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
BREAKING Shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion, 1 person seriously injured: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.