As municipal campaigns continue leading up to Monday's election, things got a bit ugly in North Bay recently.
One of the candidates running for North Bay’s mayor is now admitting to making disparaging remarks on social media about the local police.
Candidate Will Boissoin admits his ideas are ‘out there.’
From suggesting North Bay sell the Capitol Centre to bringing in a private space company to launch rockets, but now it's some of his other comments that are making headlines.
Operating under the Facebook name Willy Tony, the mayoral candidate was suspected of making comments about North Bay police.
Among other things, a social media post stated:
"Watch out NBPS, we are going to straighten you out."
Other posts even called every cop a "piece of bacon."
At first, Boissoin denied the allegations, but now he acknowledges the comments are his.
“I've finally learned what private conversation on a public Facebook page means and you know I’ll stick behind my words, and that I grew up saying that term and I thought it was normal. And, you know, you have to have a back bone. If you can't take an extra name, maybe you know that's not the career for you." said Boissoin.
The North Bay police union says the comments are inappropriate, but that we do live in a country with freedom of speech.
“I don't agree with his opinion, I think it's inappropriate, again, disappointed. Lots of support from the community, from other candidates stepping up and saying it was inappropriate.” said Aaron Northrup, President of North Bay Police Association.
As for Boissoin, he's not concerned that the controversial comments could affect his campaign.
“No, not really. I've run a solid campaign. It's just basically on creating jobs for the community and increasing our tax space. Other than that, nothing matters.” said Boissoin.
Since the controversial comments were made online, dozens of council candidates and even a couple of mayoral candidates have weighed in on the matter.
