PC MHA says he mistakenly shared post that calls for Liberals to get a ‘shit knocking’

A government MHA from Labrador says he shared a crude anti-Liberal Facebook post on Tuesday night “by accident,” but says he laughed at the suggestion that Liberal MHAs deserve “a good shit knocking” for supporting the Churchill Falls memorandum of understanding.

“Didn’t mean to share it. Sorry I did share it,” Lake Melville PC MHA Keith Russell told CBC News Thursday afternoon.

The Republic of Newfoundland and Labrador Facebook page posted on Tuesday night that “Every Liberal MHA in Newfoundland and Labrador deserves a good shit knocking for considering signing the MOU.”

As of Thursday evening, the post was shared 105 times, was liked 825 times, and had 226 comments. The page has 114,000 followers.

“Shit knocking” is a common phrase throughout Atlantic Canada and is slang for a severe beating.

The post followed the release earlier in the day of a 90-page report by an independent review committee. The report determined that the controversial agreement in principle between N.L. Hydro and Hydro-Quebec for a new Churchill River energy deal is not, in its current form, in the best interest of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The MOU was signed by former Liberal premier Andrew Furey in late 2024, and his successor, Liberal Leader John Hogan, was also an outspoken champion of the MOU.

Premier Tony Wakeham ordered the review after the PCs won a surprise majority government in October.

Russell believes the Facebook post was a tongue-in-cheek jab at the Liberals, and not an incitement to commit acts of violence against his political opponents.

‘We’re a humorous bunch’

“Past premiers, past people have used those terms many, many times and we’re a humorous bunch. It was amusing. I laughed at it,” he said.

It takes a few steps to share a post on Facebook, yet Russell said he did so by mistake, and deleted the post from his page “a minute or two” after sharing it. He also clicked the “haha” button on the post.

When asked if Liberal MHAs should get a “shit knocking,” Russell said he does not condone violence, but added “that’s up to the people of the province.”

Hogan admitted online attacks are taking a toll on him, and said Russell is contributing to a toxic online culture that is souring people from entering politics.

“Some days you think, is it all worth it?” Hogan said.

“It’s upsetting. It hurts. It’s disheartening,” he added.

Hogan said if a member of his caucus shared such a post, he would be angry and “would have to seriously think about what kind of consequences, as leader, I could deal with that member.”

Russell said he did not speak with the premier about his online activity.

“There’s nothing there to talk about,” said Russell.

Russell has developed a reputation for his edgy approach to politics, and had his speaking privileges temporary revoked in the House of Assembly late last month for his constant chirping at Opposition MHAs during proceedings.

But Russell is unapologetic.

“I’ve been taken out of context many times. And I’ll leave it to the people in my district who know me to judge for themselves,” he said.