With the federal election just two days away, Liberal candidate for Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes, Nell Thomas, is under growing scrutiny after a series of controversial social media posts including calling to stop “keeping ancients alive so long” in terms of the elderly demographic and how the “Chinese will rule.”
Thomas, a physician and former clinical speech pathologist, issued a statement on Facebook today claiming the posts were “taken out of context.” However, the remarks—some dating back as recently as this month—have provoked widespread backlash, particularly among older voters.
On May 11, 2024, she tweeted about elderly healthcare:
“I wonder if their elderly demographic is similar to ours. Canada’s solution MUST INCLUDE stop keeping ancients alive so long, reduce expectations of patients to address every tiny complaint, AND INSERT GOVT-PAID HUMAN OFFICE SCRIBES INTO FAMILY PRACTICE.”
On March 25, 2025, Thomas tweeted: “It’s enlightening to listen to the stories of my parents’ generation. They often worked 3-4 jobs and scrimped and saved to buy a starter home if lucky. The boomers and my generation (Gen X) coasted on an UNREALISTIC and TEMPORARY luxury ride. Never seen before and never again.”
Critics argue Thomas’ characterization downplays the economic challenges faced by earlier generations.
In a controversial reply from April 12, 2023, Thomas posted:
“Imagine my thoughts when assessing a pregnant patient. I telepathically advise the fetus to sue the owner of the uterus while exiting it to this world. Of necessity, a mother must be a climate change denier.”
Some observers have described this comment as disparaging towards motherhood.
This tweet has been widely criticized as appearing dismissive of seniors’ healthcare needs.
Thomas’s environmental views have also drawn attention. On May 6, 2025, she wrote:
“Cannot protest climate change; protest what causes it. Agriculture, as known, is a thing of the past. Now it is growing indoors and underground, and farmers need support for this transition. Fermented proteins are essential. The faster everybody understands this the better.”
She continued this theme on September 9, 2025, stating:
“You must understand eliminating meat from diet is well well well (!!!) recognized as essential – and soon nonnegotiable – if any parts of Earth are to remain habitable.”
Thomas also posted a fatalistic comment about population decline: “Nature will ensure we are reduced to five billion. Trust nature.”
Finally, on May 4, 2025, Thomas shared her views on global competition:
“China is ahead of us on this. Chinese will rule. We are silly twits in North America. All civilizations come to an end by outstripping resources. Ugly and inevitable.”
Following the backlash, Thomas issued an apology on April 26, 2025, writing, “Some of my words may have hurt people, and for that I am truly sorry.” She maintained that her values are “rooted in respect and understanding and justice,” although critics question whether her previous statements align with those claims.
Voters head to the polls Monday, with current polling suggesting Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes will likely remain Conservative.
True North reached out to Thomas for comment; she did not respond.