Local MPP Randy Pettapiece said former Ontario PC leader Patrick Brown’s resignation was inevitable in light of allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced last week.
Two women have accused Brown of sexual improprieties, as reported on Jan. 24 by CTV News.
The women, not identified by CTV, allege that Brown, when he was a Conservative MP, made unwanted sexual advances during parties. Both woman said they had been drinking, while Brown was sober.
The alleged incidents occurred in 2012 and earlier, when the women were teenagers – and one was under the legal drinking age.
The allegations, which Brown has denied, have not been proven in court and police officials in Barrie, where the alleged incidents occurred, confirmed they have not received any official complaints against Brown.
Pettapiece released a statement on Thursday that said, “There can be no room for harassment of any kind. Sexual violence and harassment cannot be tolerated.”
Pettapiece supported a statement issued shortly after the leader’s resignation by PC deputy leaders Sylvia Jones and Steve Clark.
“Mr. Brown is entitled to a legal defense and due process, but he cannot lead us into an election as a result of these allegations,” the statement reads.
Jones and Clark stressed the need “to eradicate sexual violence and harassment across the province,” and concluded the PC Party “will not be diverted from our mission to ensure our strong team can share our message of change.”
Pettapiece echoed that sentiment, stating, “As MPP, my top priority will continue to be the people I am privileged to represent.”
In a Jan. 26 statement, Pettapiece congratulated Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli on his selection as interim leader of the Official Opposition and Ontario PC party earlier that day.
“Vic is a friend and a colleague,” Pettapiece said. “He will be a very effective leader and spokesperson for our party.
“Our caucus is united in standing behind him,” he added.
Pettapiece noted that as Mayor of North Bay Fedeli worked for free, donating his salary to a different charity each year.
Though many in the PC caucus, which selected Fedeli, would have preferred to see him lead the party into the June 7 provincial election, the party executive announced a leadership race will be held with a target of selecting a permanent leader on March 24.
The only announced candidate for the position as of the Community News deadline was former Toronto city councillor Doug Ford.
One of Fedeli’s first official acts was to issue a statement on Jan. 29 commenting on the resignation of PC party president Rick Dykstra, who stepped down on Jan. 28.
Dykstra’s announcement on Twitter made no mention of a Maclean’s magazine story published online after his resignation. The story detailed allegations Dykstra sexually assaulted a young female staffer in 2014.
Dykstra later denied the accusations, which have not been proven in court.
“We take allegations of sexual assault very seriously, and I was shocked and disgusted to learn about these allegations in Maclean’s late last night,” said Fedeli in a statement that did not mention Dykstra by name.
“There is no place for this type of alleged behaviour in our party, in politics, or in society as a whole.”
Fedeli continued, “We must ensure our workplaces are safe and that everyone feels comfortable coming forward to share their stories, and I will soon take further steps as I outlined on Friday to ensure this is the case in our workplace.
“The Ontario PC Party will move forward with a new president.”
