Yarmouth MLA Allegations - Question Period

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. When asked about recent allegations made against the member for Yarmouth, the Premier said that at no time had anyone raised with him the issue of a member of his caucus physically touching any member of the Opposition, and we heard him say it again just now. There are conflicting accounts on that point.

The Nova Scotia House of Assembly Policy on the Prevention and Resolution of Harassment in the Workplace definition of harassment includes any behaviour, act, conduct, or comment directed at and offensive to another person. Will the Premier acknowledge that the allegations made against the member for Yarmouth describe instances of harassment, as described by that policy?

THE PREMIER « » : I want to thank the honourable member for the question. As I said, the allegations that were brought to me on Monday, I responded to those.

I encourage all members of this House and any workplace, if they are feeling harassed in their workplace, they should go directly to the people that they are supervising - and in this House, Mr. Speaker, that would be you.

CLAUDA CHENDER: Mr. Speaker, it is the Premier who sets the tone for the government, and on behalf of our caucus I want to express concern for the tone the Premier is setting.

It is unacceptable that the Premier has categorized allegations of a cabinet minister being berated and pushed as enthusiasm. It is irresponsible to have excused this as the behaviour of young guys. We have a responsibility to use our positions of power to set a much higher standard.

My question for the Premier is: Will the Premier apologize for his dismissive comments and failure to take appropriate action in response to the serious allegations made against the member for Yarmouth?

THE PREMIER « » : I completely disagree with the premise of her question. For those who were associated with the words that I said yesterday, at no time did anyone agree, or did I say at any point, that a member of my caucus pushed or touched anyone. I said very to the contrary that they did not.

I've sat on this side and that side. I've had members of the Opposition of both parties yelling in this Chamber. What I've said on this thing, the actions that happened inside of this Chamber, and I said to the member from Yarmouth, oftentimes, reminding him that what happens on the floor of this Legislature needs to remain on the floor of this Legislature. The tone matters.

I continue to talk about tone, not only my own, but all the members of this House and I encourage all members to reflect on their own tone inside of this Chamber and outside.