Cameron MonagleJan 11
Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦
The CBC has just posted a transcript of my recent interview with As It Happens, calling on the government to quit using X. I’m attaching a couple of screen shots here; since they are a bit unwieldy for alt text, I’ll attach a link to the full transcript below. #CBC #cdnpoli #Twitter #X #Grok #CSAM #yeg
Jan 11 at 9:43pmWeb
Show threadSenator Paula Simons🇨🇦Jan 11
Here is a link to the full transcript, complete with all my “you knows” and “likes” and other verbal tics. Most embarrassing to see them all spelt out, though I love the note about my snarky laughter! https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/the-aih-transcript-for-january-8-2026-9.7041553
The AIH Transcript For January 8, 2026 | CBC Radio

As It Happens transcript

CBC
Show threadScott VE3QBZJan 11
@Paulatics Thanks! Will give this a read, even though I already agree :)
Show threadsoaprootJan 12
@Paulatics So am I the only one who downloaded this transcript just to search for "snarky laughter", or am I the only one who is posting to admit it?
Show threadSteve AndersonJan 12
@Paulatics is there any movement afoot of getting government communications and individual politicians to adopt alternative platforms? I can see how leaving X completely could be a big ask right now, but they can at least start using other platforms.
Show threadLeave X - Protect DemocracyFeb 15

@Paulatics Dear Senator Simons,
If no other European politician speaks up like you did, we will award you the prize. Beautiful speech! I hope others can find the courage you have.

EU 💙 Canada

https://leavex.eu/posts/leave-x-peer-persuasion-award/

#LeaveX #Canada #EU #Courage

The Leave X Peer Persuasion Award

As symbolic prize for democratic leadership, we are creating The Leave X Peer Persuasion Award. More than four hundred Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are still active on X, which corresponds to nearly 60% of the total. We believe that defending democracy requires more than just laws and regulations; it also requires personal responsibility, peer influence, and setting a good example. For this reason, we are announcing this award to recognize MEPs who actively persuade their colleagues to leave X and explain publicly why this matters for democracy.

Leave X - Protect Democracy
Show threadSenator Paula Simons🇨🇦Feb 15
@leavex Oh this is terrific! I hope I can be a role model. I managed to convince my caucus, the Independent Senators Group, to quit X. And after we took the lead, the two other independent Senate groups also stopped using X. I haven’t succeeded in getting every individual Senator to leave - yet. But the three Senate groups have stopped using it for official comms.
Show thread@[email protected] has moved.Feb 17
@Paulatics This is amazing! Thank you for all you do. @leavex
Show threadhumourmetomJan 11
@Paulatics Keep it up. I haven't been on that nazi site for years. And I'm appalled that so many journalists use it.
Show threadReallyCanadianFlyJan 12
@humourmetom @Paulatics
Technological inertia is powerful.
Show threadKevin RussellJan 11

@Paulatics

Again, useful, full throated democracy love and Canada love. 👆

#cdnpoli #ableg #canada

Show threadMadame BescuitJan 11
@Paulatics
Thank you for calling out our government on this; to tell you the truth I'm disappointed that they haven't already got out of there running... and we need more efforts on digital sovereignty too. This has become a national security issue, we can't keep relying on Microsoft, Google, etc... they are not ours and they don't care about us. I'm glad you spoke out about the Twitter thing and hope a majority of Canadians will leave this hate platform.
Show threadMark DownJan 12
@Paulatics thank you for speaking out. You are representing this Canadian well with this message. 💜
Show threadSandra Hoenle (she/her) 🇨🇦Jan 12
@Paulatics Yes, Yes, Yes!
Show threadStella CJan 12
@[email protected]@mstdn.ca Thank you - keep up the good work. Just emailed the PM
Show threadDemianJan 12
@Paulatics this is a great example for other politicians and governments!
Show threadDarrenJan 12
@Paulatics well
spoken.
Show threadFrançois Caron 🇨🇦Jan 12
@Paulatics The Federal government can set up their own Mastodon instance.
Show threadAlan T Perry 🇨🇦Jan 12

@Paulatics

Thank you for keeping this front and centre. Pity CBC is still over there, too. I know they've said they are still there to engage their audience, but I would ask them 3 questions:

1) what other deepfake child porn sites do they intend to join to engage audiences there?

2) why are the growing audiences on Mastodon and Bluesky not worth engaging?

3) how many of their audience on that other site may be there simply because they want to be able to follow the few reputable accounts there, such as government and CBC?

Show threadI AM BANKSY ☕ / 🗑‍🔥Jan 12

@alantperry
I'm imagining their answer to #1 is LinkedIn...

@Paulatics

Show threadReayJan 12
@Paulatics @parismarx Wild that even after Musk revealed himself to be the abhorrent person he is, even after his seig heils, even after badly devised Grok took over the place, people STILL need to be urged to leave.
Show threadI AM BANKSY ☕ / 🗑‍🔥Jan 12

@reay
"But all my friends and customers are there!"

"Your friends and customers are pedophiles?"

It's the story of the Punk Bar again.
@Paulatics @parismarx

Show threadMark Connolly moved to @[email protected]Jan 12
@Paulatics Thank you for you leadership!
Show threadJaydenTorJahrlingJan 12
@Paulatics
weird Canada have sentators. also by the
way. Ban maid. disabled people don't deserve this
Show threadJennifer Moore 😷Jan 13

@Paulatics

Well said! Politicians in the UK could take a tip!

Show thread@daraghhayesJan 13
@Paulatics Thank you!
Show threadDavid Mitchell Jan 13

@Paulatics

People who somehow aren’t swayed by the well-documented moral and ethical concerns of using X point to simple ‘practicality,’ that in order to reach people and ensure information is available they need to “be where the people are”.

But this makes the assumption that if you are on X and you post something, that people who follow you will actually see it, and that assumption is extremely unwarranted. Try going to X and see if information from the Edmonton Police Service is easy to find even if you are looking… probably not.

The most important official information is often the least exciting and sexy… it certainly shouldn’t have to rely on gaming an algorithm or becoming viral to be seen by people who have tried to connect.

In my mind this is the best argument in favour of spinning up mastodon instances for official orgs: your information *will* definitely end up in the feed of anyone who is interested enough to follow you, no algorithm gaming, attention farming, or annoying gimmicks needed.

Show threadSenator Paula Simons🇨🇦Jan 15
@DavidM_yeg This is such an important point. Also, to be blunt, how many people under 30 are on X at all?