'Peegate' memes flood Twitter after Tory candidate caught urinating in mug
Conservative spokesman says Jerry Bance no longer a candidate for Toronto riding
Jerry Bance, the service technician andnow-former Conservative candidate caughtpeeing into a mugthree years ago,is the latest target of federal election-based online ridicule. The internetwas quick to mockBance's actionsafter hidden camera picturesof one of hishouse calls resurfaced online Sunday evening.
The footage, part of a 2012 episode ofCBC'sinvestigative showMarketplace, showed Bancepeeing into a coffee cup before dumping the contents into the sink and rinsing it out. CBC News received a tip late Sunday evening that the service technician in the footage was Bance.
- Jerry Bance, Conservative caught peeing in mug, no longer candidate, party says
- Marketplace: When The Repairman Knocks
A Conservative spokesman confirmed to CBC News Monday morning that Bance would no longer be the candidate forthe Toronto-area riding ofScarboroughRouge Park, saying he was dropped for not being truthful during the screening process, the party said.
But social media werealready strewn with a steady stream ofurine-inspired jokes.#peegate hasbeentrending on Twitter in Canada since the story broke.
My 6 year old deeply regretted peeing her pants yesterday; I comforted her by telling her at least she didn't pee in my coffee mug #peegate
—@hugeheadca
When someone asks you who pissed in your cornflakes, the new appropriate response is: "My local Conservative candidate". #elxn42 #cdnpoli
—@lauradyke22
The mug that Bance grabbed from the sink and thenurinated ingot a lot of online love.
There something so funny about a good Vine loop. #peegate @cbctom http://t.co/kMTUzMP3nL
—@sladurantaye
Poor @pmharper - tough day. #JerryBance #peegate pic.twitter.com/UQxIW97hD1
—@markcritch
What does a Netflix marathon with Jerry Bance look like? #conservative #peegate pic.twitter.com/V9vqo9Y3DI
—@IDEATIT
Of course, the mug got its own Twitter account.
The account was madeless than anhour after CBC Newsbroke the story Sunday evening.
...and 'Bance' became its very ownverb.
Man, #peegate is so hilarious, but I have to go to the bathroom. Wait, there's a mug on the coffee table. Do I Bance it?
—@Marty_Chan
The incident happened back in 2012.
This Twitter user suggested that common servicemanetiquette has been forgotten in the three years since it happened.
A lot of you guys are shocked but in 2012 it was common, in fact expected, that your appliance repair man pee in your coffee cup
—@lenmac1
Some of this campaign's most notable memeswere trotted out, with a pee-inducedspin.
There werehomages tothe enthusiastic Harper hand gestures (also known as the finger pinch) andthe name submissions for Harper's campaign plane.
The in-flight snack on ConAir this morning: warm camembert and funny tasting coffee. #peegate
—@rosemartland
And with any meme-ladenmoment during this campaign, there was the requisite appearance bythe angry old Conservative supporter... and Mike Duffy.
Like you've never pissed in a client's sink... #elxn42 #peegate pic.twitter.com/nAMuYbgeLe
—@parboora
The only way this story could get better is to learn that was Mike Duffy's kitchen #peegate #elxn42
—@_scottreid
Some used the opportunity to question the vetting process for federal election candidates.
There havebeen a rash of political candidates across all parties who have been disciplined or dropped off the ballot entirely for their past bad behaviour that is traceable online.
CalgaryLiberalcandidate Ala Buzrebasteppeddownafter offensive tweets she made as a teenageresurfaced online. Nova Scotia NDP candidate Morgan Wheeldonresigned after a screengrab of a Facebook post he made about Israel were circulated.
In addition to Bance, the Conservatives also dropped Tim Dutaud as a candidateon Monday. Dutaud, who was running in the Toronto-Danforth riding, was found starring inoffensive and embarrassing online videos.
What happened to parties vetting candidates well in advance? The date of the election didn't just sneak up on people #elxn42
—@chrisgray1973
Dear God- can you imagine the questionnaire for vetting the next elections candidates. #elxn42 #cdnpoli #peegate
—@RichardNairn
The Conservatives' announcementthat Bance would no longer be running just lentitself to more jokes.
Looks like the CPC found a replacement candidate via Springfield. @iancapstick @CochraneCBCNL #PeeGate #elxn2015 pic.twitter.com/WDIDwRkVL5
—@brianlabelle
Bance on resignation: It was a relief to let go. #peegate
—@LeeHunter
And this Twitter user summed up the whole campaign thus farwith a toast.
Now that I've found clear glassware, a toast to an election campaign which didn't have to be this long. #elxn42 pic.twitter.com/fm7KW2T9E4
—@JPBoutros