Neil Macdonald, a former CBC commentator and husband of Canada’s ambassador to the Vatican, has deleted his personal Substack account after posting online remarks that mocked Pope Francis’ funeral and insulted Conservative voters, reports Blacklock’s Reporter.Macdonald’s account, which launched on April 15, contained multiple political commentaries and personal opinions. He attended the April 26 funeral mass for Pope Francis and later described the ceremony as “plodding and irrelevant,” despite being “remarkably close to Pope Francis’ coffin.”“It is easy to mock such ceremony,” Macdonald wrote. “The outfits, the language, the incense… You buy it or you don’t.” He expressed indifference to the funeral, calling its effects on him non-existent.Other posts included a failed Hitler comparison while discussing Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre, and a scathing critique of Conservative supporters, describing them as “rumpy-Trumpy” and “anti-everything.”“Fanboys in Alberta thought becoming the 51st state was a super-keen idea,” he wrote. “Poilievre even aped Trump… serving coffee to the loutish truckers… actively supporting the ‘F—k Trudeau’ geniuses.”.His comments drew attention following the Treasury Board’s February 28 directive titled Guidance for Public Servants on their Personal Use of Social Media, which warned about the risks of online posts being perceived as government-endorsed opinions.“When a public servant’s posts that contain partisan language get amplified… it can diminish the confidence elected officials have in the public service,” the directive stated.Although Macdonald is not a government employee, Global Affairs Canada confirmed he is a “reporting public office holder” due to his wife Joyce Napier’s diplomatic posting. Napier, a former CTV journalist, was appointed ambassador to the Vatican in 2024 with a $199,000 annual salary.The directive emphasized that public servants are expected to uphold professionalism and neutrality online. “Our work is essential to Canada’s well-being,” it reads. “A professional, non-partisan, and impartial federal public service is integral to our democracy.”Macdonald did not respond to requests for comment.
