Governor General Mary Simon understands that with holding high office comes power. What she doesn’t understand is that this power is not to be used for political ends — for promoting contentious Liberal bills that are trying to be passed in Parliament, for example.

Simon held a symposium at Rideau Hall this weekend, her latest move in a campaign against online hate that she’s led since last year. The topic of discussion? The collective pain felt by invitees under volleys of mean internet comments, which could soon come under federal regulation. In 2023, Simon closed the comments sections of her official social media accounts due to an “increase in abusive, misogynistic and racist engagement on social media and online platforms, including a greater number of violent threats.” Her office didn’t specify whether these were criminal in nature.