Kinew puts harassment policies in spotlight after former Tory minister alleges groping by ex-MLA

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This article was published 12/03/2024 (584 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has ordered a review of a harassment-reporting policy for government employees, after a former Tory cabinet minister said she was groped by an ex-MLA.

Kinew said he was disturbed to learn of the alleged assault against Sarah Guillemard, who said Friday — International Women’s Day — the incident occurred at a gala event in March 2017.

“She’s somebody that I spent two terms alongside and have respect for,” the NDP premier told the Free Press on Tuesday.

On Monday, Kinew asked the clerk of the executive council — head of Manitoba’s civil service — to review the “no wrong door” initiative implemented by the Progressive Conservatives in 2018.

The initiative allows government employees to report harassment directly to the Public Service Commission, the executive council clerk or both.

Kinew said the review will determine whether the policy needs to be strengthened or updated. He said a review is needed because the policy is about five years old.

Reporting guidance and mandatory anti-harassment training are included in Manitoba’s respectful workplace policies for MLAs and civil servants.

Guillemard, the MLA for Fort Richmond from 2016 to 2023, told the Free Press further efforts are needed to support people who come forward and ensure meaningful consequences are handed out.

“We (as a society) have made progress to encourage people to come forward with reporting, but the consequences enacted are still dependent on the reputational value of the accused and/or the strength/persistence of the accuser,” she wrote in an email.

“She’s somebody that I spent two terms alongside and have respect for.”–Wab Kinew

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Guillemard alleged she was groped by an older, former MLA. She didn’t identify the man.

During the #MeToo movement, she decided to explore channels within the legislative assembly and the PC party to find out what could be done to help her feel safe at work.

More people became aware of the allegation during the ensuing process. Guillemard said the man neither admitted nor denied the allegation, but agreed to restrictions placed upon him at the legislature.

Guillemard said she was asked not to share her story and was later removed from extra duties and responsibilities, after two colleagues asked her not to attend an event in which the man was to receive recognition in the legislative chamber, to avoid making him feel uncomfortable.

Guillemard said she refused to comply and was warned it would look “awkward” if she did not stand to clap. She said she retorted he should reconsider getting the recognition.

Interim PC leader Wayne Ewasko, who was caucus chair around the time of the alleged incident, told reporters he had no role in the removal of Guillemard’s responsibilities.

Ewasko said he has “reached out” to Guillemard since she shared the allegations and is working with others to “make sure this culture doesn’t happen” in the Tory party.

“There is no place for any type of disrespectful workplace, whether that’s any kind of harassment, abuse,” he said.

Guillemard told the Free Press she decided to share her story with the public “to shed light on the need for continued efforts in support of people who report these violations.”

“Every workplace struggles with how to respond (I am positive your own workplace has stories of its own),” she wrote. “The onus continues to be on the ‘reporter’ of inappropriate actions to follow careful rules to protect the information from spreading, and not enough on the procedures to keep them safe from the individuals who created the situation in the first place.

“That needs to change.”

The Tories introduced the “no wrong door” initiative, among other measures, after former NDP cabinet minister Stan Struthers was publicly accused of inappropriately touching multiple female staff members and making sexual comments.

Multiple women said complaints to NDP officials years earlier were never addressed.

At the time, political staff could only take complaints to their direct supervisor or the chief of staff.

Struthers, an MLA from 1995 to 2016, was called “Minister Tickles” behind his back. He issued an apology after the allegations became public.

“There is no place for any type of disrespectful workplace, whether that’s any kind of harassment, abuse.”–Wayne Ewasko

Joëlle Saltel, one of the women who spoke publicly, was reminded of her own #MeToo moment, when she read Guillemard’s posts. She allowed the Free Press to quote a statement she posted on social media Saturday.

“While society as a whole has experienced a shift in attitudes, it’s good to never forget our past struggles and realities. And there’s still much work to be done,” Saltel wrote. “I’m proud of Sarah and all the people who have found the strength and courage to come forward with their truths.

“Speaking out against injustices and inequality is not an easy thing to do (trust me, I know) but making the world a safer place for future generations and especially for our daughters, is well worth it.”

After the Struthers allegations became public, then-NDP leader Kinew appointed a women-led commission to investigate harassment within the party.

The commissioners heard the workplace atmosphere had been, at times, overly sexualized, sexist and misogynistic. Women faced a choice of speaking out and facing reprisals or being silent and “constantly uncomfortable with the egregious behaviour,” the commission’s report said.

Recommendations included the creation of formal human resources policies and expanded training within the party.

The Liberals have a no-tolerance policy for any form of harassment or violence and a “robust” process for investigations and board review procedures, said interim leader Cindy Lamoureux, the party’s lone MLA.

In its latest annual report, the Public Service Commission said 10 allegations of sexual harassment were reported within the civil service in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Five allegations were substantiated, resulting in disciplinary action.

— With files from Carol Sanders.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca