NDP MLA Mohinder Saran was subject of another sexual harassment complaint: sources

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This article was published 16/12/2016 (3500 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sexual harassment concerns surrounding MLA Mohinder Saran have existed for more than a year and a complainant was moved into Greg Selinger’s office when he was premier, the Free Press has learned.

Two independent sources confirmed former NDP cabinet minister Saran was the subject of a previous sexual harassment complaint while the party was still in power.

The sources said a female staff member complained Saran had engaged in inappropriate language and behaviour. Staff re-assigned the woman to the office of then-premier Greg Selinger without formal punishment for Saran.

“Selinger was unaware of the allegations when that complainant was moved into his office and was unaware of them while she was there,” said NDP press secretary Rachel Morgan.

Selinger did not respond Friday to emailed interview requests or a message left with a staffer at his St. Boniface constituency office.

Interim NDP leader Flor Marcelino said in an interview Friday afternoon that she is unaware of the previous allegation, and will not look into it unless someone files a formal complaint.

Saran is now suspended from attending caucus meetings after an unidentified staff member laid a formal complaint of sexual harassment this fall against Saran.

Christopher Adams, a political scientist based at St. Paul’s College at the University of Manitoba, said the latest scandal is part of an “ongoing calamity” of the NDP caucus that started two years ago with the internal rebellion against Selinger, the election defeat, and ongoing problems since.

“The issue of sexism or sexual harassment is an issue the NDP is particularly careful about,” Adams said. “That makes it a little more embarrassing for the NDP, because it is a party that takes great pride in standing up on issues of sexual harassment.”

Marcelino said she first learned of the latest allegation against The Maples MLA in October, and took it to caucus about a week later after an unidentified staff member filed a formal complaint.

Marcelino was uncertain Friday about specific dates and the sequence of events, which staff later clarified after checking her email records and calendar.

“I came to know of a complaint against Mohinder in October. The minute I heard, it disturbed me,” said Marcelino. “Not a minute was wasted. I looked for a manual that says if there is sexual harassment, what should be done. I could see it was very serious.”

She said a third party — not an MLA — brought the situation to her, and provided the name of the alleged victim. That was Oct. 27.

Marcelino emailed the staff worker the next day and laid out her options: mediation, seeking legal advice, laying a formal complaint. Marcelino spoke to the woman once, prior to her filing a formal complaint, and she also spoke to Saran, though not immediately.

Marcelino would not divulge what Saran told her, though Marcelino said Friday she initially thought mediation was possible. “Whatever he tells me is immaterial, because it’s being investigated,” she said.

The staffer was moved to a different office on Oct. 31, and Marcelino said she continues to be paid full wages and benefits.

Marcelino has not spoken to the complainant since that first conversation: “I don’t want to be seen as influencing,” she explained. “That process has to be respected.”

Marcelino said that as soon as the staffer filed a former complaint Nov. 7, and the legislature human rights office began to investigate, she took it to caucus. That was an emergency meeting held Nov. 8.

“That was never the plan, to handle it internally,” Marcelino insisted Friday. “When a complaint was filed, I told caucus. For the duration of the investigation, he was suspended from attending caucus meetings.”

Saran could attend the house and could vote, she said. Either house leader Jim Maloway or caucus chair Rob Altemeyer phoned Saran to tell him he was suspended, said Marcelino, who has not talked to Saran since.

However, sources dispute Marcelino’s version. They said she tried to handle the latest incident internally, but caucus members demanded action, which led to Saran’s suspension.

Rachel Morgan, the NDP press secretary, was uncertain if the complainant is currently in another workplace, working from home, or not currently performing work.

“We are trying to honour the confidentiality of the complainant,” Morgan said.

The investigation is over, and now human resources is putting in place a process for Saran to follow, said Morgan. When that process is complete, caucus will reassess the status of Saran, she said.

Free Press reporters went to Saran’s home both Thursday and Friday, but Saran has not been home. A woman who answered the door Friday said she would pass on a message.

Saran has not responded to interview requests. A man who answered the phone at Saran’s Mandalay Drive constituency office Friday said the MLA was not in, but took a message.

At a political event Friday, NDP MLAs would only indirectly address the situation. Wab Kinew said: “The complainant’s well-being is top of mind for me.” MLA Nahanni Fontaine would say only that she agrees with Kinew.

Last year, when allegations of sexual harassment were brought to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by two opposition MPs — highly empowered women with no power imbalance involved — Trudeau immediately suspended two male Liberal MPs.

Marcelino insisted Friday she acted as decisively as Trudeau. Once the formal complaint was filed, “I think that is exactly what we did… I thought I did what was needed to be done.”

Paul Therrien, a labour lawyer with the Legacy Bowes Group human resources firm, said solutions for addressing a power imbalance varies and depends on the seriousness of the allegation.

“It can range from mediation and counselling, to moving the individual, unfortunately in this case the complainant, to a different location.

“Maybe the individual (complainant) will take a payout — that is a solution,” said Therrien.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca