Former MP Stoffer apologizes for his ‘touchy’ behaviour
HALIFAX — Former New Democrat MP Peter Stoffer issued a series of public apologies Friday for behaviour he acknowledged was perceived as demeaning or inappropriate, saying he never intended to insult anyone or make them feel uncomfortable.
Stoffer’s acknowledgment came a day after allegations of inappropriate touching and kissing were levelled against him by women who worked with him on Parliament Hill between 2006 and 2009.
The popular former politician and wellknown veterans advocate held a news conference in Halifax, where he said he was “deeply apologetic and regretful” for what happened when he was the member of Parliament for the riding of Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook.
Stoffer, who served as a Nova Scotia MP from 1997 to 2015, denied sexually assaulting or physically abusing anyone. However, he admitted that his actions as a “touchy” and “very gregarious, fun-going person” may have led to behaviour that was perceived as inappropriate.
“By some of the comments that I’ve heard recently, from some people in the past, they’re saying that some of my demeanour, some of my comments were inappropriate,” he said.
“For that I humbly apologize without reservation. If there is any man or any woman that at any time felt uncomfortable … because of my demeanour in any way shape or form, for that I apologize and I humbly regret that I put them in that type of situation.” In all, Stoffer apologized five times. In allegations made public Thursday, one of the complainants, Lauren DobsonHughes, accused him of grabbing and kissing her without her consent on two occasions in 2006 and 2009.
Dobson-Hughes, who was an NDP staffer at the time, told the National Post that several MPs and senior staff were present at the second alleged incident, “but nobody batted an eyelid.”
She said she complained to her boss at the time, former MP Dawn Black. Black told the newspaper she took the complaint to then-NDP leader Jack Layton, but was “disappointed” that Layton delegated the task to then-NDP caucus chair Judy Wasylycia-Leis instead of taking it up with Stoffer himself.
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he was “deeply disturbed” by the allegations, and that 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 next convention in Ottawa.
“The discussion we’re having now across the country is extremely important,” he said, apparently referring to the recent wave of allegations highlighting the inappropriate behaviour of men in positions of power.