'What are you doing promoting Tim Hortons?': 'Smile Cookie' week tweet backfires on Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones
Ontario MPP and Health Minister Sylvia Jones received backlash for promoting ‘Smile Cookies’ week at Tim Hortons on social media on Tuesday morning.
Smile Cookies at back at Tim Hortons. Starting today until Sept 25, you can pick up a smile cookie for only $1.00. Proceeds go directly to local charities.#supportlocal #smilecookies pic.twitter.com/gdVEChVgqg
— Sylvia Jones (@SylviaJonesMPP) September 19, 2022
Readers on Twitter were angry at the deputy minister for promoting Tim Hortons’ ads instead of ‘focusing on the collapsing healthcare system’.
Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookies is an annual campaign available from Sept. 19—25 that sends one hundred per cent of their proceeds from the sales of Smile Cookies to support more than 500 charities and community groups across Canada.
MPP Sylvia Jones serves as the Deputy Premier of Ontario and the Ontario Minister of Health currently with the PC party. She replaced Christine Elliott in the 2022 provincial election.
Premier Doug Ford’s government is facing a public blowback for the straining healthcare system which some have called 'an absolute disaster' in Ontario—plagued this summer by record long wait times and emergency room closures.
Recently, the government announced new rules that can send hospital patients in southern Ontario awaiting spots in long-term care can be moved to nursing homes up to 70 kilometres away, while for those in northern Ontario, the distance is 150 kilometres.
Here are the reactions from people around Ontario.
Hospital departments closing down, staff out with COVID and this is what our health minister is focused on. Also, is it mandatory for any member of the Ford government to promote Tim Hortons? https://t.co/qhJPYPEnSA
— Jiggly (@JigglyPants44) September 19, 2022
You're the Ontario Minister of Health. What are you doing promoting Tim Hortons? What deals do you have with them involving our healthcare? @CBCNews @CBCAlerts @CTVNews @globalnews @CityNewsTO @CityCynthia @TorontoStar https://t.co/7BAD0Z9ZZL
— Nancy Crouse (@Nancy_Crouse) September 20, 2022
Tim Hortons loves Smile Cookies as it provides them a temporary, cheap Avenue for the charity tax break. They get free publicity like a Health Minister who cheers for charity donations but remember this is funneling your tax $ to Corporate.
You'll help more by donating directly. https://t.co/LMbJbS0beh— Lorelei 🏳️⚧️ ✨ (@loreleismells) September 20, 2022
What is it with the @fordnation government’s obsession with promoting fast food and Tim Hortons? Meanwhile systematically dismantling our health care system. Shame! https://t.co/JotvL1AODv
— David Griffin 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 💉 💉 💉 💉🍁 (@GriffinBlakely) September 20, 2022
Do your job and stop with the corporate promotions! How much are you and Ford's goon squad collecting from Tim Hortons?!
— Sergei🛰️Sputnikoff (@static_solution) September 20, 2022
Why is it Doug Ford can shill for McDonald's and Tim Hortons and that us just something our media is playing with? But the PM sings in London and THAT'S a scandal?
— Phil Rickaby (@philrickaby) September 20, 2022
So ON healthcare is at a critical point, education is lacking, our green spaces are disappearing and what does the @OntarioPCParty and @fordnation do? Prop up Tim Hortons, like they need a boost for profits. Do your jobs for the people not your corporate donors. #priorities https://t.co/qEkdO7gc1Z
— RJP (@mendonca1969) September 20, 2022
Scam? Tim Hortons gets the income tax deduction for charitable donation. Best to donate to the charity of your choice directly and benefit from the tax deduction yourselves instead of passing it on to Tim Hortons.
— caro (@carosteele) September 20, 2022
