Manitoba premier aware of two inappropriate conduct complaints
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says two complaints about inappropriate conduct have come across his desk since the Progressive Conservatives took office two years ago.
He said the allegations were from the same person and the situation was dealt with.
“There have been concerns addressed by civil servants and by government political staff about issues,” he said following an announcement in Portage la Prairie, Wednesday.
“They’ve been raised and I’ve been made aware of them and that’s changed from the way it was in the past. I can tell you with great confidence that they were dealt with and they were dealt with to the satisfaction of the complainant.”
Pallister declined to elaborate on who was involved to protect the complainant’s privacy. He wouldn’t say if any disciplinary action was taken.
Manitoba’s New Democrats have been dealing with allegations made last week by several women, who said former NDP cabinet minister Stan Struthers groped and tickled them years ago, but their complaints fell on deaf ears.
“Things have changed. This is no longer an old boy’s club,” Pallister said. “The old culture of locker room talk in the caucus room is gone in our party and it needs to stay in ancient history. We need to respect one another.”
Greg Selinger, who was premier when the concerns were brought forward, said in an apology on Tuesday that the party and the government failed the women and should have done more.
Pallister said he wants to foster a culture where people can come forward without any fear of their jobs being affected.
He said he plans to announce measures next week to ensure that complaints of inappropriate conduct are dealt with.
One of the changes will see an arm’s-length body created to which people can come forward with concerns.
“Never will there be negative consequences for anyone who raises a concern,” he said. “That is not acceptable.”