A media watchdog says Women and Gender Equality Canada abandoned X to avoid critical comments that caused employees “mental strain.”
“Canadians deserve more access to government information, not less,” Independent Press Gallery president Sheila Gunn Reid told Juno News.
“Government departments exist to serve the public, and the discomfort of bureaucrats cannot take precedence over transparency, accountability, and Canadians’ right to question government spending and public policy.”
Records obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter show the department deleted its four X accounts after citing hateful comments targeting women, LGBTQ people and staff, though it provided no examples.
Deputy Minister Frances McRae said the accounts were removed without notice to avoid further abuse, while the memo concluded X was no longer worth the cost.
“Women and Gender Equality Canada will shift its social media presence and efforts to more effective channels better suited to meeting our communications needs at this time,” she wrote.
