Local Tories react to fall of Patrick Brown
Even as his party faces upheaval with the sudden resignation of its leader amid sexual misconduct allegations, the Progressive Conservative candidate for Niagara Falls says his focus hasn’t changed.
Chuck McShane, the recently confirmed candidate for the riding, said the issues the Tories intend to campaign on haven’t changed despite the fall of party leader Patrick Brown, who resigned early Thursday morning after CTV News reported on the allegations.
“We have to talk about health care. We have to talk about the economy and jobs ,” said McShane in an interview Thursday afternoon .“The things that we are going to advocate for, and fight against, haven’t changed.”
Nevertheless, McShane said Brown had no choice but to step aside after the allegations became public.
“It was the right decision, the right move to make,” McShane said. “There is no way he could lead the party into an election with this hanging over his head.”
CTV News reported that two women have come forward with graphic sexual misconduct allegations against Brown that date back to when the Opposition leader was a federal MP. The broadcaster did not name the women, who alleged the incidents happened at Brown’s home in Barrie, Ont., after they had been drinking in his presence. Brown was not drinking at the time, the women told CTV News.
The report said one of the women, who is now 29, claimed she was still in high school when Brown allegedly asked her to perform oral sex on him.
The other woman said she was a university student working in Brown’ s constituency office when he sexually assaulted her at his home after an event she helped organize, CTV News reported. The woman said she did not report the alleged incident to authorities.
CTV News said it had viewed records of correspondence between Brown and the women.
Brown denied the allegations were true Wednesday night and resigned Thursday morning.
None of the allegations have been proven in court. No charges have been laid.
Niagara’s only PC MPP, Sam Oosterhoff in Niagara West– Glanbrook, said in a statement that scandal will not divert the party away from its “mission to ensure our strong team can share our message of change.”
Oosterhoff, currently travelling in British Columbia, said in his statement that while Brown is entitled to a legal defence, “he cannot lead us into an election as a result of these allegations.”
“The Ontario PC Party unequivocally upholds the principle that a safe and respectful society is what we expect and deserve. We need to move forward to eradicate sexual violence and harassment across the province. Every citizen of Ontario deserves respect,” the statement said.
“Everyone has the right to be free from unwelcome behaviour or advances. I do not and will not tolerate abuse or harassment, and I will do everything in my power to fight against it. My heart goes out to the women who have been impacted by this behaviour.”
Meanwhile, Niagara Centre PC candidate April Jeffs said it took courage for the women who are accusing Brown to come forward and speak out.
“I support them for coming out. I was shocked when I heard,” said the mayor of Wainfleet. “This kind of thing … sexual misconduct, abuse and harassment can’t be tolerated in society today.”
Like McShane, Jeffs said Brown’s resignation as party leader doesn’t change the party’s platform and message.
“We’ll still be talking about the Green Energy Act, investing more into mental health, child care and tax cuts.”
Nevertheless, Jeffs expects people will want to talk about the allegations against Brown when she’s knocking on doors in Port Colborne, Welland, Thorold and south St. Catharines.
“Definitely, it will be discussed.”
Former St. Catharines MP and current PC party president Rick Dykstra was not immediately available for an interview Thursday.