Harassment of any kind unacceptable: Canada PM Trudeau on Kent Hehr's resignation
Ottawa, Jan 26 (IBNS): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said any kind of harassment is unacceptable in a statement issued on the resignation of federal Sports and Disabilities Minister Kent Hehr, after the latter was accused of passing a sexual remark as a provincial politician.
In a statement, Trudeau said: "Harassment of any kind is unacceptable and Canadians have a right to live and work in environments free from harassment. As a government we take any allegations of misconduct extremely seriously, and we believe that it is important to support women who come forward with allegations and that is exactly what our government will do."
Referring to a zero tolerance approach by his government to allegations, Trudeau said: "One of the first things we did when we formed government was to put in place rigorous processes to address allegations. This is the same approach that was taken when I became leader of the Liberal Party."
Hehr's resignation came 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, will also serve the Ministry of Sports and Disabilities.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
Image: Official Facebook page of Justin Trudeau
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