Several supporters of the “Freedom Convoy” are calling for a boycott of the Le Malbord microbrewery, one can read under a Facebook post from the company. In this one, the owners wanted to dissociate themselves from Bernard “Rambo” Gauthier who was seen during recent demonstrations in Quebec with a hat bearing the logo of the Gaspé company.
“Since last Friday, we have received several comments on the promotional clothing for the Le Malbord microbrewery worn by Bernard Rambo Gauthier during his recent appearances in the media. Know that in no way are our company and the Le Malbord brand associated with the approach, claims and comments of Mr. Gauthier, ”wrote owners Félix Labrecque and Thierry Lafargue late Monday morning.
“We received several questions about whether we supported the movement. We therefore decided to inform that it was not an initiative of the Malbord”, indicated Mr. Labrecque in an interview with The duty.
This dissociation with the movement of truckers, which calls in particular for the relaxation of sanitary measures, has led several disappointed Internet users to call for a boycott of the small business located in Haute-Gaspésie.
“Gang of cowards”, “cowards”, “I wish you a beautiful bankruptcy” and other insults of the kind accompany the many boycott messages under the publication which has already collected more than a hundred shares and nearly 700 comments in a little over 24 hours.
Félix Labrecque, however, clarified that the message published on his company’s social networks on Monday was not “aiming to take a position, even if it is interpreted as such. Asked whether Le Malbord supports the truckers’ demands, the owner declared: “We are not against the right to demonstrate”, adding that he was not specifically for or against it.
Fallout Divided
Despite the hate messages, Le Malbord also received great support from some Internet users who instead grabbed their keyboard to leave encouraging comments under the publication. While some enthusiasts claim that they will never buy a product from the company again, others have been charmed by the microbrewery’s position. Even some people who were unaware of the existence of the place until now have indicated that they will now buy their beers from the Quebec company which has outlets from Sept-Îles to Ottawa via Rouyn-Noranda.
Some Internet users also wonder about the relevance of the message published by the owners, wondering if it had not been better to remain silent about this “free advertising”. One of them even repeated the saying “Speak good, speak bad, but speak about it”, indicating by the fact that they should have taken advantage of this product placement. As for this flood of comments, Félix Labrecque mentions that Le Malbord “is listening to what is being said”, without taking any measures for the moment.