A Toronto city councillor who appeared to be making suggestive comments on an influencer’s social media post has people talking about what is appropriate conduct for a public official.
On Thursday, screenshots started circulating online showing Scarborough-Guildwood Coun. Paul Ainslie leaving a comment under an influencer’s Instagram post.
The post was made by personal trainer and nutrition coach Eva Rende, who was posing in a pink bikini.
In response to her picture, Ainslie left a comment saying “Wow!!! Pretty in pink!!!! 💕💕💕💕 #TorontoFan🇨🇦.”
The comments were made from the councillor’s personal Instagram profile, and the comment has since been removed from the influencer’s post. Ainslie also has a professional account, which remains active but with deactivated comments.
Rende later revealed in her stories that this was not the first time the councillor has reacted to her posts.
“Lollll he’s been commenting #canadianfan for years,” she wrote.
The influencer also posted a screenshot showing that Ainslie had liked an old video of her cooking.
“He randomly liked an old reel of mine just now where I’m making soup,” she added.
Now Toronto reached out to Ainslie’s office for comment, but didn’t receive a response by the time of publication.
IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR A CITY COUNCILLOR TO FLIRT ONLINE?
After the Deputy Mayor’s flirtatious messages were revealed and shared by the media, Torontonians prompted a discussion online over whether it’s appropriate for city officials to slide into people’s DMs.
On one hand, multiple social media users said they believe there’s nothing wrong with politicians shooting their shots.
“Wow, who would’ve thought… politicians are real people, just trying to spread love ❤️,” Whitby Town East Ward Coun. Victoria Bozinovski commented.
“Nothing wrong. Even a president is still a human being. Have fun, deputy mayor!” one Instagram user said.
“This is getting out of hand… He isn’t allowed to like a photo??? It’s appropriate enough and I don’t see anything disrespectful about it,” another user added.
Other users also left humorous comments in support of Ainslie.
“So a mayor can’t compliment his constituents? He [is] just campaigning for votes,” one user joked.
“Full-time politician, part-time shooter,” a different user chimed in.
Meanwhile, some residents Now Toronto spoke to thought the councillor’s actions could be viewed as problematic, especially given that he is married with three kids.
“A little inappropriate. If he was gonna do it, then do it on like a fake account or like not your ‘Hi, I’m the mayor’ [account]. That had a lot of confidence,” Rebecca B. told Now Toronto.
“I don’t think that that’s appropriate. I think that’s very weird. Really, any man doing that is very weird, but somebody [who] is supposed to be doing better for [their] community, I think it’s extra weird… as well as [being] married. I think it’s really gross that he’s doing that,” another local said.
“He is in a position of power, he can’t slide into nobody’s DMs… Gross, disgusting. He needs to be removed,” another resident chimed in.
“That’s not appropriate. Absolutely not. You’re married, and how old are you?” another resident, Nadine, also questioned.
