Latest news with #CBCLondon
CBC
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Meet the man dubbed the 'Brantford Boomer' and how a viral moment is taking over his life
A St. Thomas, Ont., man photographed flashing two middle fingers outside a recent Mark Carney rally says he regrets the impulsive gesture, saying it's led to a wave of online abuse against his family and organizations he's been affiliated with. The image of Matt Janes, a local Liberal campaign volunteer, was taken on Friday as the retiree and other Carney supporters stood in line to enter a meet-and-greet for the Liberal leader at a Brantford brewery. The photo posted online last week went viral, with some commentors dubbing Janes the "Brantford Boomer." Amid a heated federal election campaign, posts and memes of the photo have racked up thousands of views on X, Facebook, and TikTok. Speaking with CBC London Thursday, Janes rejected the nickname's implication and online suggestions his middle fingers were aimed at or symbolized apathy toward the concerns of younger Canadians, asserting the gesture was solely to the photographer and anti-Carney protesters. "There was a bunch of them. They were yelling at the people in the lineup. They were calling us names," Janes said of the protesters, who were on the other side of the laneway, at least one holding an "F--k Carney" flag. "They had a megaphone where they were yelling out conspiracy theories, and there were cameras everywhere. They were filming us. They were taking our pictures." Videos posted to Facebook show one protester shouting an offensive comment about Carney's daughter and another describing RCMP members as "pedo protectors" and Carney supporters as "pedo lovers." As Janes and others approached the entrance, someone filming on their phone came up to them, and he says he reacted in the moment. "I gave the protesters the reaction they were looking for," he said, noting he is regretful of his actions. Janes, a volunteer for David Goodwin, the Liberal candidate in Elgin–St. Thomas–London South, was quickly identified, and says he's since become a target of right-wing activists. Describing the past week as being "a week from hell," he said hundreds of comments forced him to delete his Facebook page. Other organizations linked to him have also been targeted, including a local brewery where he was once the part owner and a community organization in St. Thomas where he volunteers. Also being targeted online is a St. Thomas yarn store founded by his wife, but that she sold six years ago. "We've been getting some comments and posts on our Facebook account. Also, reviews on our Google account, emails, and a few phone calls," said Jolyn Gardner, the owner of Little Red Mitten. "We are a small business just trying to do our work, and it's causing a lot of upheaval for no reason." What these people want is to discourage active participation in the politics of our country. - Matt Janes Things have continued to escalate over the course of the week as more people share the photo, Janes said. "It's taken over my life. My wife is very upset as well, too," he said, adding she has become self-conscious about going out in public. The couple hopes things will die down after the election. "What these people want is they want to discourage active participation in the politics of our country." Traumatic experience, expert says One reputation expert says such viral incidents have become more common with social media, affecting more non-public individuals and those with lower amounts of fame. Suddenly being the focus of a viral incident can be traumatic, especially for something negative, said Matt Earle, president of a Toronto-based online reputation management firm. "It's very hard to deal with mentally. Usually, it's quite unfair, and people are not really taking any time to learn anything about you," before posting their opinion online, he said. Initial viral moments will fizzle out naturally, but Earle says the challenge comes in the leftover remnants that live on across the internet. For non-public people who find themselves going viral, he says it's best to just put out a good statement online or to the media and to lie low.
