Blocked by a politician? Get in line. Why experts call the trend troubling
A constitutional challenge by a right wing commentator has sparked a larger discussion about the role social media blocking plays in politics.
Ezra Levant, the head of an independent online outlet, alleges Steven Guilbeault violated his constitutional right to free expression when the federal Environment Minister blocked him on Twitter.
The case has yet to run through Canadian court, but it's already raising some interesting questions about political messaging and access to information.
Ezra Levant
"Even if these particular claimants aren't popular, it is still important that this issue gets sorted out because it is in the broader public interest," University of Calgary associate law professor Lorian Hardcastle said. "Many things are announced via Twitter now, so it's important that the public have access to that. (It's a) place where public debates go on and where politicians engage with their constituents."
So: are Canadians legally entitled to read the social media posts of their elected officials?
Hardcastle says we won't know for sure until a case like Levant's has been ruled on.
ALBERTA'S BLOCK-HAPPY PREMIER
If Guilbeault is found to be in the wrong, it could have major impacts across the country.
Politicians from both of Alberta's major parties are especially guilty of social media blocking, and few are seen to have as many X-ed out social media followers as Danielle Smith.
The premier has previously said name-calling and harassment will result in a block, but many of the Albertans she's targeted say it was because of valid criticism or policy arguments.
Legal experts say that poses a problem.
"When she's blocking out a segment of her constituents and not allowing them to engage with her or her views on certain things, I think that kind of exclusion is unnecessary," Hardcastle said. "It's also frankly thinned-skin."
"When she's blocking out a segment of her constituents and not allowing them to engage with her or her views on certain things, I think that kind of exclusion is unnecessary," Hardcastle said. "It's also frankly thinned-skin."
Smith is excluding countless Albertans from government messaging.
"Acknowledge the fact that, as a politician, you're going to be subject to criticism," Hardcastle added. "That's no reason to deny the public the benefits of your views on policies."
Smith's blocking is a large enough issue that a Twitter page was launched to show constituents the tweets they're missing out on.
One political strategist calls the block button a way of building online echo chambers.
"I think the parties need to listen to everyone and not just slowly serve their base," Sarah Biggs told CTV News. "We need to go back to the community mindset."
Danielle Smith and her team did not respond to multiple requests for comment for this story.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977485.1721935249!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
LIVE UPDATES Rain reduces wildfire activity, aids firefighters: Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials said Thursday night that rain over the day resulted in "minimal fire behaviour and spread."
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.