Report by former speaker of B.C. legislature claims ‘MeToo’ allegations not investigated

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) –The man who until recently was in charge of maintaining order during question period in Victoria, has left behind a report recommending further investigation of sexual misconduct complaints shared with him almost two years ago.

Former speaker of the B.C. legislature Darryl Plecas’ report “Unfinished Business” includes allegations of inappropriate behaviour involving a former employee and a woman who no longer works for the government.

“On February 4, 2019, I delivered a short confidential memorandum to the Legislative Assembly Management Committee (“LAMC”), making its members aware of a new allegation I had received from a witness which raised “#MeToo” types of concerns,” the report reads.

“Given the highly sensitive nature of the allegations, and the charged atmosphere in the aftermath of my first Report, I felt that LAMC was best placed to consider this information, and act on it; and that a #MeToo-style allegation involving the Legislative Assembly deserved a cross-party response. As far as I am aware, neither the allegations, nor my memorandum, have been investigated or acted upon to date.”

Serious #MeToo allegations of inappropriate behaviour by a former employee at @BCLegislature have yet to be addressed.

That’s part of a nearly-50-page report left behind by the last speaker of the House Darryl Plecas. #bcpoli @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) December 11, 2020

The document titled details numerous concerns raised by Plecas since January of 2019. Nowhere in the nearly 50-page report does Plecas explain what allegedly happened or who’s accused of wrongdoing, but he makes a number of recommendations seeking “cultural change.”

He wants an overall workplace review with stronger protections for whistleblowers and a full-time director of security to be hired, along with limiting the roles of the Legislature’s Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms.

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Plecas is also suggesting his successor, NDP MLA Raj Chouhan, sit as an independent and limits his term to four years.

“Like any great challenge and opportunity – and I suggest there can be none greater in a democratic society than the chance to contribute to building a better kind of system of government – this is a race that never ends. My leg of the race will soon be run. I am handing over the baton, and I look forward with optimism to seeing how my successors in office, and all British Columbians, move forward.”

Government House Leader Mike Farnworth, who sits on the Legislative Assembly Management Committee (LAMC) is currently reviewing this last report from Plecas.

He tells NEWS 1130 LAMC and all Members of the Legislative Assembly “take very seriously any allegation of employee misconduct, including sexual harassment. Any personal matter such as an allegation of sexual harassment would be highly confidential, and we would not be able to comment. Any allegation would be taken very seriously and would be appropriately addressed.”

Plecas caused a stir in 2017 when the former MLA for Abbotsford-South left the BC Liberal caucus to sit as an independent and take on the role of Speaker under a coalition government headed by Premier John Horgan with support from the BC Green Party.

Final - New Plecas Report