Tory harassment investigation meaningless, Jansen says

Former Tory leadership candidate Sandra Jansen isn’t impressed with the Progressive Conservative party’s investigation of harassment at its November convention.

Jansen dropped out of the leadership race — and later crossed the floor to the NDP government — over what she said was bullying and intimidation aimed at her at the convention and online by supporters of candidate Jason Kenney.

The PC party summary of the investigation into the case released Sunday said Jansen’s team appeared to be targeted by abusive supporters over any other campaign at the Red Deer convention but “there was no direct evidence to prove that particular campaigns had directed these supporters to target Ms. Jansen’s campaign.”

In an interview Monday, Jansen questioned why the full report into the investigation wasn’t released.

And she wondered why there were no sanctions announced for those responsible for the harassment, whom she said were easily identified.

“At the end of the day, it (the investigation) doesn’t really mean anything,” the Calgary-North West MLA said.

PC president Katherine O’Neill said Monday that once the party’s new code of conduct committee starts in the new year, individuals will be able to lay complaints about the actions of other party members.

“The ultimate penalty is losing membership,” she said. “We’re taking steps to ensure this never happens again.”

Both Jansen and Kenney filed complaints with the party over harassment and intimidation of their campaign at the convention. The report found Jansen was verbally chastised by members over her social and political views to the point she did not feel safe and that rude remarks were written on her nomination papers.

The report said Kenney had expletives shouted at him as he walked down the hall.

Separately, the investigation found at least four female members of the party reported verbally abusive encounters with members of other campaigns.

Kenney’s campaign issued a statement Sunday saying the former MP was glad the report corroborated that neither he nor his team was involved in personal attacks.

“Nevertheless, our campaign continues to encourage all Albertans — be they supporters of our campaign or of another candidate — to uphold a civil political discourse at all times.”

But PC leadership candidate Stephen Khan said he wants to see a stronger response from Kenney.

Khan also said he was “frustrated” by the party’s investigation “because I’m not sure it provides our membership with the feeling the right thing has been done.”

The other candidates in the Tory leadership race, Richard Starke and Byron Nelson, said they were satisfied with the party’s efforts.