NDP, PCs want Wynne to name MPPs disciplined for sexual harassment

TORONTO — Premier Kathleen Wynne faced increasing pressure Wednesday to release details about two Liberal members of the Ontario legislature she had to discipline for sexual harassment.
Wynne admitted Tuesday that she has had to deal with a “couple instances” of Liberal MPPs accused of inappropriate behaviour, but wouldn’t say who they were, when the events happened, or give the specific nature of the allegations.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said she understands the women who complained about alleged sexual harassment by unnamed Liberal MPPs asked that they be dealt with privately, and she wouldn’t want them “revictimized through disclosure.”
But Horwath said Wynne should be open about which MPPs she disciplined, and she wouldn’t have to name the accusers.
“We don’t know what happened except the premier says she’s dealt with it,” she said.
“If the premier has disciplined or taken action against MPPs that she talked about in the media, then she needs to think about greater disclosure that needs to happen. You don’t just put that stuff out there and then not address it.”
Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown and Horwath accused Wynne of a double standard for demanding Jack MacLaren be booted from the PC caucus for telling a crude, sexist joke about Liberal MP Karen McCrimmon.
“In terms of those that conducted themselves in a misogynist fashion, there has to be some transparency over that,” he said.
“Was there any real discipline for these cases of sexual harassment? It appears — and maybe the reason there is no transparency — is that the discipline was inadequate.”
Wynne can’t demand the Tories boot a member out of caucus for a sexist joke but then fail to disclose who she disciplined for sexual harassment, added Horwath.
“You can’t have it both ways,” she said. “You can’t criticize another leader for not going far enough and then not disclose to the public what it is that you’ve done.”
Horwath said some women in the NDP caucus complained in the past about “locker room talk” and sexual innuendo directed at them from other members of the legislature, issues she dealt with privately.
The premier’s office said Wynne would have nothing more to say about the Liberal MPPs who she disciplined for sexual harassment, and government house leader Yasir Naqvi was sent out to defend her position with reporters.
“We in our Liberal caucus have a very specific policy that outlines the process, and the confidentially aspect is key in order for victims to feel comfortable to come forward,” he said. “The premier discussing details could seriously jeopardize that.”
Naqvi said he wasn’t privy to details such as which Liberal MPPs were disciplined by Wynne or when the allegations of sexual harassment were made.
“I don’t have that information in terms of who’s involved or whether those members are still here or not,” he said.
Wynne proposed a Code of Conduct for members of the legislature after MacLaren got into trouble for his misogynist joke about McCrimmon at a fundraising event in Carp, Ont., in March. He’s been ordered to get sensitivity training and stay away from the legislature until Brown says it’s okay for him to return.