I came to know of Erin Weir through his contributions to the Progressive Economics Forum. I believe he stopped posting when he was elected in 2015. I'm just hoping the NDP gets on with it. I can't even begin to imagine why an investigation of this nature would take any length of time. And the lack of transparency is distressing. The deadline for would-be complainants to come forward was February 20 - and even after that date, Weir had not been informed of any allegations.
Yup. There is a point at which one should get off the pot.
Meanwhile another Sask Party MLA has jumped that ship and gotten the nomination to try and unseat him in the next election. Leaving this issue unresolved gives them ammunition.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-lewvan-sask-party-warr...
If I was to say to someone in Nunavut or Quebec that if they resent central Canadian power they should just move I can imagine the response I would get.
Drift, but I thought "central Canada" was a term used by alienated westerners to define Ontario and Québec as a single unit, working in lockstep to dominate the federal government and overrule the west/Maritimes. Does it just mean Ontario now?
Don't say that too loud either, or we'll never hear the end of it.
but /drift
Don't say that too loud either, or we'll never hear the end of it.
but /drift
LOL! Yeah cco, let's steer clear of the regional divisions and just talk about Erin Weir for now. I like him, hope I don't end up regretting that, but most importantly, I'd like to see the New Democratic Party acting more New and Democratic and less like a Party.
I think the over/under on that should be set at 6 months. Maybe by then we'll hear the results of TVO's investigation in to the Steve Paiken / Sarah Tomson allegations as well.
Well, TVO has done its work:
TVO host Steve Paikin cleared by investigator after sexual harassment accusations
Now perhaps the NDP will tell the public - or at least, the accused - what's going on with Erin Weir?
So apparently, according to this April 25 Canadian Press story, the report on the investigation has actually now been in Jagmeet Singh's hands for almost 2 weeks - though I can't find any reference to that in the English-language media. Here's my rough translation:
The future of MP Erin Weir within the NDP still seems uncertain, even though an independent report on the harassment allegations against him has been in the hands of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh for a week now. [...]Questioned by journalists on Wednesday as to what would happen with Mr. Weir, the NDP leader would say only that he would follow "the process", without being able to explain what that process was.
An attaché of Mr. Weir wouldn't say whether the MP had been informed of the report's conclusions, which have not been made public. Jagmeet Singh did not promise to make the report public, indicating that he would follow the advice of the lawyer who wrote the report before deciding whether it was appropriate to release it.
Ha, thanks Unionist I saw the TVO thing as well, guess I would have lost my own bet there.
I also hope we get some clarity on Erin Weir, this sentence from the Canadian press story is very curious:
"An attaché of Mr. Weir wouldn't say whether the MP had been informed of the report's conclusions, which have not been made public."
I am assuming that were he exonerated, he'd be happy to share that. But who knows, and you know what they say about assumptions.
Investigation finds multiple complaints of harassment against NDP's Weir: sources
What was the harassment about? The Carbon Tax!
Weir claims "trumped-up" complaint is punishment for wandering off-script on carbon pricing
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/investigation-finds-multiple-complaints-...
Wow. What a dog's breakfast.
So are these multiple revelations likely to help or hinder his narrow hold on the seat in the next election, if he gets the nomination.
Investigation finds multiple complaints of harassment against NDP's Weir: sources
What was the harassment about? The Carbon Tax!
Weir claims "trumped-up" complaint is punishment for wandering off-script on carbon pricing
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/investigation-finds-multiple-complaints-...
Wow. I have no words. And still no public disclosure, let alone decision?
There's a video clip here from Power & Politics where Catherine Cullen discusses the results of the NDP Investigation:
Gee. call me old fashioned, but there is something to be said for political parties obsessed with the simple things in life, like money and power. Oh, and dealing with messy problems like this in the back room, if the big deal is that nobody is supposed to be able to know anything, including the leader of the party.
The conservatives just nominated a candidate for the seat. Maybe they should just hand it over now. It's not like people in this province worked hard to redraw the boundaries so the NDP actually had a chance to get seats, and if Weir is telling the truth it sounds like they don't want him around anyway.
And I am sure there are plenty in Saskatchewan who will happy to see it be a field of blue and Ralph Goodale again.
..without meaning to distract or downplay the accusations, i didn't understand why weir's position on carbon pricing would be so contentious..so i went and dug it up. now i understand why the ndp was freaking out.
quote:
A key advantage of Ottawa’s involvement is that it has jurisdiction over international trade. Unlike the provinces, the federal government could collect carbon tariffs on imports and provide export rebates. A national carbon price that also applies at the border would support domestic production to the extent that it is cleaner than imports.
Producing a ton of steel in China and shipping it here emits five times as much carbon as manufacturing it at Evraz. Therefore, the carbon tariff on Chinese steel would be five times the carbon tax on Regina steel, enabling Evraz to gain a larger share of the Canadian market.
With an export rebate, sales of steel from Evraz or of petroleum products from the Co-op Refinery to the US and other countries that do not price carbon would be unaffected.
These facilities would still have a clear incentive to cut emissions in order to reduce the carbon cost of their domestic sales. Indeed, addressing international competitiveness concerns would enable us to be more ambitious in pricing carbon and go further in reducing emissions.
Applying carbon pricing at the border is environmentally and economically desirable, but is it practical? A carbon tariff would not violate international trade agreements: it would simply extend the same pricing system to imports as to domestic production.
Yup. And Evraz also rolled out much of the steel for the Keystone pipeline, so it is an issue on that front as well.
But yes, assuming these accusations are real, the NDP seem to be handling them in the absolutely worst possible way, starting with the way in which they came to light.
Looks like it is getting to be crunch time.
NDP leader Singh huddles with caucus after MP's explosive allegations
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ndp-leader-singh-huddles-with-caucus-aft...
Looks like it is getting to be crunch time.
NDP leader Singh huddles with caucus after MP's explosive allegations
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ndp-leader-singh-huddles-with-caucus-aft...
Isn't Wednesday always caucus day?
Sources confirm that the NDP caucus was read a summary of the report on Weir's alleged actions last Wednesday. MPs were told information would soon be released publicly, pending consultations with the complainants.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/investigation-finds-multiple-complaints-...
So CBC and CTV quote passages from Erin Weir's media release. Are we allowed to see the full release? Does anyone have a link?
Epaulo: Why do you think the NDP freaked out about Weir's carbon proposal? It seems like a good idea to me, but I am not well informed on this stuff.
ETA -- apologies for thread drift, but I do think there is some relevance here as it is part of Weir's defence.
Epaulo: Why do you think the NDP freaked out about Weir's carbon proposal? It seems like a good idea to me, but I am not well informed on this stuff.
ETA -- apologies for thread drift, but I do think there is some relevance here as it is part of Weir's defence.
..i like weir's take on it carbon policy as well. at the very least i believe it deserves a serious look and/or debate. and it goes beyond anywhere the ndp leadership is willing to go. for me it crosses over the line into effectiveness. it would also rain wrath from countries and corporations that want minimal constraints..so i imagine fear as a motivator. fear also that a backlash could loose them votes.
..without meaning to distract or downplay the accusations, i didn't understand why weir's position on carbon pricing would be so contentious..so i went and dug it up. now i understand why the ndp was freaking out.
Thanks for this find, epaulo! This whole episode is starting to make some sense.
Yes, thanks. I laughed at this:
" it goes beyond anywhere the ndp leadership is willing to go. for me it crosses over the line into effectiveness."
So true it almost hurts.
Whether one agrees with his position or not, if this is true it is outrageous. And even if it is not, the way they have handled it is equally so.
Whether one agrees with his position or not, if this is true it is outrageous. And even if it is not, the way they have handled it is equally so.
making a mountain out of a molehill
So Singh has expelled Erin Weir from caucus, because he broke silence and talked to the media!
But, in a twist, Weir is not being kicked out because of the report's findings, but for speaking to the media.
Weir spoke to CBC News earlier this week following news that a third-party investigation uncovered multiple harassment complaints. One complainant told CBC News that Weir spoke to her in an angry and belligerent way and that she felt physically intimidated.
According to a statement from the Weir's office, Singh's chief of staff asked Weir to stop commenting on the story.
"When Singh's chief of staff asked Weir to stop commenting that evening, he complied. Singh then notified Weir just before midnight on May 2 that he is being expelled from caucus, not because of the report's findings but because Weir commented publicly and Singh deemed that unacceptable," reads the statement.
"Expulsion is a vastly harsher punishment than applied to many other New Democratic MPs who have, at times, commented publicly without the Leader's explicit authorization."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/erin-weir-caucus-ndp-1.4646224
So it is fine for them to make public accusations against him, but if he responds it means expulsion.
What a mess.
Former NDP MPP Paul Ferreira tweets
Utterly dismayed by my former federal party’s handling — bumbling! — of the Erin Weir situation. I’m afraid Jagmeet Singh is failing test of leadership, with likely dire consequences for party next year. How soon does “not up to job” enter picture?
