The office of Canada’s Governor General has announced it is turning off comments on all its social media accounts due to a significant uptick in abusive comments that include “violent threats,” reports the CBC.
A statement was posted on the governor general’s Twitter account Monday explaining the decision.
“In recent months we have witnessed an increase in abusive, misogynistic and racist engagement on social media and online platforms, including a greater number of violent threats,” reads the statement.
“As a result, we will be turning off comments on our social media platforms to ensure that all those who consult our information can do so in an environment that is respectful to all.
Governor General Mary Simon was appointed in 2021 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and is the first Indigenous person to take on the role.
Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Canadian monarch’s representative, told the CBC that Simon, her staff, and those who interact with the governor general’s social media accounts have found the abusive comments distressing.
“These comments have been harmful on a personal level to the Governor General, harmful to the people that consult these platforms in search of information, and harmful to the mental health and well-being of our employees who work to manage these accounts daily,” said the statement.
CBC News obtained a 2020 Canadian Security Intelligence Report (CSIS) via an access to information request that showed “political figures in Canada are facing threats of violence and online abuse with increasing regularity.
This latest announcement comes amid fears that the Liberal government is building up to reintroduce Bill C-36, a proposed amendment to Canada’s criminal code with regard to “hate speech” communicated online. Bill C-36 died on the table when the 2021 election was called, but in recent months there has been renewed focus on censoring the speech of Canadians in the online sphere.Join and support independent free thinkers!
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