CBC
17-03-2025
- General
- CBC
London's had green bins for 1 year and people making meals for the homeless say they want in
Sixty per cent of organic waste is being diverted from landfills in London One year into London launching the green bin program that new data shows is being well used by homeowners, groups running meal programs for the needy say they've got a lot of organic waste that shouldn't be going ot the landfill. The non-profit hosting lunch out of St. John the Evangelist Church and Saint Paul's Cathedral serves approximately 400 people weekly, according to organizers, and a lot of compost is created. "The City of London will not give us green bins because we are considered a business," Heather McNamara said. Her group estimates they toss six garbage bags of compostable waste after every meal, three times a week. Residential homes first received a green bin in January 2024, and with the exception of two apartment buildings being piloted for future distribution, homeowners remain the only Londoners currently able to participate in the program. On Monday, a city committee will review feedback on the first year of the green bin program which shows participation rates are slightly above the provincial average. The overall curbside residential diversion of organic waste increased from 51 per cent in 2023 to 60 percent in 2024 in London. The city is aware more people, including non-profits, want to participate in the program but the cost of collecting more green bins, and processing the material is a factor, Director of Environment, Fleet & Solid Waste Jay Stanford said. Watch | Take a tour of the compost depot Media Video | CBC News London : What happens to your waste once it goes in the green bin? Caption: CBC London got a tour of the Convertus facility which will process and manage waste coming from the green bin program set to start in London on Jan. 15. Open Full Embed in New Tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage. Changes that are being considered, Stanford said, include getting more multi-unit buildings into the program, and allowing Londoners to use the bins to dispose of pet waste. Still, non-profits are not off the table, with Stanford suggesting the city could look at including them in six months time. 'Chomping' for green bins London is facing a well documented homelessness and affordability crisis, with foodbanks and charities at capacity. Some received donations directly from farmers and food rescue groups, and non-profit groups say that sometimes when it arrives, not everything is fresh enough to be served. That only contributes to waste headed to the landfill. The Sisters of St. Joseph, which hosts six community means every week at its Queens Avenue cafe and other locations, said they would "chomp at the bit" to be part of the green bin program. "The sisters have been very interested in taking care of the earth for many years," administrator Michelle Vermeeren said. "So we actually pay a third-party to come and take away our composting." But Vermeeren said that the company won't pick up the organic waste from the Queens Avenue location, so staff try to reduce waste in other ways, often freezing food or using it in soups. "We're very conscious of trying to reuse, you know, make sure that we, first, don't have leftovers, and then…using our leftovers." McNamara noted that some of their volunteers try to reduce the amount of waste heading to the landfill by taking things like eggshells to use in their gardens, or vegetable scraps to feed chickens.
CBC
04-03-2025
- General
- CBC
Londoners capture photos of bald eagles from across the city
The majestic bald eagle has become a more common sight in and around London, Ont., now that their population is making a comeback. The birds of prey, which were considered endangered until 2023, are now growing in population across southwestern Ontario. They suffered a drastic population decline because of an insecticide called DDT, which is now banned. Bald eagles feast mostly on fish, which makes London, with the Thames River, an ideal home during the winter. CBC London published a story about the increase in eagle sightings, which drew a great response from readers who shared their own photos. Check out these great shots of bald eagles in the London area:
CBC
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
What to do in London on Family Day
It's the middle of winter, it's cold and it's Family Day. One couldn't blame you for wanting to spend the holiday curled up under a blanket with a good book or a binge-able series on your streaming service. But c'mon, that's what you spent Saturday and Sunday doing. CBC London has rounded up some ideas to get you out of the house. Let us know in the comments what you ended up doing. Go tobogganing at Doidge Park Grab your crazy carpet and head over to the popular Old North hill near Cheapside and Wellington streets. Your inner kid will thank you. Take advantage of free city-run events From crafts and face painting to skating and science workshops, the City of London is putting on a variety of family-friendly and free events. Check out the Family Day schedule for activities and locations. Go to a Knights game Your favourite OHL team is playing the Flint Firebirds at Canada Life Place at 2 p.m. Go to the London RV Show 2025 Dreaming about hitting the road this summer in style? Head down to the Western Fair Agriplex to check out the latest in motorhome design. Go to the new Children's Museum The long-anticipated new location is open at 100 Kellogg Lane and is fun for the whole family. Visit the museum's website to plan your visit. Skate at Storybook Gardens Book your spot to enjoy the 250-metre skate trail at the famed children's theme park. Don't have skates? No problem! You can rent them on site. Tubing at Boler Mountain Skiing and snowboarding are an obvious choice at London's hill, but why don't you try something different? Thrills can be found in tubing. Book your adventure now.
