Screenshot of video posted to social media by Caryma Sa’d
So, how’s your week going, Matt?
That’s not likely to be the most appropriate – or appreciated – way to open a conversation right now with Matt Janes.
The long-time St. Thomas resident has gained notoriety beyond his wildest dreams.
All because he was filmed giving two middle fingers to an online content creator while at a rally for Liberal Leader Mark Carney last Saturday in Brantford.
myFM spoke with Janes to understand what led up to an action he now deeply regrets.
Unfortunately for Janes, the two-finger gesture has gone viral on social media and he has a new moniker, the Brantford Boomer.
He suggests the time has come to turn the spotlight on “right wing media activists.”
He has been a target of trolls on social media although the support from those who know him is greatly appreciated.
However, Janes stresses he is not the lone target as Railway City Brewing of St. Thomas has been victimized with hundreds of comments on their social media page.
Janes was a former partner at the brewery and Chief Executive Dave Clarke confirmed Janes hasn’t been associated with the company since 2022 and that his personal actions and opinions are his alone and not representative of the views or values of the team. You can read the statement here.
Janes has been closely associated with the city’s railway heritage preservation efforts, through his involvement with The Railworks Coalition – representing the Elgin County Railway Museum, the CASO station and the St. Thomas Elevated Park.
Written by Ian McCallum
