To X or not to X: Halifax debates leaving Elon Musk-owned platform behind
Staff will look at feasibility of removing X from HRM's social media accounts
Amid a changing relationship between Canada and the U.S., staff with Halifax regional council will be looking at whether the municipality should continue using the Elon Musk-owned social media platform X.
The motion at Tuesday's council meeting sparked a lively debate about how the municipality should be communicating with its residents and whether local governments should be making such political statements.
U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at Canada since taking office last month, targeting one of its largest trading partners with hefty tariffs and insisting the country should become the 51st state.
Meanwhile, Trump selected Musk — the unelected billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX — to lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, sparking protests south of the border. Musk is also accused of giving two Nazi salutes during the presidential inauguration.
Coun. Laura White brought forward a motion asking for a staff report to determine the feasibility of removing X, formerly known as Twitter, as a social media platform used by the Halifax Regional Municipality.
"The reason for the timing … is just the alignment of the owner of this platform with the current government in the U.S., the same government that is suggesting we become a state," said White, who represents the district of Halifax South Downtown.
The municipality currently uses X, which was created in 2006 but was acquired by Musk in 2022, to provide information on things like municipal services, public announcements and the outcome of council agenda items. The account has about 78,800 followers.
Coun. Patty Cuttell said she feels the platform has become "hostile."
"A lot of people say that X is not a safe space.... It's not what it used to be, so I look forward to seeing what some of the options are," said Cuttell, who represents the district of Spryfield-Sambro Loop.
"It's true, though, about any social media platform we use. I mean, they're all owned by tech billionaires in the States. We don't dive into the ethics of all of them."
She added that perhaps HfxAlert, the municipality's mass notification system for informing residents about emergencies and operations updates, could be adapted to be used for other forms of communication.
Coun. Trish Purdy said she did not support the motion.
"I believe we are to be neutral and not do political moves like this," said Purdy, who represents the district of Cole Harbour-Preston-Westphal-Cherry Brook.
"If the municipality wants to get off any social media platform and use another one because they think that's where the most people will be serviced, I have no problem with that as long as it's not a political statement."
For years, X has been used as a vital government communication tool around the world, allowing for the immediate dissemination of information, especially in evolving situations like bad weather events.
But Trump's recent political moves and Musk's controversial new role in the U.S. government have led some policymakers to condemn the companies he owns.
Earlier this week, federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he wants to put a 100 per cent tariff on Tesla vehicles.
Coun. Sam Austin said he's heard valid concerns from community members about how X has operated since Musk took over three years ago.
"The clincher for me right now is the owner ... who's not just another kind of megalomaniac billionaire, but is part and parcel of the presidency down in the States that very much wishes our country ill economically," said Austin.
"They do not have our best interests at heart in any kind of way. And leaving X ... that's a symbolic thing we can do."
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With files from Luke Ettinger