The NDP of P.E.I. has adopted a sexual harassment and bullying policy that it believes will offer a fair hearing for both accusers and accused.
Party president Leah-Jane Hayward said the party began developing a set of guidelines related to sexual harassment in response to the #MeToo movement. The policy sets out a complaints and independent investigation process for party members, staff and candidates who feel they may have faced bullying or sexual harassment. Those who are found to be responsible for harassment or violence can face disciplinary action up to and including suspension from the party or even a referral to police or legal authorities.
"We've had a harassment policy with the NDP, we've had that for quite a long time. We felt we needed to bolster it with a sexual harassment policy," Hayward said.
The policy is modeled on a policy adopted by the Federal NDP. Earlier this year, the party adopted the policy after two MP’s, Peter Stoffer and Erin Weir, faced accusations of sexual harassment.
According to a statement issued by the NDP of P.E.I., more than two months of research went into the development of the policy.
Party leader Joe Byrne was unaware of any instances of accusations of sexual harassment involving local party candidates or members.
"We were able to put together a policy that I feel is extensive in the respect for the person who is making the accusation but also respectful of the person who is the accused,” said Margaret Andrade who lead the effort to develop the policy.
Byrne said he did not know if other P.E.I. political parties had similar policies in place but hoped that they will adopt similar processes.
"I would like to see every political party have a process that they're comfortable with, that is clear to the public, to say this is how we're going to deal with allegations or complaints," Byrne said.
“There has to be a clear, unequivocal message that those kinds of behaviours are just not accepted."
Neither the Liberal Party of P.E.I. nor the Green Party currently have a specific sexual harassment policy, but party officials said party committees are currently looking into adopting similar policies. At press time, the Guardian had not heard back from the PC Party of P.E.I.
