The federal Liberal party has suspended two MPs from caucus after two members from another party came forward with “allegations of personal misconduct.”
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said he has suspended Newfoundland MP Scott Andrews, who had served as the party’s ethics critic, and Quebec MP Massimo Pacetti, pending the outcome of an investigation.
Trudeau said one of the accusers approached him directly with the allegations on Oct. 28.
“I am aware of how difficult it is for people to come forward,” Trudeau told reporters following his party’s weekly caucus meeting on Wednesday.“I believe strongly that those of us in positions of authority have a duty to act on allegations of this nature.”
He added that although the response to such accusations must “be sensitive to all affected parties,” he feels he “must give the benefit of the doubt to those who come forward.”
Trudeau would not speak to the nature of the allegations against Andrews and Pacetti. However, Don Martin, host of CTV’s Power Play, reported that one of the accusers is alleging sexual harassment.
A party source told The Canadian Press that the complainants are New Democrats.
CTV News has learned that two alleged incidents occurred at different times, one several months ago and the other more than a year ago.
In response to a request from Trudeau and Liberal Whip Judy Foote that he look into the allegations, House Speaker Andrew Scheer issued a statement to say that he “takes the matter very seriously.”
Scheer has directed House Administration “to make available all internal resources to the individuals involved.” He has also directed the Board of Internal Economy, the all-party committee that oversees House of Commons business, to take up the matter “at the earliest available opportunity.”
Both Andrews and Pacetti had been removed from a list of Liberal MPs on the party’s website by late Wednesday morning.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Andrews said he intends to “fully co-operate with answering any and all questions from an independent third-party investigator.”
He encouraged the establishment of a “non-partisan process” to investigate the allegations.
“I am confident that such a process will find that no harassment has occurred,” Andrews said.
He added that he will continue to “work for my constituents throughout this process, both in Avalon and in Parliament.”
Pacetti also said he will cooperate with an investigation, and intends to stay on as an Independent MP. In a statement, he said he has not been provided with specific details of allegations against him.
None of the allegations has been proven in a court of law.
Andrews, 39, was first elected in 2008 and has served on the fisheries, veterans affairs and natural resources committees.
Pacetti, 52, was first elected to Parliament in a by-election in May 2002. He was his party’s critic for amateur sport and small business, and was chair of the Quebec caucus. He also served for a time as finance committee chair.
Following his own party’s caucus meetingWednesday, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair would not address the allegations or the MPs’ suspensions directly. In a brief statement, he said women “have a right” to be in a secure work environment.
“We want to make sure that all parties work on these issues, and I think that it’s something that we should do together to show that it is something on which we all agree.”
Many MPs agreed that a thorough investigation is needed.
“Certainly they’re serious allegations and should be investigated and dealt with quickly,” Conservative MP Erin O’Toole said.
Liberal MP Judy Sgro said the caucus is “very concerned.”
“This is not something you want to hear about any of your colleagues, regardless of what party any of them are in,” she said. “It’s very unfortunate, but it does raise the fact that there needs to be a clear process and there isn’t one on the Hill.”
Letter to the speaker
Word of the allegations broke earlier Wednesday when the Liberal whip sent a letter to Scheer informing him that the MPs had been suspended and asking that he launch an investigation.
In her letter, Foote says Trudeau was made aware of the two unrelated allegations on Oct. 28and asked her to investigate.
In her letter, Foote outlines the steps she took to investigate the allegations. On Oct. 29, Foote met with the whip from the party of the two accusers. They agreed to arrange separate meetings with the two complainants, which took place on Oct. 30.
“I have also spoken separately to each of the members whose conduct is in question,” she writes. “They both deny the allegations.”
Foote writes that to her knowledge, there is no established process for dealing with allegations of misconduct directed by one MP to another.
And she does not believe it is possible or appropriate for party whips to deal with the allegations.
“I believe that a process that continues to deal with these allegations in a serious manner will require the involvement of a neutral third party trusted by all concerned,” she writes.
Foote asks that Scheer “establish a process for dealing with these individual complaints.” She also asks that the Board of Internal Economy, the all-party committee that oversees House of Commons business, look into the matter.
She also suggests that like the Senate, the House establish a clear process for addressing allegations of misconduct between MPs.
“The Senate has established a policy and a process that covers both its members and its employees,” Foote writes. “It is time the House of Commons did the same.”
Full text of suspended MPs’ statements
Massimo Pacetti’s statement:
“At 9:30 this morning I was informed by Justin Trudeau, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, that I have been suspended from caucus, based on allegations against me of ‘personal misconduct.’
I have not been provided with the specific details of the allegations that led to this suspension. House Speaker Andrew Scheer has been asked to conduct an independent investigation, with which I intend to cooperate fully, and which I am confident will exonerate me.
Until such time, I will sit in the House of Commons as an independent Member, and continue to represent the citizens of my riding of Saint-Léonard / Saint-Michel, which I have represented with integrity and dedication since May 2002.”
Scott Andrews’ statement:
“Today, Judy Foote MP sent a letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons requesting an independent third party to investigate an allegation of harassment.
While I understand there is an established process to deal with the harassment between Members of Parliament and staff, there is no process to deal with allegations between MPs themselves, and therefore I encourage the Speaker or Board of Internal Economy to establish an appropriate process without delay. I believe that our Parliament needs to be a workplace free of harassment, for both staff and MPs.
I intend to fully cooperate with answering any and all questions from an independent third-party investigator. However, it would not be appropriate for me to answer questions prior to a non-partisan process being established and being provided with the specifics of the allegation. I am confident such a process will find that no harassment has occurred.
As a Member of Parliament, I will continue to work for my constituents throughout this process, both in Avalon and in Parliament.”
