N.B. Speaker suspended, harassment allegations probed

FREDERICTON — The Speaker of the New Brunswick legislature has been suspended from the Liberal caucus pending an investigation into allegations of harassment.

Premier Brian Gallant announced Chris Collins’ suspension Thursday during a hastily arranged teleconference call with reporters, saying the allegations against the 55-yearold Speaker were made by a former employee of the legislative assembly.

“It is crucial that we ensure that workplaces are safe and respectable for all people, in all situations,” the premier said.

“Any workplace harassment is unacceptable and government will take prompt and appropriate action in this situation and whenever such allegations are brought forward.”

As well, Gallant said his majority government will ask the legislative administration committee to suspend Collins from his position pending an independent, third-party investigation.

Gallant did not release details about the nature of the allegations or the name of the complainant.

Collins could not be reached for comment.

He was first elected to the provincial legislature in a 2007 byelection, after serving three years as a Moncton city councillor. He was briefly minister of local government under former Liberal premier Shawn Graham and was elected Speaker after the Liberals returned to power in September 2014 under Gallant.

According to his official biography, the Saint John, N.B., native studied political science and philosophy at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, and spent two decades as a salesman and account representative for Clairol, L’Oréal, Alberto-Culver and General Mills Canada.