The issue of politics in the age of social media and AI came to a head in the House of Assembly yesterday as Tourism Minister Andrea Barbour rose on a personal Point of Privilege to address personal attacks and the cruel nature of some of the criticism leveled against her.

Crying at times, Barbour expressed her disappointment with continued questions about an AI altered image she posted to promote Tourism Week – even after she apologized for doing so, and taking the post down.

Recent social media posts and memes on the issue have ranged from good-natured ribbing, to downright nasty.

She made it clear that “there’s a difference between legitimate criticism and sustained personal attack. What I experienced is beyond politics. And I want to say this very clearly, I have been attacked by many people since being elected, and too often, that treatment has been deeply personal. Not only does it affect me personally, it affects my family. I have a daughter, a husband, and parents. My friends, it affects everyone, it affects my district.”

Opposition House Leader Lisa Dempster regrets what the minister has been experiencing, but wasn’t sure if any rules governing the legislature were broken.

“I will say that social media has become a terrible, terrible place” says Dempster. “We have keyboard warriors and I would say that people on all sides of this house…have had times when they’ve gone to bed with heavy hearts and have been hurt, Speaker.”

The NDP’s Shielagh O’Leader says questions and debate are an essential part of the democratic process, but “everybody deserves respect.”

“And I certainly am very sorry that the minister has been subjected to the kind of vitriol that happens, unfortunately, in social media in this day and age. It is unacceptable.”

FFAW President recently spoke out on similar issue

FFAW President Dwan Street recently spoke out on a similar issue after she and other union members and their families were subjected to harassment and threats.