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'Blocked' CBC comedian launches Twitter campaign at Stouffville MP

Stouffville editor unblocked today

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 14, 2015
By Sandra Bolan

If you’ve received this message from the Oak Ridges-Markham MP, you are not alone.

Comedian Mark Critch found out he was blocked by the Conservative MP, who is running for re-election in the newly re-aligned riding of Markham-Stouffville, after he commented on CBC’s Rosemary Barton’s Twitter feed Aug. 12 after Calandra appeared on a panel she hosted.

“@RosieBarton did a fantastic job keeping @PaulCalandra honest today. What a slippery tool”

Within 20 minutes, Critch tweeted he was now blocked by Calandra and couldn’t wait for 22 Minutes to start back up. Critch is an anchor and roving reporter for the sketch comedy show.

Critch then decided to launch a Twitter campaign. Tweet at @PaulCalandra “you are a tool” and he will donate $1, up to a maximum of $1,500 to Newfoundland and Labrador’s Planned Parenthood program.

The Sun-Tribune asked Calandra Thursday for comment on why he blocks people on Twitter and his thoughts on Critch’s “you are a tool” campaign.

Calandra stated in e-mail today: “We are into an important campaign and Canadians have a real choice to make in October. I am busy knocking on doors and talking about our plan to create jobs here in Markham-Stouffville and protect Canadians both at home and abroad.”

Despite tries for further comment on the issue, Calandra did not respond prior to our deadline.

Other people blocked by Calandra on Twitter include parliamentary press gallery reporters Alex Boutilier, Lee Berthiaume, along with TheTyee.ca reporter Jeremy Nuttall - and Stouffville Sun-Tribune/yorkregion.com editor-columnist Jim Mason.

Calandra, a Stouffville resident, blocked Mason in 2014.

Calandra called Mason earlier today to apologize for blocking him and called it an error. His account - @stouffeditor - was then unblocked.

Calandra also explained his parameters for blocking people on Twitter, which include people who don’t use their own names as their handles, those who make disparaging remarks about his family and those who use profanity.

Critch did not respond to yorkregion.com’s request for an interview prior to our deadline.