Social media platforms serve as modern public forums where democratic debates take place.

Canadian politicians have increasingly taken to social media to campaign as well as communicate with constituents, sharing updates on policies, local events, emergencies or government initiatives.

But stories have emerged of constituents being blocked by their representatives. Should Canadian politicians be free to block their own constituents?

Some politicians claim the blocking is to combat increased online harassment, while constituents have claimed that simply being critical of policies or initiatives is enough to get them blocked.

Some recent cases in Canada include federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault being asked to unblock Ezra Levant on X in 2023, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith blocking constituents on X in 2023 and Montréal Mayor Valérie Plante blocking comments on X and Instagram in 2024. In 2018, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson was sued by three local Ottawa activists after blocking them on X.

  • CloudwalkingOwlEnglish
    5·
    4 days ago

    I did an interview with a retiring provincial cabinet minister once and she said that there was a torrent of vile, abusive, social media directed at her for years. She simply gave up on social media herself and had a staff member screen out most of it and send her the intelligent questions and comments. I’m kinda amazed that anyone would suggest that politicians shouldn’t have the right to simply block abusive comments—.