MLA names not released to protect sexual misconduct complainants: Notley

EDMONTON The NDP hasn’t released the names of two MLAs accused of sexual misconduct in order to respect the privacy of the complainants, says Premier Rachel Notley.

“If you are going to respect the confidentiality of the complainant, then … we can’t start parsing which details come out and don’t come out,” she told reporters Tuesday north of Edmonton in Little Buffalo, where she was holding a news event. “(The complaints) needed to be addressed and taken very seriously.”

Last week, the premier’s office said two sitting NDP MLAs have been accused of sexual misconduct since 2015.

The complaints did not come from people in caucus, said Cheryl Oates, the premier’s spokeswoman.

“In both circumstances, the alleged behaviour took place outside the workplace,” Oates said in a statement.

“In order to respect the privacy of the complainants, further details will remain confidential.”

She said third-party investigations were undertaken in each case and the resulting recommendations were implemented.

“In neither case was criminal conduct alleged. In both cases, the investigations concluded that the behaviour could be addressed through education and instruc- tion,” she said.

“For the people who brought forward these complaints, the issues were serious, and — as in every case involving allegations of inappropriate behaviour — they needed to be heard and addressed.”

One workplace complaint was filed against a sitting UCP MLA, a caucus spokeswoman said Friday.

“The matter was addressed by the Legislative Assembly Office according to the processes outlined in the respectful workplace policy,” said UCP caucus spokeswoman Christine Myatt in a statement.

“The matter is complete and all concerns have been addressed.”