The decision to bar a candidate from seeking the Ontario NDP’s nomination in a Northwestern Ontario riding was made as a result of “multiple social media posts that glorified violence against women, or predatory behaviour towards women,” the party said in a statement.
Matt Soprovich, a former staffer to outgoing riding MPP Sarah Campbell, earlier this week announced his disqualification as a candidate and said he was told by the candidate the reasons included previous social media activity that included posting a photo of his bare buttocks.
NDP spokesperson Rebecca Elming said the party executive’s nomination sub-committee unanimously supported the decision to not allow Soprovich to run under the party banner.
“We understand Soprovich has claimed that other, perhaps less troublesome, posts were the reason he is not fit to represent our party. Obviously, that’s not the case,” Elming said.
“We stand behind our decision to work to build a team of candidates that can be trusted not to say or write things that degrade women, or glorify violence against women.”
In the statement, Elming provided excerpts of posts the party points to as examples of glorifying violence against women or predatory behaviour.
“Soprovich describes, in a blog, efforts to prevent a woman from coming to the aid of her sister in a potentially dangerous or compromising situation, saying he was trying to stop her from being a ‘cock block,’” the party statement reads.
A copy of the party's rejection letter to Soprovich provides a more thorough account of the post, detailing how he and others were able to "distract" a woman attempting to check on her sister who had been "making out" with a member of a band, writing the woman was going to be a "cock block."
Soprovich on Friday issued a response to the NDP statement, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation and expressing the importance of ensuring society provides a safe space.
He said he does not defend the content but rejects the accusation it was a glorification of predatory behaviour.
“I understand the concerns and fears that women have to face on a daily basis, and I assure you that had I felt any inclination that this was a dangerous situation I would have reacted differently,” Soprovich said.
In the other example, the party alleged Soprovich compared women to animals, writing “you might end up hitting them with your car.”
Soprovich said that example, which was not cited in the party’s rejection letter, was an attempt to parody a comedic television series.
“These posts made in my early to mid-20s are in no way indicative of my character, whether then or now. Violence against women is not a political tool. I have not and do not support violence against women or predatory behaviour. As any man, I have learning to do and commit to doing that work,” Soprovich said.
Soprovich, the executive director of the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau, said he wanted to work within the party to change it for the better.
“I believe that the accomplishments I have made as the director of a local charitable non-profit organization, specifically one that assists under represented and marginalized groups should stand as an example of my core values,” Soprovich said.
“I am invested in my community and this area, and standing up for those who get overlooked out here is why I wanted to run for the party.”
