Pub faces backlash for hosting Mark Carney event

A Georgetown, Ontario pub has found itself facing online backlash after hosting an event for Liberal Leader Mark Carney.

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A Georgetown, Ontario pub has found itself facing online backlash after hosting an event for Liberal Leader Mark Carney.

The campaign event sparked backlash from community members, leading the establishment to issue a statement defending its position as a non-partisan business and extending an invitation to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

The St. George Pub addressed the criticism in a Facebook post, clarifying that their choice to rent out the space was a business decision rather than a political endorsement.

“Please do not judge us for renting our space – we are a business. Today’s event has nothing to do with our political views. Like every party there is a minimum spend for the space and we were paid to host this event. If Pierre Poilievre wished, we would be happy to welcome him to The St George,” the pub wrote on Facebook.

“We have been happy to host many birthday parties, retirements and celebrations of life for our Georgetown family of customers over the years. Hosting parties and selling beer is what we do.”

The statement suggests that the pub views itself as a neutral venue available for various events regardless of political affiliation.

However, the decision to host Carney’s event, which took place yesterday, has nonetheless drawn criticism from those who see it as an endorsement of Carney in a region where he is unlikely to gain ground over Poilievre’s conservatives.

Some locals took to social media to express their disappointment, with calls to boycott the pub surfacing online.

Other users defended the establishment’s right to conduct business without boycott.

This incident exemplifies the political polarization in Canada during a tight election race between Carney’s Liberals and Poilievre’s Conservatives.