Canada PM Trudeau defends Hehr's continuation as Liberal Caucas member
Ottawa, Jan 31 (IBNS): Despite allegations of sexual misconduct, Kent Hehr continues to be the member of Liberal Caucas while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended the accused saying he doesn't have a rule book.
Interacting with media, Trudeau said: "We all are figuring it out the transformations we need to make in our workplaces, communities, in the environment surround us to go to a place of more respect, support, belief, that are respectful and appropriate for everyone ."
"We are moving to do like other organisations are doing to establish processes, support systems where they were not present. We are doing it in a way that is responsible, reflecting on the particularities of every case is being different but at the same time reflecting that I don't have a rule book that has been handed down to me from Wilfrid Laurier as leader of the Liberal party on how to handle these situations."
"This is new for organisations who will have to deal with it in this way and we are doing the best we can on a case by case basis starting from a place of respect, support, belief and understanding that we do have to have a fair process as we move forward," he added.
However Hehr has resigned from the cabinet after several tweets accused him of passing sexual remarks on women including a comment like "you're yummy".
The tweets said women felt unsafe when Hehr was a member of Alberta Legislature between 2008 and 2015.
Issuing a statement, accused Hehr said, "I have been informed that an investigation into these allegations has begun and I welcome and respect this process. While this is ongoing, I have resigned from cabinet pending the outcome of the investigation. I do not want to be a distraction to all the good work being done by our government", CBC News reported.
The investigation against Hehr will be conducted by Toronto-based firm Rubin Thomlinson.
In Hehr's absence, Kirsty Duncan, the present Ministry of Science, is serving as the Ministry of Sports and Disabilities.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
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