Update: Claimed to be a hoax. But as we’ve been told repeatedly in recent years, the seriousness of the accusation is more important than the accuracy of it.

Canada Has a Problem With Brandon

If this is accurate and not a hoax, this seems a rather remarkable abuse of power:

In a notice written late last week, a [REDACTED] official (see photo below) warned that “the use of the wording ‘Let’s Go Brandon” and any variation thereof under any circumstances is banned.”

“Violation of this policy,” the notice concludes, “will be grounds for immediate dismissal without recourse or labour union representation.”

If this is accurate, is there a complete list somewhere of things Canadian government employees must not ever say or write? If it has gotten all the way down to “Let’s Go Brandon,” you’d imagine that that list would be EXTENSIVE.

Also, it should be noted that whoever wrote that memo should be promptly fired without recourse. Note that it specifically says “the use of the wording ‘Let’s Go Brandon” and any variation thereof under any circumstances is banned.” That’s quite clear. We’ve all heard of cases where people have gotten fired/cancelled/demoted/threatened for saying A Bad Word, even when in the context of simply technically describing what the Bad Word is and how and why it’s Bad.

Also seemingly relevant: the Streisand Effect.

Canadian government workers must not say "Let's Go Brandon", or any variation thereof, in any communication.

😂#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/kDVpWQkqk3

— Peter McCaffrey (@peteremcc) October 17, 2021