Mayors discuss pros and cons of online citizen forums

West Island, Off Island leaders asked how they view social media’s effect on politics

Earlier this month, Granby Mayor Pascal Bonin stepped away from the town’s social media website. He said the tone of the online debate had become too abusive and that the computer keyboard had “become a weapon” for the discontented.

Four mayors from the West Island and Off Island were asked what they thought of the online chatter directed their way and if they had ever considered exiting the realm of social media.

None of the mayors contacted had considered severing all contact with social media.

“I follow the social media sites (focusing on Pointe-Claire),” Pointe-Claire Mayor John Belvedere said. “But I don’t respond. My style is to talk to people face to face.”

Belvedere is 10 months into his first mandate and with two controversial development projects sharing the front burner these days, he is experiencing some online heat.

“People will say one thing to you face-to-face and behind a keyboard, they can say something else entirely,” he said.

“I believe you can resolve a lot more in person than by going back and forth on social media. I want to meet people in person — hear them, see them, feel their emotions.”

Hudson Mayor Jamie Nicholls, who served one term as NDP MP for the riding of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, said his time in federal politics helped him find the right balance when approaching the world of cyber debate.

“I was an activist for many years. I had to learn (online) decorum as an elected official,” Nicholls said.

“I was representing the office itself — prudence and respect was expected. You had to consider how every tweet, every post, reflected on the party and the government.”

Nicholls said social media sites are useful because not everybody shows up to ask questions at council meetings.

He follows the online talk about Hudson, but does not respond to posts.

“I value free expression,” he said. “You might not agree, but you can listen. It’s a good way to take the pulse (of the citizens). You have to have a thick skin.”

What does bother Nicholls is when misinformation is posted and it goes viral.

“Rumours can get blown out of proportion,” Nicholls said. “And if the rumour isn’t true, it can do a lot of damage.”

Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Mayor Paola Hawa said there is a light and a dark side to online chatter.

“Overall, it’s a pleasant way to connect with citizens and is a good tool to use to help explain things to people,” she said.

“But there are always a few individuals who ruin it for the many. The tone can get very nasty, very quickly.”

Hawa will occasionally acknowledge a post with a “thumb’s up” click, but does not believe social media sites are the appropriate places for “big discussions.”

If a comment is really unpleasant, she might post a short response.

Hawa has experienced online harassment over the years. People have their opinions. But she is horrified when her husband or daughter fall victim to bad behaviour at the hand of online trolls.

“There is a lot of satisfaction in this job, but it comes at a high emotional and personal cost,” she said.

“As a politician, all you have is your reputation and someone can destroy that in minutes. It’s not right.”

What worries Beaconsfield Mayor Georges Bourelle is the proliferation of opinion, posted as fact. He said social media sites can be useful and positive, but can also prove to be a dangerous way to communicate.

“If someone is not familiar with what is happening in a community and reads something fake online, it can be accepted as fact,” Bourelle said.

“In many cases, it’s a free for all, with no self-policing taking place. Social media sites provide people with a perfect platform to seek vengeance.”

He said his engaging in debate online cannot only lead to more abuse and demeaning remarks, but that it’s frustrating to see misinformation posted and shared.

I believe you can resolve a lot more in person than by going back and forth on social media. I want to meet people in person — hear them, see them, feel their emotions. JOHN BELVEDERE, Pointe-Claire mayor