PC candidate Tina Olivero addresses 'Twitter hate flurry'

The PC candidate for St. John's East-Quidi Vidi,who came under fire this week after tweeting about treatments for mental health and cancer, is firing back at what she calls "media spin" and destructive online attacks.

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Tina Olivero has declined interview requests, but instead submitted a lengthy statement to CBC News Thursday, saying her message on Twitter was "misconstrued," andthe resulting"Twitter hate flurry"is one reason why so many people shy away from politics.

"It's such a deflection from the real issues. Rather than talking about how we can solve our important issues, we are focused on putting down our candidates who have stepped up to serve," she wrote.

"I don't believe that's healthy or helpful."

Oliveroattractedbacklash when she tweeted her views on alternative treatments for mental illness and cancer, including claims that "self-awareness" can sometimes be more effective than medicine.

In one tweet abouttreating mental health issues, Oliverowrote that "more medication and sedation is not the answer," addingmost need an "entirely new solution starting with self-awareness."

She also claimed that medication or radiation is not necessary for cancer treatment.

I know who I am and there's nothing the media could say to shake that,but exposing my kids to it is another matter entirely.- Tina Olivero

PC Leader Paul Davis addressed the issue Wednesday, saying he planned to have a discussion with Olivero, but also emphasized that people should be free to express their views.

Meanwhile, Oliverocriticized the media for "having the freedom to spin a story whichever way they wantand all too often it's in irresponsible ways."

She said some Twitter users "do nothing but put people down for the sake of followers."

Oliverosaid it's her view that self-awareness is a foundation for success, not just in health but in all facets of life.

She said sherespects thosewho think differently.

• Tory candidate Tina Olivero draws Twitter ire after health comments

Olivero is a single mother of three,owns two companies and says she knows what it's like to "start from nothing and create and build and succeed."

She established the Oil and Gas Magazine a quarter-century ago, six years before oil production began in Newfoundland's offshore, andalso runs a company called Transformational Training.

'I know who I am'

Oliverosaid she put her name on the ballotbecause she believes in the province, and not because she needed a job.

"I will serve if elected and I will keep serving if not elected. Either way I keep doing what I've always done serve others," she said.

Oliveroadmitted to being tested by addiction and mental illness "within my own family," and addedshe has "manyviews and some great solutions" on how to support those coping with mental illness.

As for the criticism, Oliverosaid she can take it, but she doesn't like the message it sendsto her children.

"I know who I am and there's nothing the media could say to shake that,but exposing my kids to it is another matter entirely," she said.

"We are teaching our kids to be that way. Gross!I ask any tweeter or journalist who partakes in the bashing to consider their own kids reading put-downs about them. How would they be impacted? Is it really necessary?"

Davis says hehas spoken with Olivero

PC Party Leader Paul Davis saidhe spoke to OliveroThursday morningand told her tostay focused on matters that are important toNewfoundlandersandLabradorians.

Davis said hebelieveshis candidates are entitled to theiropinions, so long as they aren't racist or contrary to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"I don't fully agree with her opinionand that's the way sometimes things happen, but that doesn't mean that you're going to be chastised because you had an opinion," he said.

"It was only a week ago that we stood at war memorials and honoured people who lost their lives fighting so that we could express our own opinion, and she's done that."

Although Davis supported Olivero's right to an opinion, hemaintained,as a cancer survivor,he supports science-based medical testing and treatment.

"If it wasn't for clear science and all the processes that go with testing those kinds of procedures, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you today, it would be very different for me."

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