Myers likely gone as CEO: law professor

South Shore Public Libraries will likely have no choice but to part ways with CEO and chief librarian Troy Myers over a recent sexual assault allegation against the former Conservative candidate, says a Dalhousie University law professor.

"It's very likely that something will be worked out between himself and the libraries board where they sort of make the matter go away and he no longer is in those positions," said Wayne Mackay.

SSPL board announced Wednesday that it is investigating the accusation and that Myers had been put on leave from his position as CEO and chief librarian. The board offered no further comment.

Regardless of its findings, the board still has to consider that there will be many who believe Myers is guilty as accused and think he should be dismissed, said Mackay.

“He holds a very public position in an important public institution where everyone should feel completely comfortable to come and use their services. You don't want people concerned that it might not be a safe place to go,” said Mackay.

On Monday, Myers resigned as candidate for Dartmouth-cole Harbour, a day after a women claimed publicly she'd been sexually assaulted by him in the fall of 2019. Lauren Skabar wrote on her Twitter account Sunday that the incident happened while the pair attended a Nova Scotia Library Association conference. She said the event was hosted by South Shore Public Libraries.

Myers has denied the accusations, calling them defamatory. In his statement released Monday, he said he was looking into taking legal action.

“Last night, false statements were made about me on social media,” said Myers. "These statements, about untoward behaviour and inappropriate contact are unequivocally false.”

Myers' quick downfall reflects a continuing #Metoo movement and the increasing call for society to believe victims of sexual violence. "Credibility is being given to women coming forward and making these kind of complaints because the record shows that a lot of this indeed happens," said Mackay.

Coupled with that, he says, is society's awakening of “just how shamelessly bad the criminal justice system has historically been responding to women's complaints of sexual assault.”

What continues to be a challenge is striking a balance between the accused's right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty and the importance of believing victims, said Mackay.

“You have to take the victim's comments very seriously and certainly in not in any way dismiss them as not believable, but on the other hand you have to respect presumption of innocence, the basic principle of criminal law.”

Troy Myers