Councillor Daniel Fontaine was invited to appear on the Simi Sara Show on CKNW this morning to discuss the impact of social media on local politics.
One of the first questions Sara asked Coun. Fontaine was regarding the Dee Beattie affair and a status update. Beattie was caught using a fake Twitter account by local parents and has since gone on a taxpayer funded paid medical leave. Both Community First and the School Board promised investigations into the affair, but have since backtracked on that commitment without any clear explanation as to why.
Fontaine spoke about how social media platforms like Twitter can often be an ‘echo chamber’ with a small number of people talking to themselves – but getting an inordinate amount of attention. He went on to say how important things like door knocking and attending community events is a much better way to engage with local citizens and business owners.
The CKNW interview this morning was triggered as a result of a story written by investigative journalist Bob Mackin for Vancouver is Awesome. Mackin did a thorough investigative piece regarding some of the questionable social media activities taking place in the Royal City. Here is an excerpt from that story:
When Daniel Fontaine ran for New Westminster city council for the first time in 2018, he finished seventh in the race for six seats. Shortly afterward, he realized he was tired of seeing toxic messages directed at him on Twitter, so he quit and decided he would win for the New West Progressives party in 2022, “without Twitter, not because of Twitter.”
Fontaine chose old-fashioned knocking on doors – 4,500 to 5,000, by his count – and talking face-to-face with real people, with real names. He finished sixth last October, winning a seat with almost 1,900 more votes than his 2018 tally.
“I never regret that decision,” Fontaine said.
That didn’t solve the entire problem for Fontaine, who was the CEO of Metis Nation B.C. from March 2020 to May 2022. He was still a target online.
“The only way I find out about them is if people screenshot them and send them to me,” said Fontaine. “So, I am aware that there were several incredibly vile and disgusting tweets that were sent out and imagery on the @NWRegressives [account], putting me into orange T-shirts and mocking the fact that I’m Indigenous was just beyond the pale.”
The most-notorious account was under the name Allan Whitterstone. Whistleblower Sarah Arboleda went public on June 14 with evidence that Community First New West (CFNW) school board trustee Dee Beattie was tweeting from @AlfromNW “to harass parents, teachers, and even the head of the BCTF for years.” Arboleda said she and her husband, James Plett, noticed odd comments from “Allan” any time they were critical of the school board.
Beattie admitted to it, was kicked out of the NDP-aligned party’s caucus and announced she would go on leave due to illness. She has resisted calls from the rest of the board and the District Parents’ Advisory Committee to resign. She refused an interview request.
To listen to the entire CKNW interview, click on the logo below.
