Sask. NDP ‘very concerned’ about Weir situation: Meili

MP calls removal from caucus by federal wing a ‘huge overreaction’

As the Saskatchewan leader of the NDP calls the allegations against Regina-Lewvan MP Erin Weir “quite concerning for us,” Weir himself is calling his expulsion from the federal caucus a “huge overreaction.”

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh expelled Weir from caucus after an investigation found one claim of harassment and three claims of sexual harassment against the Regina MP.

“The federal NDP and Saskatchewan NDP are linked, so we are very concerned about this and will be asking the federal party to give us full details and make sure we’re fully aware of what’s gone on,” said provincial leader Ryan Meili. He added later: “It’s difficult any time you see a situation like this within a party. It’s a small community within any political party and we’ve known each other for years. To hear these stories is concerning.”

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Thursday morning, Singh said he had been prepared to take a “rehabilitative approach” to keep Weir in the fold, but suggested the MP’s comments this week — in which he criticized the investigation and one complainant — “made it clear he did not accept responsibility for what the inquiry found to be a fact.”

Weir remained “cautiously optimistic” on Thursday that Singh would reverse the decision.

Weir’s downtown office on Albert Street remained active on Thursday following the former NDP member’s expulsion.

Two female employees were present at the office following Weir’s expulsion, as the MP sat in his office on the phone before heading out to do one of many television interviews.

Weir said being kicked out of the caucus of a party he has held a membership in since being 15 years old “certainly doesn’t feel good” but he maintained he is “still motivated by the social democratic values that got me into politics in the first place.”

Singh said he “could not in good conscience” allow Weir to remain a member of the NDP caucus, and expelled him on Wednesday night.

Weir had been suspended from his duties since February, after MP Christine Moore sent an email to the NDP caucus alleging that multiple women had told her Weir had harassed them.

Singh would not provide details of the allegations.

But he said the investigation “found that Mr. Weir failed to read non-verbal cues in social settings and that his behaviour resulted in significant negative impacts to the complainants.”

The report, which has not been made public, also found that Weir stopped when he was told his advances were unwanted.

“I didn’t realize I’d done anything unwelcome.

“But when I had the chance to read the summary of allegations, it became apparent that sometimes I was slow to pick up on social cues,” Weir told The Canadian Press on Thursday.

“I apologize to those who were uncomfortable with me being a bit of a close talker. I’ve resolved to be more attentive to non-verbal communication in future.”