NDP campaign director put on leave by Horwath

Women say he ignored their complaints while in Manitoba

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has put her campaign director on a forced leave over accusations he didn’t take women’s complaints about a groping cabinet minister “seriously” while he was working for two Manitoba premiers.

Horwath issued a statement late Friday afternoon saying she was “shocked” at allegations about her chief of staff Michael Balagus, hired as a fixer after her party lost the balance of power in the 2014 election.

Balagus said the “appalling” behaviour of cabinet minister Stan Struthers was never brought to his attention and called the lack of action a “shameful failure.” Horwath’s move comes as the NDP prepares for the June 7 provincial vote, as the rival Progressive Conservatives reel from sexual misconduct scandals involving former leader Patrick Brown and party president Rick Dykstra, who resigned two weeks ago. Both parties have set their sights on defeating Premier Kathleen Wynne, whose Liberals have been in power for 14 years.

“I have removed Michael Balagus from his responsibilities at Queen’s Park, and he’ll be on a leave of absence until I can determine whether or not it’s appropriate for him to continue on our team,” Horwath said.

“His role within our campaign is yet to be determined.”

One of the Manitoba government employees, Shannon VanRaes, told CBC Winnipeg she reported problems with Struthers to Balagus when she quit in 2011 after Struthers allegedly attempted to shove her foot in his crotch.

“I sat down across from (Balagus) and told him to his face,” the public broadcaster quoted her as saying.

Other women say Struthers tickled them, made inappropriate remarks and, in one case, put his hand on press secretary Joelle Saltel-Allard’s knee and talked about sex acts he would enjoy. She complained to her boss. Struthers apologized on Thursday after more allegations surfaced.

Balagus insisted “at no time” were concerns relayed to him by any government supervisors while he was chief of staff to premiers Gary Doer and Greg Selinger.

Horwath’s office said there are no allegations against Balagus stemming from his four years at the Ontario Legislature.