Carl Dufour mocked on social networks for his “overweight”

The District 5 councilor shared a post on his Facebook page denouncing the bullying he was experiencing. We see screenshots of comments made by citizens on the Mouvement-Chicoutimi page who judge his physical appearance and sometimes his way of expressing himself.

Carl Dufour hesitated for a long time before publicly sharing these captures. He took the plunge in particular because these criticisms were starting to affect those close to him.

“I’m a very giggling person basically, I’m really capable of laughing at myself, I find things like that funny, but it was especially aimed at my daughters. And I find it less funny when it has an impact on those around me. There were some really angry people,” he said in an interview with Daily.

He explains that in 15 years of involvement in municipal politics, he has never received bad comments and that this is the first time that he has suffered attacks on his physique. He believes that humans have lost control over social networks and sadly notes that these kinds of comments never come from citizens in his district, but always from elsewhere.

“It is my integrity that is under attack. There are humans behind it, and I find it quite discouraging to see what some people allow themselves. So if my publication can raise awareness, so much the better.”

— Carl Dufour, municipal councilor

More and more abuse

This is not the first time that an elected official has had to face criticism over his physical appearance. Last September, councilor Michel Potvin was attacked on his “belly” following a photo published in our pages.

In recent weeks, in fact, since the DGEQ’s accusations against Mayor Julie Dufour, Carl Dufour has noted that intimidation against elected officials affecting their physical integrity has increased.

“I have seen that La Baie councilors have often been attacked, there are also insults against the mayor. That you don’t love her because she hurts jobthat’s correct, but to say that she is poorly dressed, or fat… We are now in 2024,” he emphasizes.

He notes that the political environment is becoming increasingly tough and that young people who wish to get into it must “be strong”.

Loi 57

Bill 57, proposed by Minister Andrée Laforest and aimed at protecting elected officials from intimidation and harassment, was adopted last June by the National Assembly. It allows elected officials to request an injunction from the Supreme Court against a citizen who threatens, intimidates or harasses them.

A measure that Carl Dufour does not intend to take.

“I’m not curled up in a corner crying, being called a big pharaoh is commonplace. And then between us, I’m not that big,” he says, laughing.