Recently excluded from the Liberal caucus, MP Marie Montpetit argued Thursday that she had never done psychological harassment or intimidation towards the employees in her service, which motivated her former political party to point out that her behavior had already been sanctioned.
In an interview with the TVA network, broadcast on Thursday, the member for the Montreal constituency of Maurice-Richard reacted for the first time to the allegations that led Liberal leader Dominique Anglade to expel her from her caucus on the 1ster November.
“It’s zero tolerance for bullying, zero tolerance for psychological harassment,” she said. I have never bullyed, I have never done psychological harassment. “
A liberal source immediately reacted by assuring that Ms. Montpetit had been sanctioned because of her behavior, since the election of Ms. Anglade, in May 2020.
“Dominique Anglade’s chief of staff and the chief whip have met him on several occasions”, told the To have to this source who asked not to be identified.
According to the information obtained, as a sanction, Ms. Montpetit’s speaking time in the House was first cut due to complaints from staff against her. She was then sent home when the situation did not improve thereafter.
“It was people who were being yelled at, who refused to work with her,” one said.
Before Ms. Montpetit’s expulsion, several media reported allegations from employees who worked with her for the past three years, either when she was a minister or in the opposition as a member of Parliament.
The duty in particular exposed the testimonies of eight people who say to have undergone a behavior which exceeds the usual mood swings in an environment known for its pressure. These former and current employees have requested that their names not be disclosed, either out of fear of reprisal or because they are not allowed to speak.
After excluding her MP, Ms. Anglade said from the outset that her return to caucus was unlikely at this stage.
Thursday, Ms. Montpetit complained that she had not had the opportunity to defend herself. After calling for an independent investigation, the MP asks the National Assembly to shed light on this situation.
“I find myself in a situation where I have been accused, tried and sentenced in the public square without being able to be heard. She said, lamenting Ms. Anglade’s reaction.
Ms. Montpetit maintains that she is in a position to know what harassment is since she participated in the drafting of the National Assembly’s policy on this subject.
“Am I perfect?” No, she admitted. Have there already been frank discussions, conflicts, differences of opinion? We have just spent a year in a pandemic. I am the health spokesperson. It has been a difficult year. But I am a talkable person. “
The MP complained that she was the target of anonymous allegations of which she was not informed.
“I have worked with hundreds of people as a minister and as an MP,” she said. If people have been run into I have no problem in apologizing. I am an extremely talkable person. I still have to notify me. “
Ms. Montpetit said she intends to finish her term until the October 2022 election. She has not yet decided whether or not she will be a candidate again.
A few days ago, suggesting that it is very unlikely that Ms. Montpetit will return to the Liberal ranks, Ms. Anglade also expressed reservations about the possibility of her being a candidate again.
Ms. Montpetit, who says she received no formal harassment or intimidation complaint, supported Ms. Anglade during the last leadership race.
“I gave everything I could as a health spokesperson to come and support her in her role as party leader,” she said Thursday. She’s someone I had a lot of friendship for and I’m extremely disappointed with the way she handled it. “