Sex misconduct is entrenched in political culture

Governments need to lead by example, writes Lisa Skierka.

Rumour, innuendo, inaction, paralysis, fear.

It is time to move past a political culture that protects the party at all costs, built on a house of cards that cannot survive the truth of what it means to work in politics in Canada.

It’s time to take off our blinders and shine a light on sexual misconduct, giving a voice to the accusers and due process to the accused.

It’s time to confront reality and effect change. Recently alone, we have emerging scandalous allegations involving local Liberal MP Kent Hehr, Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown and Nova Scotia PC Leader Jamie Baillie. Calgary MP Darshan Kang continues to sit as an independent, and allegations against him remain in limbo.

And these are just the stories we’ve heard about.

Behind the scenes, are our elected representatives, their political staff and executive trouble shooters, figuring out how to address sexual misconduct, or are they working to protect themselves and shut down further controversy? Are they focused on damage control or are they concerned with fixing a broken system?

Are any of them doing the soul searching required to create a safer, more inclusive workplace in the hallowed halls of government?

We’re seeing now that allegations of a sexual nature can bring down careers, but this masks the systemic nature of the problem. Our very democracy is at risk when the political elite are stuck in protection mode, refusing to acknowledge the biggest elephant in the room: Sexual misconduct is endemic in our political system.

There is the closed nature of party politics; the us-or-them mentality; the lack of a modern HR system in many jurisdictions; the sense that political staffers are a “dime a dozen;” the rush of being close to the most powerful people in our country; the starry-eyed wonder; the sense of false intimacy through travel and constant interaction and ongoing crisis management;

Our very democracy is at risk when the political elite are stuck in protection mode, refusing to acknowledge the biggest elephant in the room.

the desire for a human connection; the loneliness. At the higher levels, knowing no one will say no.

The stakes are high; they are not worth the price being paid by women in politics.

At Equal Voice Alberta South, we wholeheartedly denounce the culture of workplace harassment in politics that leaves no recourse for the victim.

We believe there is no place in a democratic society for threats of violence and sexual misconduct against people who hold public office or against our public servants.

We applaud the courage of those who speak up — and understand that sometimes, it takes five or 10 or 20 years to say the words.

We know that what felt impossible to a young political staffer at age 23 feels necessary at 33, after we have lived the consequences of not speaking up.

We understand that Twitter can feel like a safe space for disclosure, because sometimes, it’s the only place we will not be censored.

Every Canadian has the right to a safe workplace. It’s time for governments to lead by example, cleaning their own houses first. Because ultimately, the consequences for women in politics go beyond just speaking up.

As a community, let’s call for all political parties and all party leaders to establish a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and misconduct. Let’s demand open and accountable HR processes at all orders of government, within Parliament, legislatures and council chambers, and within political parties.

And let’s be open to truth and consequence, shining a light in the dark corners of our most public institutions.

Lisa Skierka is chair of Equal Voice Alberta South.