Thunder Bay Superior North Liberal Brian Hamilton’s Tweet Called into Question by New Democrat Lise Vaugeois

THUNDER BAY – POLITICS – Social media is a boon to communication and can be a real kick in the shins in politics. Today the Ontario New Democrats picked up on another tweet by Thunder Bay Superior North Liberal candidate Brian Hamilton.

In a press release issued Sunday Thunder Bay Superior North New Democrat candidate Lise Vaugeois states, “On top of his ‘ass slapping lady choker’ tweets trivializing sexual assault Brian Hamilton, Liberal Candidate for Thunder Bay Superior North, also claimed that Thunder Bay’s high murder rate in 2014 “means we’re effective”.”

“It is deeply disturbing that Brian Hamilton not only made tweets celebrating violence and misogyny but also that they are still visible online and continue to retraumatize survivors. If he no longer holds these beliefs as he claims, why hasn’t he removed the posts? Bonnie Crombie needs to hold him accountable immediately,” charges Lise Vaugeois, Ontario NDP Candidate for Thunder Bay – Superior North

Thunder Bay's high murder rate "means we're effective" — Bonnie Crombie's hand-picked candidate Brian Hamilton

Why does Crombie continue to support him? pic.twitter.com/bFtTsLDybV

— Ontario NDP Press Office (@ONDPPressOffice) February 23, 2025

The New Democrats add, “There were 11 murders in Thunder Bay in 2014, including 7 in 6 months between July and December. The murder victims included an eight-year-old child killed in a domestic assault. Thunder Bay’s high homicide rate, particularly among Indigenous women and youth, was the topic of the recent Canadaland podcast Thunder Bay and an award-winning television documentary series of the same name.The tweet from Hamilton is still up! What more will it take for Bonnie Crombie to drop Hamilton as a candidate?”

Last week on International Women’s Day tweets made by Hamilton brought the Progressive Conservatives into questioning why the Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie has kept him as a candidate. In those ten year old tweets, Hamilton spoke on Bill Cosby and Jian Ghomeshi and raised concerns.

NetNewsLedger reported, “I miss Jian Ghomeshi, even if he is an ass slapping lady choker, his peculiarities don’t neutralize his genius.”

In another thread, Hamilton lamented the departure of Ghomeshi from the CBC show Q, writing: “Q without Jian Ghomeshi is like a flower without the pedals. A wind without the chill. A date without a kiss. Sad days @CBC.”

He followed up with: “Or a date without the slap/choke. Whichever you prefer.”

Hamilton apologized for those comments saying that they do not reflect the man is is today.

“More than a decade ago I made several comments online that were uninformed and insensitive. My choice of words was repugnant and does not reflect the man I am today. I have long since grown, and will remain focused on issues important to my constituents,” said Hamilton on February 14th.

A Liberal Party spokesperson echoed Hamilton’s apology, saying:

“These are tweets from over a decade ago, and the candidate has apologized. Brian Hamilton is running to get the basics right for the people of Thunder Bay.”

At the time Vaugeois said, ““They aren’t remarks he made as a young person; he made them as an adult.” Hamilton would have made the tweets when in his early 40s.

NetNewsLedger has reached out to the Hamilton campaign for comment.