MLA wants probe of harassment complaints
An Alberta Party MLA wants an independent investigation into how allegations of sexual misconduct by sitting MLAs has been handled by the government caucus.
Karen McPherson, a former NDP MLA, said Sunday she has written to Speaker Robert Wanner calling for a probe into the process.
If the process is deemed insufficient, McPherson wants “a full, independent investigation into the allegations.”
Earlier this month it came to light that two sitting NDP MLAs had been accused of sexual misconduct since 2015.
“Allegations of sexual misconduct are very serious, and they need to be treated as such. I am concerned about the secrecy of the premier’s office handling of these incidents,” she said in a statement.
McPherson cast doubt on internal caucus investigations because they “simply aren’t good enough.”
“Sexual abuse and sexual misconduct thrive in secrecy,” she said.
“Keeping these investigations within the privacy of the government caucus could be interpreted as being more about protecting political prospects, rather than accountability to the complainants and to Albertans.”
The call for an investigation comes on the heels of Calgary-East MLA Robyn Luff ’s claims that the NDP leadership supported a culture of bullying.
Luff said she would boycott the legislature after levelling the accusations at the NDP. She was promptly kicked out of the caucus and is now sitting as an independent MLA. Luff said she won’t run for election again in 2019.
McPherson told reporters in early November that she could corroborate some of Luff ’s concerns.
Premier Rachel Notley had previously said the NDP won’t release the names of two MLAs accused of sexual misconduct in order to respect the privacy of the complainants.
I am concerned about the secrecy of the premier’s office handling of these incidents.