Premier taps public servant to do review
Commissioner for Legislative Standards to look at complaints against former cabinet minister Eddie Joyce
Premier Dwight Ball has asked Commissioner for Legislative Standards Bruce Chaulk to take charge of the review of complaints filed regarding the conduct of Bay of Islands MHA Eddie Joyce.
Joyce was removed from his position as Municipal Affairs and Environment minister and, subsequently, from the Liberal caucus on Thursday on the heels of harassment complaints.
A formal complaint regarding Joyce was filed Wednesday morning with the premier by Service NL Minister Sherry Gambin-walsh. That was followed during the day Thursday by a public commitment by Progressive Conservative MHA Tracey Perry to file a complaint regarding Joyce.
The complaints are related to workplace conduct and bullying. They are not allegations of sexual harassment, but the premier has said they will be treated with the same seriousness.
The statement from the premier’s office referred only to the complaint filed by Gambinwalsh. It did not reference her, Perry or Joyce by name.
“It is extremely important the complainant is comfortable with this process and that it reflects their wishes,” it states.
It notes Chaulk has jurisdiction in the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act as well as over the code of conduct for members of the House of Assembly.
He is empowered to tap outside resources and compel witnesses as needed.
The commissioner’s office was asked by the premier in February to provide a second opinion on whether or not there was conflict of interest in the provision of a $400,000 forgivable loan for affordable housing to Jade Holdings, a company owned by the premier — who was then an MHA — in 2015.
There has been no further word to date on that.
In this case, a final report from the commissioner’s office will go to Ball, Joyce and Gambin-walsh. It is not automatically made public.
“As I have said multiple times, I encourage any MHA who may have experienced harassment to come forward to myself or to the commissioner who can initiate similar reviews on a case-by-case basis,” Ball said in the statement.
“In addition, I encourage MHAS who feel they may need additional supports to reach out and utilize the Employee Assistance Program which can provide confidential counselling for any matters or issues they would like to discuss as we work our way through these processes.”
The House of Assembly does not typically sit on Fridays. Thursday’s proceedings in the House were cut short by the Liberals, winning a vote for an early adjournment at the end of question period to review information arising on Joyce’s conduct.
The House will be back again on Monday, when Joyce will sit as an Independent.