Shock, surprise in Barrie, Ont., in light of Patrick Brown’s fall from grace
BARRIE, Ont. — People in the city where Patrick Brown forged his political career reacted with a mix of surprise, public silence, or even indifference to his abrupt resignation as Ontario’s Progressive Conservative leader on Thursday in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations from two women.
At a restaurant in Barrie, Ont., that Brown was known to frequent, a steady stream of customers moved in and out. One patron, retail worker Angela Bert, said the politician was a familiar figure at community events and always seemed proud of his connection to the city.
“It was a shock to see, when I woke up this morning,” Bert said of the news that Brown had stepped down in the wee hours. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Bert, who said she’s a regular at local bars, was adamant she had never heard any rumblings of the kind of sexual misbehaviour of which Brown is accused. The allegations made to CTV News, and not verified by The Canadian Press, include Brown making advances on a young woman who worked in his constituency office.