NDP proposes new harassment policy in wake of allegations against former MP

A party official confirmed to the Post that former MP Peter Stoffer was asked not to attend the convention

Nationalpost.com
Feb. 16, 2018
By Marie-Danielle Smith

New Democrats opened their national convention Friday by apologizing for harassment past and present and proposing significant changes to the party's anti-harassment policy.

The long-planned changes are dropping a week after the National Post published numerous allegations of sexual impropriety by former Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer.

"We have all been shaken by incidents of harassment and inappropriate behaviour, some recent and some historic, and disturbed by our collective failure as a party and as a society to properly address concerns as they arise," party president Marit Stiles said as she opened the biennial convention in Ottawa.

"Let's be completely clear. There are women within our party, volunteers, staff, MPs, who have survived unacceptable and unwelcome behaviour from peers and people who wield power over them. They have been embarrassed, demeaned, violated, and in too many cases, saw those in powerful positions ignore that conduct or sometimes excuse it. Let me say on behalf of all of us, our party, we are sorry. You were failed, and we apologize."

A party official confirmed to the Post that Stiles asked Stoffer not to attend the convention. One of the allegations revealed by the Post had been brought to the NDP leader's office in 2006, but no investigation was conducted and little action was taken, according to two former MPs. Seven women brought allegations to the Post that dated from 2004 to 2016, after Stoffer lost re-election in 2015.

The party has been working on a renewed harassment policy for five months. But conversations have taken on a new urgency since the allegations surfaced, days after the NDP announced it was investigating allegations of harassment against current Saskatchewan MP Erin Weir.

Stiles announced that party members will have opportunities over the weekend to provide input on a new draft of anti-harassment policy, updating an existing framework adopted in 1999 that she admitted contains "gaps."

A new "equity statement" — meant to be read aloud before all future party-related activities begin — and an action plan to go along with the new policy, are also being proposed.

The plan includes changes to the NDP's system for screening election candidates and mechanisms to raise awareness.

"There are times when we as individuals are going to disagree as we grapple with the breadth of what is and what has been unacceptable. These issues are systemic. They will not be solved in a tweet. So, this is why we developed this more powerful equity statement and process," Stiles said.

The draft equity statement, developed under the NDP's federal council, says New Democrats are committed to an environment free of harassment and discrimination.

"We will work to prevent harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying, violence and abuse of power," it reads. "We will support anyone who believes they have been harassed to seek redress where possible and we will condemn inappropriate conduct and sanction such conduct as needed."