Moe sticking to the script on potential harassment investigation

To every question asked on the possibility of an investigation into the allegations made last month by Speaker Randy Weekes, Premier Scott Moe pointed on Tuesday to the legislature’s anti-harassment policy.

“The process is in place to protect members. That’s why it’s there, that’s why we voted on it. If there is a feeling that it should be initiated by the individual involved, it should be initiated,” said Moe.

That anti-harassment policy has some requirements like confidentiality and the reporting of an incident to be done within 90 days except for extenuating circumstances. Once Weekes is no longer an MLA after the expected fall election the policy will no longer be applicable and any investigation in progress would be put aside.

Moe said his government is not trying to push the matter toward a narrower route with a policy having those requirements.

“Why would we not avail ourselves to that process (the anti-harassment policy) if that’s what we agreed on putting in place. I am a little bit perplexed as to why the question isn’t just that, why are we not following the processes that were put in place,” said Moe.

On Monday, government MLAs on the House Services Committee voted down motions to start an independent investigation into the allegations. Moe said Tuesday those motions were outside the anti-harassment process.

The Government members echoed Moe’s sentiments, saying the anti-harassment policy is the correct process. The NDP said the policy wouldn’t be able to investigate all the harassment allegations made by Weekes, and wouldn’t be able to investigate the allegations around guns in the legislative building.