Paradise parts ways with Musk’s X

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Paradise intends to join the growing number of public bodies and individuals unplugging from billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform ‘X’ (formerly ‘Twitter) following America’s unofficial declaration of a trade war against Canada by means of tariffs.
Musk, of course, was handpicked by President Donald Trump to oversee the dismantling of federally regulated bodies in the U.S. as a means of cutting costs, and has courted numerous controversies over the years.
“Engagement on ‘X’ has been steadily declining in recent months, with staff noticing a steep decline in reshares, comments, questions, and other interactions on the platform,” said councillor Larry Vaters. “In addition, since the change over from ‘Twitter’ to ‘X’ staff have noticed a distinct change in the content, tone of interactions, and overall engagement and use of the platform. There is also considerable public commentary over governments, businesses, and other organizations supporting a platform that is owned by an individual with strong ties to the current U.S. President, particularly in light of current Canada-US relations and tariffs.”
The recommendation of staff was to suspend the account’s day-to-day activity but maintain the account as a means of sharing “urgent information only.”
Vaters said that by maintaining the account rather than deleting it outright, staff will also prevent renegades from appropriating the Town of Paradise’s ‘X’ handle (or account name.)
“If the account is deactivated, the name will be open for another individual or entity to register, thereby potentially causing confusion,” said Vaters, who added that stepping away from the platform was the “absolute right move.”
Councillors Glen Carew and Partick Martin both voiced their support for the motion, with Carew calling the platform ‘polarising’ and ‘toxic.’
“Down with ‘X’, and up with the elbows,” quipped Carew, a reference to a catch phrase ‘elbows up’ which Canadians have recently taken as a rally cry of sorts. The phrase originated in hockey rinks as players like Gordie Howe would throw up their elbows to defend themselves.
“It’s time for ‘X’ to go,” Carew concluded.
Martin, meanwhile, said he believed it was important for the Town to distance itself from the platform as a means of standing strong against the threat of U.S. tariffs.
Local organizations that have deactivated their accounts include the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries Board and the College of the North Atlantic
Besides X, other social media platforms used by the Town include Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
The matter was discussed during the committee meeting of March 11 and set to be voted on at a public meeting at a later date.