Kitchener Centre MP says ta-ta to Twitter

The Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre is calling it quits on Twitter, at least for now.

Green MP Mike Morrice, announcing that decision in a post on the social media platform this week despite acknowledging it as an important communications tool.

“I think it’s really important, in particular as an elected person, to be able to hear from people in a variety of different ways,” Morrice said, adding he has however been feeling increasingly uneasy over changes which have seemed to clear the way for rising online hate.

Morrice also raised concern over seeming attacks of late by Twitter on the media and its role in democracy.

“Their most recent attacks on the CBC, calling into question the independence of the CBC, I just felt it was time to step away and continue to engage with folks in other places that I felt we can keep a more respectful discourse going,” he said, while making clear he’s not suggesting other MPs need do the same, only that this seemed like the right move for him and his team at this time.

“I’ve made clear that we’re [only] pausing my engagement on Twitter for now and, should their policies shift, should they reintroduce tools that are available to allow for ensuring more respectful engagement […], I’m always looking for more ways to continue to connect with folks across our community and would be open to [resuming use of Twitter] if that were the case,” Morrice said.

In the meantime, Morrice said he will look to continue making those connections elsewhere.

“I’m just going to continue to make it as easy as possible and to be as accessible as possible, because that to me is when our democracy is at its best.”

For years I’ve enjoyed engaging here. But recently I’ve felt increasingly uneasy about it.

Hateful content is going unchecked, and tools are not available for my team and I to ensure respectful engagement.

Twitter’s attack on the CBC is the last straw for me.

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— Mike Morrice (@morricemike) April 19, 2023