Stoffer tried tolivenupdry environment on the Hill

In a message posted on Twitter, Dobson-Hughes said senior party leaders ignored a systemic problem.

“For me, this is about the way — as normal practice — political parties ... go out of their way to protect the electoral chances and reputations of abusive men, at the expense of legions of women,” she wrote.

“This is about how endemic harassment and assault was/is in politics and how resistant leadership has been to even acknowledging it as a problem. In many cases, leadership was the problem ... This systemic failure to even acknowledge sexual harassment as a problem, let alone address it, tells women they’re worthless.”

Stoffer said he has not been in contact with Dobson-Hughes, but he said he was willing to talk to her.

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Thursday that he was “deeply disturbed” by the allegations, and he said the party would continue to “review, renew and expand” its harassment policies.

Stoffer also apologized to the federal and provincial wings of the NDP, saying he regretted “besmirching their good reputation.” He said he would not attend the party’s upcoming convention in Ottawa.

“The discussion we’re having now across the country is extremely important,”

ALLMEN AND WOMEN DESERVE TO WORK IN A PLACE WHERE THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE AND NOT HARASSED.

he said, apparently referring to the recent wave of allegations highlighting the inappropriate behaviour of men in positions of power. “All men and women deserve to work in a place where they feel comfortable and not harassed in any way, shape or form.”

Stoffer, speaking to reporters gathered outside the Canadian Immigration Museum at Pier 21, said he did not intend to “insult or demean or belittle” anyone, but he said he has come to accept that’s “exactly what happened.”

He said he grew up listening to the raunchy humour of Rodney Dangerfield and Canadian comedians Maclean and Maclean, a notorious musical duo known for their strong language and bawdy topics. As well, he mentioned his attempt to enliven the “dry and toxic environment” on Parliament Hill by organizing an annual “all-party party” for the 3,000 people who work in the parliamentary precinct.

“Everybody knows that the office I had was, what I would call, a fun office,” he said, adding that visitors were encouraged to play pool, shoot darts or “have a cold one.”