By Canadian Press

Manitoba NDP says women will lead commission to develop safe workplace plan

Feb 15, 2018 | 5:15 PM

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba NDP says it will appoint two women to lead a commission that will help develop a safe workplace policy for the party.

The move comes a few days after NDP Leader Wab Kinew asked former premier Greg Selinger to resign his legislature seat over allegations that a former cabinet minister tickled and groped female staffers.

A message on the NDP website Thursday says the party needs to do much more to ensure the safety and respect of employees.  

It says the Commission to Establish a Safe and Respectful Political Environment will aim to identify systemic failures of the work environment that allowed harassment and misconduct to happen.

The commission is also to help the party develop protocols to create a harassment-free environment.

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The NDP says more details will be released in the coming days.

“This past week was difficult, and very triggering for many people, and we acknowledge the courage of the women who have come forward and shared their experiences about sexual harassment at work,” reads the message.

“We need to do much more to ensure safety and respect for all employees, MLAs, members and others.”

Selinger apologized Tuesday following harassment allegations by numerous women against Stan Struthers, an NDP cabinet minister from 2003 to 2014.

The women said Struthers touched them in front of others, but Selinger said he never witnessed any inappropriate behaviour.

Selinger has said he’s open to what he called an “exit strategy,” but will decide his political future in consultation with his constituents.

The Canadian Press