Ontario Tory kicked out of caucus
TORONTO • Just two months after their leader resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations, Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives have turfed another legislator and barred him from running for re-election over sexual harassment allegations from a former intern.
In a statement issued Monday, the Tories said the decision to oust Michael Harris followed evidence the party received on Friday that included a written complaint from a former intern dating back to 2013.
The party said it also obtained a series of text messages “of a sexual nature” between the intern and Harris, which included a request for her to send him photos, an invitation for her to meet with him late at night and a reference to something that may have taken place in his office at Queen’s Park.
The statement said Harris was asked about the issue and only denied that a formal complaint was ever made.
The Tories vowed to review how the party handles sexual harassment complaints after their former leader, Patrick Brown, stepped down in January following allegations made by two women to CTV News. Brown has consistently denied the allegations.
The new Progressive Conservative leader, Doug Ford, said he learned of the allegations Friday night and the party’s nominations committee made the decision to disqualify Harris the next morning.
“At the first opportunity (Tory parliamentary leader) Vic Fedeli on my behalf informed caucus and the speaker that Michael Harris was no longer a member of the PC caucus,” he said in a statement.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy with regard to inappropriate workplace behaviour. This has no place in the PC Party of Ontario.”
Harris could not immediately be reached for comment, but said over the weekend he had chosen not to run in the spring election for medical reasons.
“It has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, but I know for the sake of my health, it is the right call,” he said in a statement Saturday, adding he would seek a corneal replacement for a progressive eye disease.
He left the House without speaking to reporters Monday.
Harris, 38, is a married father of four who was first elected to the provincial legislature in 2011. He was subsequently re-elected in 2014 and has served as opposition critic for transportation and research, innovation and science.
His wife Sarah told the Waterloo Record over the weekend that she was considering running in his place in the June election.
The Liberals and New Democrats raised concerns about the party’s handling of the situation, saying questions remained about who knew what and when.