The leader of the Green Party of Ontario says PC leader Patrick Brown did the right thing by stepping down in the face of allegations of sexual misconduct.
Reached by telephone Thursday morning, Mike Schriener, Green Party leader and candidate for Guelph, said he admires the courage of women coming forward with stories of men in power behaving inappropriately.
“Sexual misconduct has no place in politics and it has no place in our society — period,” said Schreiner.
On Wednesday evening, Patrick Brown held a press conference in response to what he called ‘troubling allegations’ made against him.
Three members of Brown’s inner circle issued a press release earlier in the evening stating that Brown had refused to step down in the face of these allegations.
"Earlier today, all three of us became aware of allegations about Patrick Brown. After speaking with him, our advice was that he should resign as PC Party leader. He did not accept that advice," his chief of staff, deputy campaign manager and campaign manager said in a joint statement.
The party's press secretary also announced he was resigning his post.
CTV News reported two women have come forward with graphic sexual misconduct allegations against Brown dating back to when the Opposition leader was a federal MP. The broadcaster did not name the women, who alleged the incidents happened at Brown's home in Barrie, Ont., after they had been drinking in his presence. Brown was not drinking at the time, the women told CTV News.
During the Wednesday evening press conference, Brown said the allegations were untrue and said he was not stepping down as the Ontario PC leader.
By early Thursday morning, Brown issued a statement which said he was stepping down as leader.
“I think Patrick Brown has done the right thing by stepping down and I think the PC party has done the right thing by asking him to step down while he responds to these allegations,” said Schriener.
Guelph does not currently have a local candidate standing for the Ontario PC party.
Liz Sandals, Liberal MPP for Guelph, was travelling and unavailable to comment for this article.
The Green Party stands behind the accusers, said Schreiner, but he notes it is not the Green party’s intention to use this situation for political purposes.
“We need to make sure we are creating safe spaces in our province for these conversations to happen and we need to be talking about ways in which we can implement the policies and the cultural changes that need to happen so that everyone in our province is safe,” said Schreiner.
“I don’t think this is the moment for politics. This is a moment for action and a moment for healing,” said Schreiner.
With files by Sue Sgambati
