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This article was published 5/5/2018 (871 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON -- A commission examining bullying and sexual harassment within the Manitoba NDP said it heard reports of sexism, misogyny and an "overly sexualized" atmosphere at the legislature, the party’s annual general meeting heard Saturday.

Victims said they faced the choice of coming forward with their stories and face reprisals for doing so or continuing to suffer "egregious behaviour" in silence in a culture that valued "loyalty at all costs," delegates heard.

"There was ... a culture of bullying where people felt pressured and condescended to and bullied. The atmosphere was often toxic for people," said Kemlin Nembhard, one of two commissioners appointed by NDP Leader Wab Kinew earlier this year to investigate harassment within the party after several women revealed they had been sexually harassed by former cabinet minister Stan Struthers.

Bullying, workplace harassment and workplace sexual harassment are longstanding issues across the political spectrum, Nembhard told a hushed crowd of 200 at Brandon’s Keystone Centre.

"Many MLAs, political staff, party members and other stakeholders have been hurt and traumatized by these kind of inappropriate behaviours in the workplace and beyond," she said.

Nembhard and fellow commissioner Susan Delaronde spent two months conducting interviews and receiving written submissions from victims, witnesses and others. They would not reveal how many people they interviewed.

Women spoke of power imbalances within the NDP during its 17 years in government and beyond that reflected the broader #MeToo movement.

"Because we have not achieved gender justice as yet … this work is critical and important," Delaronde said of the commission's role.

While the individuals who spoke to the commission were diverse, the themes that emerged were consistent, the convention was told.

"It was generally an atmosphere of fear and loyalty," Nembhard said. Loyalty trumped feelings of being unsafe in some cases, she said.

The commissioners were told about "an old boys club" mentality linked to certain cabinet ministers where decisions were made "outside of regular channels."

They found that there were no protocols in place regarding romantic relationships between MLAs and staff. Alcohol was present in the Legislative Building, and complainants spoke of feeling pressured to participate in parties. "Inappropriate sexual activities" also occurred within the building.

Delaronde said the commission learned that within the NDP certain MLAs were considered "untouchable" while others "suffered consequences for inappropriate behaviour." She did not name any names.

A number of women said the sexual harassment they faced or witnessed -- and the lack of an adequate response to it -- altered the course of their careers. Many became disillusioned with the party and have not renewed their memberships. Some who had considered running for office abandoned that goal.

The commissioners recommended creating formal human resources policies and procedures for all political staff. HR and management training should be mandatory for all MLAs, senior staff and supervisors, they said, and ongoing anti-harassment and respectful workplace training should be provided to all MLAs and staff.

Joelle Saltel-Allard, a former NDP communications staffer who went public with her accusations against Struthers, expressed satisfaction with the commission's work.

"My expectations were to be heard, and I felt like I was heard," she said in an interview.

In a Facebook post, Saltel-Allard thanked the Manitoba NDP for "finally" listening to her story. "I can attest that the report findings are accurate. I hope there will be some good that will come of this for everyone," she wrote.

Kinew said the commissioners have cast "an unflinching gaze, and yet a caring gaze" on the party.

"I want to say directly to those who endured harm that I am very sorry for what you experienced," he said while pledging that women will continue to lead the discussion within the party.

He moved a motion, adopted by the meeting, that all the report’s recommendations be implemented.

"No longer can politics be a game that is played at all costs. Doing the right thing must come before political considerations. That will take courage on all of our parts," Kinew said.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca