WARNING: This story contains graphic language and references sexual assault.Â
A Thunder Bay councillor running as a Liberal candidate in this month’s Ontario election has apologized for his decade-old tweets supporting Jian Ghomeshi.
Brian Hamilton’s tweets were the focus of a media release Friday from the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party. The release called on Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie to condemn Hamilton’s comments.
Ghomeshi is the former host of the CBC Radio show Q.
In late October 2014, he was fired after being accused of sexual assault and harassment by several women. He was charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of choking, but was acquitted in a 2016 trial. The Crown withdrew another count of sexual assault after Ghomeshi signed a peace bond and issued an apology.
A release from the PC Party on Friday criticized Hamilton’s support of Ghomeshi in his tweet from November 2014.
Ghomeshi was charged on Nov. 26, 2014; Hamilton’s following tweet appeared on Dec. 20.
CBCÂ News contacted Hamilton’s campaign manager on Friday and was referred to the Ontario Liberal Party. The party issued a statement from the candidate that reads:
“A decade ago, I made comments online that do not reflect my current views. That doesn’t excuse them, but I have learned and grown over that time. I apologize and would not make those same comments today.”
Liberals plan to keep Hamilton as election candidate
Press secretary Bahoz Dara Aziz said Hamilton will remain the Ontario Liberal candidate for Thunder Bay—Superior North for the Feb. 27 provincial election.
Rick Dumas, who’s running for the Ontario PCs in Thunder Bay—Superior North, said in a statement that “disgusting and misogynistic comments like these trivialize the real and lasting harm inflicted on women and survivors of abuse.”Â
“These comments also show a disturbing lack of judgment and respect, behaviour voters cannot ignore when choosing leaders who will represent our communities. The comments made by Brian Hamilton cast serious doubts on his suitability to represent Thunder Bay—Superior North.”
Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie responded to questions on the matter on Friday after the debate of the four main party leaders was held in North Bay.
“So the candidate has apologized for the tweets, and there’s one thing we share in common, and he wants to defeat Doug Ford and ensure that everyone in Ontario has access to a family doctor,” said Crombie.
When asked why she is keeping him on as a candidate, she responded, “Because I think this was a long time ago, and that he’s a representative as an elected official today and he’s apologized.”
If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. For support in your area, you can look for crisis lines and local services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database.
