Sexual harassment is a systemic problem, according to Justin Trudeau

Photo Simon Clark

Guillaume St-Pierre

Sunday, January 28, 2018 11:42

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Sunday, January 28, 2018 11:42

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OTTAWA-Justin Trudeau has argued in favour of the movement #moiaussi, Sunday, while its deputy Kent Hehr is the subject of an investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct against women.

• READ ALSO: “Several stories” of sexual harassment whispered to Ottawa

“We will always defend the women. #moiaussi, the women Walking, they are not campaigns discrete for social change, said the prime minister before its members gathered in Ottawa for the resumption of parliament tomorrow. It is a movement whose time has come. Sexual harassment is a systemic problem, and it is unacceptable.”

There was a absent of size in the room: the mla Kent Hehr.

The former minister of Sport and Persons with disabilities, has resigned from his position last Thursday due to allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women while he was a member of provincial parliament in Alberta, from 2008 to 2015.

Mr. Hehr, however, is still a member of the liberal caucus.

Before the meeting, reporters were asked a number of elected liberals why Mr. Hehr was always welcome, while others were quickly expelled by the party when allegations like it have sprung up.

This is particularly the case of Darshan Kang, who left the liberal caucus in August after being targeted by allegations of sexual harassment

The minister of democratic Institutions, Karina Gould said it was “comfortable” with the practice of sitting with Mr. Hehr, despite the allegations.

The québec minister Mélanie Joly has insisted on the importance to respect the ongoing investigation that there was a “procedural fairness in respect of the victims, but also in respect of persons who are covered by the allegations”.

The office of the prime minister has assigned to an external firm with the task of investigating the allegations made against Kent Hehr.

Last week, a former employee of Mr. Hehr has written on Twitter that the latter had the habit of making inappropriate sexual comments to women who worked with him in his office.

Mr. Herh would have among other things said to the woman in question that she was “succulent” when they were alone in an elevator.