Senator Larry Campbell calls harassment allegations "nothing more than a smear"
Senator Larry Campbell feels strongly about this. Very strongly.
The former Vancouver mayor and coroner says the two NDP MPs need to release their names and the specifics of the allegations they made against the two Liberal MPs they are accusing of sexual harassment. That way, both men can respond to the allegations.
"As far as I'm concerned, right now we have nothing more than a smear here," says the outspoken Senator to Carol Off in an interview.
Sen. Campbell acknowledges that there are inequalities on Parliament Hill. But, in a case where everyone is a Member of Parliament, he says this is different. "People think that there is a power relationship involved in this situation, and there is no power relationship. This is between two equals."
Liberal leader Justin Trudeau shocked Ottawa earlier this month when he announced that he was suspending Pacetti and Andrews from the Liberal caucus over allegations of "serious personal misconduct." Both MPs' nominations have also been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation.
The nature of that investigation remains unclear. The NDP MPs have so far refused to lodge a formal complaint or take part in an independent investigation, which has left Pacetti and Andrews in limbo. The women say they never wanted the issue dealt with publicly, and feel "re-victimized" by the uproar over their complaints.
While neither women, nor Mr. Trudeau, have addressed the nature of the complaints, the Canadian Press is reporting that NDP MP Craig Scott, a former law professor, told the Liberals that one of the misconduct incidents - as it was described to him - amounted to an allegation of sexual assault.
Multiple sources told CP that Scott issued the assessment during a behind-the-scenes meeting on Oct. 30 with the Liberal and NDP whips, to which he had accompanied one of the alleged victims.
When asked about the women's discomfort with speaking publicly about the incidents because of a fear of repercussions, Sen. Campbell said he didn't think there would be any negative consequences for the women.
"I don't understand that. They're alleging somebody did something gravely wrong....It could range from bad jokes up to actual touching. We have no idea!"
He says if the women don't come forward, "This opens the whole system up to ... whatever."
Later in the interview, Carol asks the Senator if his views are shaped by the fact that he is a man.
Sen. Campbell answers, "That's entirely possible."