Hehr says probe ended and he remains in caucus
Ex-cabinet minister accused of making sexually inappropriate comments
Calgary Centre MP Kent Hehr says the investigation into his conduct has concluded and he remains a member of the Liberal government caucus.
Hehr resigned from the federal cabinet in January over allegations he made sexually inappropriate comments to a staff member of the Alberta legislature when he was an MLA. The Prime Minister’s Office commissioned an independent third-party investigation by lawyer Christine Thomlinson.
In a statement released on Twitter, Hehr — who has not commented publicly since the accusations were made — said he did not remember meeting the individual who made the allegations, but “it is clear from the report I made her uncomfortable.”
“I have apologized and hope that she can move forward positively,” he said.
Hehr said he had also apologized to a woman who accused him of inappropriately touching her at an event.
But Hehr, who has had to use a wheelchair for more than two decades, said that he was not aware of the incident occurring and that it was inadvertent.
“As many of you know, I am a C5 quadriplegic. I have no feeling or independent movement in my hands,” he wrote.
“Further, I have limited muscular control and feeling in my arms. While my disability explains much, it does not dismiss the feelings of those with whom I interact.”
In 2015, Hehr and Darshan Kang became the first two Liberal MPs elected in Calgary since 1968. Kang left the Liberal caucus last year over allegations of sexual harassment of a constituency office staffer but remains the MP for Calgary Skyview.
Hehr was appointed as Veterans Affairs Minister in Justin Trudeau’s first cabinet, but was demoted last year to Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities.
In his statement, Hehr said he would not be returning to cabinet but said he was grateful to Trudeau for the process, “as it has allowed these issues to be more fully understood by all involved.”