THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce wants no part of an elitist-sounding New Year’s Eve tweet sent out by the president of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
On Monday, Rocco Rossi tweeted he was “Celebrating New Year’s the 1-percenter way! Let them eat cake J.” Accompanying the tweet were pictures of Veuve Clicquot champagne, caviar and other gourmet delicacies.
Rossi and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce were leading opponents of the planned increase of the province’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, a move Premier Doug Ford scrapped shortly after his government was elected.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce also opposed much of former premier Kathleen Wynne’s employment reform legislation.
The tweet was universally slammed as being tone-deaf in the wake of economic struggles many in the province are facing and the country poised for a potential global recession on the horizon.
In a response via Twitter, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce distanced itself from Rossi’s tweet, which has since been deleted.
“This does not represent the views of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. As a progressive community leader, we work together with individuals and businesses to advance the interests of our community as a whole,” read the local organization’s statement.
The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is a member of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
Rossi on Tuesday removed the tweet and issued an apology.
“I sent a tweet out on New Year's Eve that was meant to be satirical but in retrospect was insensitive and caused offense. I sincerely apologize for the tweet as it was never intended to offend,” he said.
Rossi's apology wasn't enough for Ontario Public Service Employees Union president Warren (Smokey) Thomas, who said Rossi should resign.
"An apology -- if you can even call it that -- isn't enough. This fat cat has shown his true colours," Thomas said in a release.
"He was instrumental in getting the Ford government to freeze the minimum wage and eliminate mandatory paid sick days for Ontario's lowest-paid and precariously employed workers. Rossi's tweet is absolutely shameful and he should be shown the door."
