CALLING IT QUITS
N.S. Tory leader resigns amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour
N.S. Tory Leader Jamie Baillie resigns amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour
Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie announced his resignation Wednesday after an investigation found he breached the legislature’s workplace harassment policies.
In a statement, the party says it launched the probe after becoming aware of allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Baillie. The party offered no details on the nature of the behaviour, but says it “does not, and will not, tolerate sexual harassment in the workplace.”
The email statement comes after Baillie announced his unexpected resignation in a tweet earlier in the day, saying only he was focusing on his family and was “resigning for personal reasons.”
He announced nearly three months ago that he planned to leave the helm of the official Opposition once a new leader was chosen.
The statement says caucus chairwoman Karla MacFarlane would immediately become the interim leader of the party.
“It has been an honour and privilege to lead the PC party for the past seven years,” said Baillie, who became party leader in 2010 after the Tories were ousted from power.
Baillie said in his tweet that he has written to the Speaker of the legislature and resigned as MLA for Cumberland South effective immediately.
“I am resigning for personal reasons,” he said. “My priority is my family and I ask that our privacy be respected.”
Two candidates have announced they will seek the leadership position, but the party has not yet set a date for a leadership convention.
Tim Houston, MLA for Pictou East, and John Lohr, MLA for Kings North, are running for the top job, while Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth SmithMcCrossin has said she is considering joining the leadership race. It’s unclear who will serve as interim leader of the party.
Baillie, a chartered accountant, rebuilt the Progressive Conservatives from a bruised and battered third-place party into a solid Opposition.