An old tweet is stirring up new controversy in the Kitchener-Centre riding.
The tweet, by Progressive Conservative candidate Wayne Wettlaufer, was made a year ago in response to a tweet from reporter Ashley Csanady, of Inside Queen’s Park (a subsidiary of the Toronto Star).
Csanady was commenting on a study which suggested Canadian women are less informed and engaged in politics than women in other developed countries.
Csanady tweeted about the study:
“I all too often find my female friends (outside of journalism circles) far far less engaged and informed about current affairs.”
In response, Wettlaufer tweeted:
“Is that why so many females vote #Liberal? They get all their information from the Toronto Star (less informed) #onpoli”
Wettlaufer later said the tweet was meant as a joke.
On May 14th, Csanady wrote about the exchange in Inside Queen’s Park.
She said: “I believe him. He has approached me since and we’ve mutually wondered at the power of that social media moment.”
But on Saturday the picture of the Twitter exchange resurfaced on social media.
Some were calling the comments sexist.
“I just think this was a poor comment on his part,” said one female voter.
“People who live in the public eye have sort of an obligation to watch what they say… unless they want blowback,” cautioned another resident.
Wettlaufer’s opponents in the upcoming election also responded to the Twitter exchange.
“I have always been involved in politics and I’ve always been involved in my community,” said NDP candidate Margaret Johnston. “It just goes to show how antiquated a reaction that is to say about women.”
Liberal candidate Daiene Vernile said: “I’ve spend the last two weeks knocking on hundreds and hundreds of doors, talking to many women, and let me tell you they’re very well informed. They know what’s going on. I would not say that they’re less informed. Again, it’s just sexist and demeaning to say and it’s disappointing.”
Wettlaufer sent CTV a statement, in response to his original tweet, which reads, in part:
“The challenge with posting in 140 characters or less can often be that your intended message may not be clear. Ashley Csanady and I have chatted about, and agreed on, the challenges and influence of social media and the importance of being cautious when trying to communicate ideas using social media.”
