Hydro-Quebec stands by post supporting LGBTQ+ community despite backlash
Hydro-Quebec is standing by a social media post made Thursday in support of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
In a post to X, formerly known as Twitter, the utility responded to Canada-wide demonstrations protesting how "gender ideology" and sexual orientation are discussed in schools.
"Inclusion is at the heart of our values. We support our colleagues so that they can live safely and authentically, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Hydro-Québec supports the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone deserves to live in dignity and kindness," the post, which has over 250 retweets, reads.
While the message was received positively by some, a slew of angry comments also followed. Hydro-Quebec replied to many of them, holding firm to its original statement.
"We don't care! Produce electricity, that's your role, right?" one critic wrote.
"Guess what? No turbines were shut down to write this tweet. Inclusion is part of our values and we will continue to defend the rights of marginalized groups, WHILE we produce electricity. Magic," Hydro-Quebec replied.
On Friday, the utility indicated on X that it was blocking further comments from the post.
"We have closed comments on this tweet due to numerous slip-ups and aggressive comments. This tends to demonstrate the importance of reiterating our support for this community which is targeted in the same way day after day," the post reads.
"We are ready to discuss all subjects, including this one, but there is a minimum of decency to maintain in the discussions. The day a tweet supporting the LGBTQ+ community is received with indifference without generating aggressive debate, it will become useless and we can therefore stop making it."
Thousands of protestors and counter-protestors took to the streets in Canada's cities on Thursday, including in Quebec. The tensions led Premier Francois Legault to call for calm. He also announced his government would form a committee of experts to look into issues surrounding gender identity.
On Thursday, members of Quebec's national assembly unanimously adopted a Québec solidaire motion that condemned recent hateful and discriminatory comments made towards LGBTQ2S+ people in public spaces.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senators were intimidated, had their privilege breached, Speaker rules
Any attempt to intimidate a senator while in the process of fulfilling their duties is a breach of their privilege, even if the effort is ultimately unsuccessful, the Speaker of the Senate ruled Tuesday.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Bank of Canada to announce interest rate decision today
The Bank of Canada is set to announce its interest rate decision this morning as forecasters widely expect the central bank to continue holding its key rate steady.
Here is Canada's unseasonably mild December forecast
December is predicted to be unseasonably mild across Canada, thanks to a "moderate-to-strong" El Nino and human-caused warming. Warming and precipitation trends will be stronger in some parts of the country than others, and severe weather is still possible, meteorologists say.
Two Canadian citizens confirmed dead in Antigua: Global Affairs
Global Affairs Canada has confirmed the death of two Canadian citizens in Antigua and Barbuda, news that comes amid reports from local officials that a woman and child drowned last week at Devil’s Bridge.
opinion
opinion Tom Mulcair: Poilievre keeps scoring into the Liberals' empty net
In his column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says Pierre Poilievre's new 'Housing Hell' video dealt a 'devastating' blow to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberals, whose cupboard seems empty of big ideas.
Nearly 70 victim impact statements expected at Nathaniel Veltman sentencing
As the Crown and the defence discussed legal matters ahead of the sentencing hearing of Nathaniel Veltman, the court heard that 68 victim impact statements are expected to be submitted.
MPs to vote on referring 'serious error' Speaker Fergus made to House affairs committee for study
MPs will be deciding Wednesday whether House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus' video in his traditional Speaker's garb that played at a partisan event constitutes a 'serious error of judgment' and merits a committee probe.
'Widespread' sexual and gender-based crimes committed during Hamas attack, Israeli officials say
Israeli officials say there were 'widespread' sexual and gender-based crimes committed by Hamas during its Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel.
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante collapses during press conference
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante is 'doing well' but will reduce the pace of her activities over the next few days after collapsing during a press conference at City Hall on Tuesday morning.
Toronto
-
Ontario's acting auditor general to release annual report with focus on health care
Ontario's acting auditor general is set to release his annual report today.
-
SIU investigating North York collision that sent 2 to hospital with serious injuries
The province’s police watchdog is investigating a pedestrian-involved collision in North York that sent two people to hospital with serious injuries.
-
New video shows escaped kangaroo captured and wrangled into police cruiser
New body camera footage released Tuesday shows police capturing an escaped kangaroo in Oshawa, Ont., after it went missing for more than three days.
Atlantic
-
RCMP charge second person in the death of a woman in Cape Breton
A 28-year-old man has been charged in connection with the homicide of a woman in Cape Breton.
-
Thousands of chickens dead after break and enter at poultry facility: N.S. RCMP
The Nova Scotia RCMP says it is investigating a recent break and enter and mischief incident at a poultry wholesalers facility in Steam Mill, N.S.
-
St. Stephen declares local state of emergency over homelessness
The Municipal District of St. Stephen in New Brunswick has declared a local state of emergency over homeless.
London
-
St. Thomas, Ont. attracts another major development, will sit next to Volkswagen plant
It's a 67-acre property at the southeast corner of Highbury Avenue South and Ron McNeil Line, and it's now open for business after being snapped up by Brantford-based Vicano Construction.
-
Two injured after school bus, vehicle collide in south London, Ont.
Two people were sent to hospital Tuesday afternoon after a school bus and a passenger vehicle collided in the city’s south end.
-
'Will it ever end?' Hyde Park’s growth forces more detours
Growing pains are again impacting residents and businesses in Hyde Park. Throughout development, construction has promoted delays, and this week, another closure of Hyde Park Road at South Carriage Road has locals up in arms.
