.

“They are very local-focused. Why? Because national media are going to ask questions about the Prime Minister’s Office, about the stories that have emerged about whether they audited the refugee process,” Solomon said. Tweet This

“Those are unflattering. (Harper) would prefer local shops in local areas that have real interest, why? Because those might be journalists who don’t get a lot of opportunities to interact with federal politicians, and (the party) can control the agenda.”

The panel also discussed the final series of ads being promoted by the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP in the campaign’s home stretch. Kennedy said it’s interesting that the Liberals have largely stayed away from attack ads, as promised. The latest offering from the party is made up of clips from Justin Trudeau’s recent speech at an Ontario rally, and concludes with a single word: “Ready.”

“What (Trudeau) is doing now, he’s trying to inspire Canadians,” Kennedy said. Tweet This

“He’s trying to appeal to their better angels, their better nature and that’s what (the new Liberal) ad is all about, to go to their emotions.”