Media Lock-Up for Budget 2023

March 15, 2023

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, will present Budget 2023 in the House of Commons on March 28, 2023, at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET.

The embargoed reading for media will be accessible in-person only, as was the standard practice before the COVID-19 pandemic. The embargoed reading will be held at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa.

Entry to the media lock-up is restricted to journalists accredited through the Parliamentary Press Gallery and experts media outlets choose to invite. To register and for more information on accreditation, contact Pierre Cuguen, Manager, Press Gallery Secretariat, at pierre.cuguen@parl.gc.ca before March 20, 2023.

The embargoed reading will start at 9:00 a.m. ET and will last until approximately 4:00 p.m. ET. During the embargoed reading, Department of Finance officials will be on site to provide information on a deep background, not-for-attribution basis only. Audio recording or video recording with audio of these briefings for the purpose of broadcast is strictly prohibited.

Date

March 28, 2023

Times

Note: all times Eastern Time

8:30 a.m.
Doors open for media registration.

9:00 a.m.
Embargoed reading begins.

10:30 a.m. 
Department of Finance officials will be available to provide information on a deep background, not-for-attribution basis only. Audio recording or video recording with audio of these briefings for the purpose of broadcast is strictly prohibited.

2:30 p.m. 
The Deputy Prime Minister’s embargoed press conference begins. Simultaneous interpretation will be available.

4:00 p.m.
(approximate time) The Deputy Prime Minister delivers remarks in the House of Commons. Embargo is lifted by a Department of Finance official.

Embargo procedure

Upon arrival at the embargoed reading, all media representatives and experts will be required to accept the terms of an undertaking with respect to the embargo prior to taking part in the secure reading. Paper copies of the Budget documents and USB keys with e-versions of the documents will be available when the lock-up starts at 9:00 a.m. These documents will remain under embargo until it is lifted by a Department of Finance official once the Deputy Prime Minister begins speaking in the House of Commons at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET.

Once the lock-up has commenced, no one will be allowed to leave the secured area or contact anyone outside of the lock-up until the embargo is lifted.

The Department of Finance, after consultation with the Parliamentary Press Gallery Executive, may refuse access to any future economic update or Budget embargoed reading, or other Department of Finance embargoed releases, to any person and/or their affiliate organization if they breach the terms of the embargo agreement.

Devices allowed in the media lock-up

Laptops, tablets and other portable computers are allowed. Media will be responsible for switching these devices to "airplane mode" with all radio (receiving or transmitting) and internal built-in wireless functionalities disabled. Those who fail to do so will be required to put away their computer/tablet in a sealed envelope until the embargo is lifted.

Devices not allowed in the lock-up

Wireless communication devices including cellular phones, smartwatches, smartphones, wireless  printers, two-way radios, and/or any other removable wireless communication devices including modems, air cards, mobile hotspots, and wireless microphones are not allowed.

These items will be required to be put away in a sealed envelope until the embargo is lifted.

Space Allocation and Equipment Set-Up

Space will be allocated in advance by the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Media organizations wishing to make arrangements for data lines, as well as other technical or electrical requirements, can contact mediare@fin.gc.ca.

Set-up of equipment and lines will take place from noon to 6:00 p.m. on March 27, 2023. All equipment installations and testing must be completed by 8:00 a.m. on March 28. Doors to the embargoed reading room will open at 8:30 a.m. on March 28, 2023.

Once the embargo is lifted, please note that the embargoed reading space will continue to be available until 6:00 p.m., at which time any remaining media organizations present will need to vacate the premises.

Meals and Refreshments

Members of the media may purchase food and refreshments from the restaurant located in the secured reading area. The cost will be approximately $15 for lunch.

Coffee, tea and water will be made available free of charge in the secured area.