Tory MLA under fire for alleged inappropriate comments made in front of female staffers

ATory backbencher wasabsent from the Manitoba Legislature on Wednesdayon the heels of allegations he made inappropriate comments in front of female staffers.

Kildonan MLA Nic Curry is facing two separate accusations that he made sexually suggestive comments, the Winnipeg Free Press reportedlate Tuesday.

A complaint about a sexualremark the rookie MLAmade in early 2018was investigated to the complainant's satisfaction, while a second allegation from a different staff member that Curry repeatedly discussed sexual matters is being investigated, the newspaper said.

Bound to confidentiality

The government was tight-lipped Wednesday regardingthe nature of the allegations.

Premier Brian Pallister said workplacesafety and health regulationsbound him to confidentiality, except when the name of thecomplainant oralleged harasser must be disclosed for investigation purposes, to take action or is required by law.

"I can't speak to or imply any specific case at this point," Pallister told reporters Wednesday.

"I can only say this: our government, under my premiership, has been very, very diligent in trying to change the culture here and throughout government around reporting harassment."

The Tories instituted a "no wrong door" approach in early 2018 to give employees more options to report complaints of sexual harassment, in direct response to allegationsa former NDP cabinet minister tickled and groped female staffers.

Pallistersaid he became aware of the recent allegation"some time ago."

Curry, who announced last week he would not run for re-election, did not return arequestfor comment. Nobody answered the door of his Kildonanconstituencyoffice when CBC News arrived Wednesday afternoon.

Prior to entering politics, Curry, in his 30s, worked for Curry Industries, a family-owned small business. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces more than a decade ago as a reservist.

Pallister said he doesn't think it's appropriate to identifypeople who are accused becauseelected and non-elected officials should not be treated differently.

He said it isn't fair thatsomebody accused of wrongdoing would have their name made public without due process.

These allegations are the second time an MLA with the Progressive Conservatives have facedconcerns over sexual harassment. Emerson MLA Cliff Graydonwas ousted from caucus last fall for a "pattern of inappropriate behaviour," including allegations he asked a female staffer to sit on his lap and another woman to lick food off his face.

Pallister wouldn't say how many of hisMLAshave faced discipline for sexual harassment.

"Our caucus has been told by me, on more than oneoccasion, that there will be no double standards within our caucus," Pallister said.

'There may be more:' Pallister

"Ican only say that I'mdisappointed whenever Ihear reports of harassment. I've heard fartoo many of them, and Ican tell you we've instituted systems where we're expecting that there may be more and that's good, because peopleshould not be afraid when they are harassed in the workplace to bring that concern forward."

He rejected the linethat his government is being secretive by withholding the name of alleged harassers.

"We are dealing with every issue that's brought to our attention expeditiously and professionally," he told reporters.

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamontargued the government needs an independent bodyto remove or punishelected officials whose conduct is out of line.

"The only way any of these things actually seem to get dealt with publicly or seriously with real repercussions is when people go to the media," he said.

Graydon and former NDP MLA Mohinder Saran were only expelled from their respective caucus after stories about their transgressions became public.

Lamont has suggestedthe conflict of interest commissioner should have the authority to investigate ethical matters and temporarily suspend the rights of members.

Without this responsibility, the government is left to police itself. That's not good enough, Lamontsaid.

"Itneeds to be somebody other than the people who have a vested interest in covering things up."

Lamont added that Pallister's argument he cannot reference the allegation because of the workplace safety and health regulations does not hold weight since MLAs are not employees.