From NDP Jagmeet Singh statement: “The report found that when Mr. Weir was told the advances were unwanted, he stopped.” Isn’t that what Erin Weir was supposed to do? He is being railroaded! Singh fails epically, NDP loses good MP. Sad day all around.
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8586066-singh-expels-mp-erin-weir-f...
"
Singh said in a statement today that a third-party investigation "found one claim of harassment and three claims of sexual harassment were sustained by the evidence.
"Weir failed to read non-verbal cues in social situations and his behaviour resulted in significant negative impacts on the complainants," the statement said.
"The report found that when Mr. Weir was told his advances were unwanted, he stopped."
Singh said he considered various corrective resolutions including conciliation. But "recent developments demonstrate Mr. Weir is unwilling to take responsibility for his actions and therefore any rehabilitative approach is now untenable."
Weir was originally suspended from his duties as a New Democrat MP earlier this year pending a third-party investigation, but remained in caucus.
In his own statement, Weir said the investigation's process was flawed and its findings exaggerated.
He said Singh had earlier decided to reinstate him.
"Upon reading the report, Singh decided to reinstate Weir based on his willingness to participate in conciliation with any complainants who opt to do so and complete training — an opportunity for self-improvement Weir immediately welcomed," the MP's statement about himself said."
If Weir were a Liberal you would be nailing him to the wall. I listened to Singh's statement. Weir was offered reconcilliation and training. He threw that away when he went to the press and declared himself innocent and released information that could potentially reveal one of the women that had come forward. It is that act that made reconcilliation impossible because he didn't take any responsibility for what was inappropriate behavior in the workplace. It is not up to women to educate men in high office. They should not have to say "that's inappropriate" to be treated respectfully. Seriously. Have they not paid a any attention to the news over the past 30 years. Weir is exhibiting a huge sense of entitlement. Just because he stops when asked doesn't mean he didn't do anything wrong. He shouldn't have to be told to stop in the workplace.
You mean, he tried to defend himself? And how do we know these are all women.? But after all, he "failed to read the non-verbal cues." So off with his head.
“The report found that when Mr. Weir was told his advances were unwanted, he stopped.”
In a statement released Thursday, Weir said he had no idea he had done anything unwelcome before the allegations were brought to his attention.
“When I read a summary of complaints, it became clear that I was sometimes slow to pick up on social cues,” said Weir.
“Although I still do not know who these complainants are, I apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable because I stood or sat too close or spoke with them more than they wished to talk with me.”
Sounds like something from Kafka. Or Orwell.
I don't even begin to understand this. How can the accused not be told who the complainants are? Just for starters.
Unfortunate situation all around, especially for the people who made the complaints, and it seems Jagmeet bent over backwards to accommodate Erin, but Erin blew it in the end. Too bad but Jagmeet showed good leadership here, and Jagmeet made the correct decision.
Unfortunate situation all around, especially for the people who made the complaints, and it seems Jagmeet bent over backwards to accommodate Erin, but Erin blew it in the end. Too bad but Jagmeet showed good leadership here, and Jagmeet made the correct decision.
Based on what?
Come on josh, give it a break!
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the third-party investigation found claims of harassment and sexual harassment against him were “sustained.”
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/05/03/mp-erin-weir-kicked-out-o...
come on josh, give it a break!
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the third-party investigation found claims of harassment and sexual harassment against him were “sustained.”
“The report found that when Mr. Weir was told his advances were unwanted, he stopped.”
In a statement released Thursday, Weir said he had no idea he had done anything unwelcome before the allegations were brought to his attention.
“When I read a summary of complaints, it became clear that I was sometimes slow to pick up on social cues,” said Weir.
“Although I still do not know who these complainants are,
You mean the star chamber found him guilty of what harassment exactly?
Even Al Franken knew the charges against him and who made them.
The investigation, which began in February and was conducted by University of Ottawa law professor Michelle Flaherty, concluded that one claim of harassment and three claims of sexual harassment against Weir were “sustained,” Singh said.
The party leader would not disclose the exact nature of the harassment, but said the investigator defined sexual harassment as “acts of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected to cause offence.” Singh said the investigation found Weir “did not recognize non-verbal signs” in social situations and that this behaviour led to “significant negative impacts” on the complainants. He added that when Weir was told “his advances were unwanted, he immediately stopped.”
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/05/03/mp-erin-weir-kicked-out-o...
Funny, because I see it in exactly the opposite way, especially since this is twice in a row the party has opted for the heaviest possible punishment - removal from posts, and expulsion.
The worst part of it is the contradictory mix of being supposedly open and transparent and not even knowing what happened, and dragging it out for months, and the party being able to make accusations about him, but him being turfed for responding.
