Huge debate ensues over alleged photo of someone pooping in Ontario parking lot

It's been a strangely poop-fuelled few days as far as Ontario news goes, with the latest incident involving an image of what looks to be a man about to openly defecate in a gas station Tim Hortons parking lot, which many are saying was maliciously Photoshopped.

The image started making the rounds on X on Monday afternoon, now having amassed millions of views plus thousands of comments, reposts and likes in less than 24 hours.

It was originally shared with a caption about "mass immigration in Canada," which has invited the expected racist comments in response, but also outcry from those who feel the post was staged only to stir up hate against certain communities.

I own this property. This DID NOT happen, it’s photoshopped. Do better @Harry__Faulkner https://t.co/5i7Bk2tvq7

— Raj Grewal (@RajLiberal) July 30, 2024

Former Brampton East MP Raj Grewal is among those who have claimed the post was fabricated, saying he owns the Brampton property that the picture was "taken" at, and that the incident definitively "DID NOT" happen.

"It's photoshopped. Do better," he wrote to the original poster, sparking thousands more comments.

Others seem to feel that based on the subject's reflection in the car beside him, it's hard to believe the image is a fake. "If that's Photoshopped, the guy who did it should be awarded an Oscar in graphics," one person wrote.

I’ve lived in Brampton, I’ve visited India often and I’ve never seen anyone defacating like this. (I haven’t seen it on my beach travels across India either). It’s gross to be riling up one group against another based on X-memes. Stop with this crap (ha) for clicks 💩

— nadiapr (@TheNadiaPR) July 30, 2024

As the ridiculous and often hateful arguing continues in the comments section, some are calling for Grewal to release security footage to absolve the poor man of the accusation if it is false, or for someone to track down witnesses and/or the original image that a Photoshopped version could have been based on.

The viral pic comes amid a TikTok debate on whether visitors have been pooping in the sand at Wasaga Beach — which the mayor has deemed "unverified claims" — and shortly after residents of a Toronto apartment tower were asked by management to stop throwing human waste from balconies onto workers trying to restore the building's power.