Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre told a reporter at a Prince Edward Island press conference Wednesday her question sounded like a "CBC smear job."."I tried to ask Pierre Poilievre whether he is trying to court the far-right vote," tweeted freelance journalist Teresa Wright on X/Twitter.."He would not answer the question, saying my question sounded like a CBC smear job and a distraction from the real issues.".Poilievre quickly fired back "By who" at Wright as she asked the "Far right" question which she claimed was said by "experts.".Wright told Poilievre during the heated exchange "A number of your own comments and actions have been characterized as dog-whistling."."By who?" Poilievre replied.."I just need to clarify by who?"."By a number of different experts," Wright replied..Poilievre then asked the reporter "Who are the experts?"."I'm sorry that your question seems to be based on a false premise," Poilievre told Wright.."You can't even tell me who these experts are. It sounds like it's just a CBC smear job. Thank you.".Poilievre said Justin Trudeau supporters are so desperate to distract Canadians because his political career is "falling apart."."So we're seeing an attempt here to distract and protect Justin Trudeau, from his extremely unpopular carbon taxes and other failing policies, but we won't let him or his or others distract from that reality. So thank you," Poilievre said..X/Twitter users were quick to react to Wright's social media post.."Bargain basement 'journalism' — do better," one user wrote.."What people will remember is you squandering your opportunity for asking something thought-provoking. You decided to tow the line that the govt dependent media would ask. Embarrassing.".Wright replied and told X/Twitter users she is not a "CBC journalist.".Calgary MP Michelle Rempel Garner applauded Poilievre for his response.."Change the outlet. Let's say it was the @WSOnlineNews asking Trudeau if he was dog-whistling to the far left, and Trudeau gave the same response. The response would have been lauded. No difference here. Politicians should be prepared to answer smart, precise questions from journalists. This wasn't that," she tweeted.