If his story is true it seems pretty clear this is how it was going to end, but even before he raised the issue of political motivation it was a mess. Though it does offer a possible explanation of why they were so quick to put him on ice.
And any chance these harrassment allegations were going to be dealt with in a straightforward way is now gone. The whole thing is tainted, first by their bungling, now him, for whatever reason, offering his take on why it happened.
And while there may in fact be harrassment, the fact there is a record of punishment of dissent, and people involved declining comment does raise the question that his version of this may also be part of what is going on here.
After all, how did this come to light in the first place? When he spoke up about seeking a position.
I agree it had a "verdict first, trial later" feel to it. Except there was no trial. To not know who your accusers are is unbelievable. I assume he was told the specificity of the charges, but even that is not clear.
One of the main problems from the get-go was nobody actually came forward with a complaint. Instead they were solicited by the party
Weir said Singh’s chief of staff sent an email to 250 federal NDP staff on Feb. 6, inviting them to contact Flaherty about the investigation. Female staff in Weir’s Regina office also “received cold calls from Singh’s office soliciting complaints,” Weir said.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/05/03/mp-erin-weir-kicked-out-o...
There's obviously more to this than harassment charges. Whether it's the carbon tax or something else. The pooh bahs were set on taking him out.
@ josh
Yes, I agree about there probably being more to it. But it is also a problem that whatever foundation there may have been to the harrassment charges, that is now completely tainted. There basically is no getting at the truth now.
And that is a question of mismanagement.
Erin Weir seeks reinstatement after being booted from NDP caucus
https://ipolitics.ca/2018/05/03/erin-weir-seeks-reinstatement-after-bein...
I don't even begin to understand this. How can the accused not be told who the complainants are? Just for starters.
Because that information is available solely to the investigator to ensure confidentiality to everyone including witnesses so they don't fear coming forward. Not even Singh knows who they are.
The investigator was University of Ottawa law professor Michelle Flaherty. She teaches labour law, administrative law and human rights.
She then interviewed people who interact with Weir and reported her findings to the NDP. In response:
The NDP leader said that after reviewing the findings of the third-party investigation, he attempted to pursue a rehabilitative process with Weir that would allow him to stay in caucus if he would take responsibility and complete anti-harassment training. Weir, in a statement, claims he agreed to this.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ndp-leader-jagmeet-singh-removes-saskatc...
Weir was offered and agreed to anti-harassment training.
On May 1, Weir appeared on CTV’s Power Play to respond to a CBC report that multiple complaints of harassment surfaced during the third-party investigation process and cited the account of one anonymous woman. Weir claimed that the anonymous complainant was a former NDP staff member who "intercepted" him on his way to the microphone at the 2016 Saskatchewan NDP convention to prevent him from speaking about concerns over the regional impact of the federal government’s price on carbon.
Weir expressed concern over the "misuse of a harassment complaint to retaliate for his expression of differing views on public policy,” and called it a "trumped-up harassment complaint," citing backroom political motivations in a statement.
"Singh deemed that unacceptable," Weir said Thursday.
Weir publically gave identifying information that he suspects made one of the complaints. Then he said the harassment claims were trumped up.
Weir obviously didn't understand rehabilitation can only occur if the individual accepts that they need it.
Weir should have said that he didn't realize that some of his actions upset other people but that he was taking training to improve his social interactions and that he was happy he was still in caucus.
Then this would have all gone away. He would have been semi-vindicated. People would assume whatever he did was relatively minor.
He left Singh no choice but to expel him and he should certainly be refused the nomination for the seat in the next election.
Trudeau supports NDP’s dismissal of MP Erin Weir, won’t comment on Kent Hehr investigation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the dismissal of Saskatchewan NDP MP Erin Weir over sexual harassment accusations is a sign that government is taking similar allegations seriously, but would not provide any details on an ongoing investigation into claims made against Liberal MP Kent Hehr.
https://globalnews.ca/video/4184794/trudeau-supports-ndps-dismissal-of-m...
Weir publically gave identifying information that he suspects made one of the complaints. Then he said the harassment claims were trumped up.
Weir obviously didn't understand rehabilitation can only occur if the individual accepts that they need it.
I realize it's not a criminal case, but usually you have the right to be confronted with those making the allegations. I also realize that that may be a quaint notion now among some, but it would seem like, if nothing else, a matter of fair play. And it is quite shocking that Weir actually tried to figure out who was making the charges. How dare he. And there's no necessary inconsiatency between accepting responsibility and still believing that the charges were trumped up because of something else.