Northern Ontario
-
Driver charged after video captures near-miss of head-on collision
A video posted online shows a quick-thinking 24-year-old driver narrowly missing a head-on collision on a northern Ontario highway.
-
Fatal crash on Highway 17 involving horse and buggy, commercial vehicle
The 29-year-old driver of a horse and buggy was killed in a crash with a commercial vehicle on Highway 17 near Iron Bridge on Monday evening, police say.
-
Cherished, 400-pound church bell stolen from Sudbury-area church
A Roman Catholic artifact has been stolen from St. Christopher Catholic Church in Whitefish, a small community west of Sudbury.
Calgary
-
Calgary firefighters battle Maple Ridge house fire
A southeast Calgary home was destroyed and two neighbouring homes were damaged in a Tuesday afternoon blaze, but no one was hurt.
-
Grass fire north of Calgary under control; downed power line suspected cause
A grass fire north of Calgary believed to have been caused by a downed power line has been brought under control.
-
Construction delayed on Alberta's new wildlife overpass outside of Banff
The construction of a wildlife overpass along the Trans-Canada Highway has been delayed.
Kitchener
-
Kitchener man jumps into action to intervene in an alleged sexual assault
A Kitchener man is still grappling with what he witnessed on Monday morning when an alleged sexual assault happened right outside his home.
-
Kitchener Rangers make it rain at Teddy Bear Toss game
Tuesday night was one of the most anticipated hockey games of the Kitchener Rangers season – the annual Teddy Bear Toss at the Aud.
-
Local animal control service facing tough choices after 12 dogs found on roads
Hillside Kennels Animal Control near Woodstock, Ont. is desperately seeking homes for the dogs -- before it's too late.
Vancouver
-
Family says Fraser Health failed missing Maple Ridge woman
A Maple Ridge family is desperately searching for a woman who vanished 13 days ago after security escorted her out of the Ridge Meadows Hospital.
-
Vancouver mayor to propose significant changes involving park board Wednesday: sources
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is expected to propose some fundamental changes to the city's park board at a news conference scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday.
-
Scholarship launched for volleyball player killed in B.C. car crash, two critically injured athletes identified online
A scholarship has been set up in memory of the varsity volleyball player killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Kamloops, B.C., last week.
Edmonton
-
Man arrested following shooting outside Kingsway Mall
A man is in custody following a shooting outside Kingsway Mall, the Edmonton Police Service said Tuesday night.
-
Broberg 'frustrated' with Oilers as GM, agent work to 'resolve this issue': TSN
Philip Broberg and his agent are "frustrated" with the Edmonton Oilers but have not been granted permission to seek a trade, according to TSN's Ryan Rishaug.
-
Nurses concerned about cuts, Alberta health minister hints at hirings after letters to union
Alberta's health minister said Tuesday she's "really confident" the province will be able to hire more front-line staff to augment the current health-care workforce.
Windsor
-
‘He's living on through her’: Windsor dad remembered by family after fatal weekend crash
It’s been a hard couple of days for a London family grieving the loss of a Windsor man, Kyle Paquette, who died Saturday during a car crash in Chatham-Kent.
-
Inner workings of OPP highlighted in ongoing inquest into death of Tecumseh man
The inquest into the death of Derek Teskey, 48, who was shot and killed by police after a physical altercation with officers turned deadly, continued Tuesday.
-
Windsor star coming home for the holidays — and bringing friends!
Windsor-born drag performer BOA is bringing her nationally acclaimed talents back to the Rose City for a festive holiday show — and she’s bringing her bestie Eve 6000.
Regina
-
'It's not a good look': Sask NDP criticize province's mammogram plan due to donations from contracted health provider
The Government of Saskatchewan is facing questions after a subsidiary of a private health firm currently contracted by the province was found to have donated nearly $20,000 to the Saskatchewan Party.
-
Sask. community receives $550,000 to pursue alternative uses for coal
The Government of Saskatchewan has committed $550,000 to the town of Coronach and the Rural Municipality (RM) of Hart Butte to pursue alternative uses for coal.
-
Emails show Sask. government delayed report of Crown losses before key byelection
The Saskatchewan government prevented the release of an unflattering earnings report from a provincial Crown prior to summer byelections, the opposition NDP alleges.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING Ottawa city council to finalize $5.8B budget for 2024
Ottawa city councillors and the mayor will vote on the $5.8-billion spending plan for the city next year, which includes a 2.5 per cent increase to property taxes, a 2.5 per cent fare hike, and a 2.5 per cent increase to the Ottawa Police Service budget.
-
Police recover over $70,000 worth of stolen bikes in ByWard Market
The Ottawa Police Service has recovered 56 stolen bikes from the ByWard Market, valued at approximately $71,050.
-
Close to 40 vehicles in Ottawa stolen in one week: OPS
Ottawa Police says close to 40 vehicles were stolen during the last week of November and are reminding drivers to be vigilant.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. Mountie accused of murder sometimes slept in same room as his alleged victim, wife says
In her testimony, the wife of a former Saskatchewan RCMP officer painted a picture of a turbulent relationship between the Mountie and the man he's accused of murdering.
-
Emails show Sask. government delayed report of Crown losses before key byelection
The Saskatchewan government prevented the release of an unflattering earnings report from a provincial Crown prior to summer byelections, the opposition NDP alleges.
-
Bill to protect SaskEnergy employees from legal repercussions of not collecting carbon tax passes unanimously
The Saskatchewan government says a bill intended to protect SaskEnergy employees and board members from repercussions of not collecting carbon tax for natural gas home heating passed unanimously on Monday.
