No sign of punishment from Kenney on Nixon firing a woman who reported sex harassment

Despite strong words from the premier, it doesn’t appear UCP Leader Jason Kenney will punish his party’s house leader, now that a story of him firing a woman in 2005 for reporting sexual harassment has resurfaced.

Back in late 2008, the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal awarded a woman named Kori Harrison, a former worker of Nixon’s, $32,000 after filing a complaint in 2006.

The tribunal heard how Harrison was slapped on her backside, offered marijuana, lingerie and truck tires in return for sex by a worksite supervisor.

At the time, Harrison was working for Nixon Safety Consulting, where Nixon served as president and was harassed by Navigator contractor Greg Ford (NSC was providing services with Navigator at the time.)

In a statement, Kenney said it wasn’t Nixon who was ever personally accused of harassment.

“As a 25-year-old small business owner, he became aware that an employee of his was subject to harassment on a worksite that Mr. Nixon did not control,” Kenney said. “The record clearly shows that Mr. Nixon was remorseful about the situation, and tried to find the employee a new project to work on.

“Mr. Nixon has told me that in hindsight, he wishes he had pushed back harder against the client, including seeking legal representation for his employee.”

Kenney makes no comment about any potential punishment for Nixon, which is in contrast to what Premier Rachel Notley said she would do in the same situation.

“He’d be out,” Notley said if Nixon if he were in her party. “He would not be allowed to stay on as house leader, absolutely not.”

According to the tribunal’s decision, Nixon tried to find some remedies, but ultimately fired Harrison after she complained at Navigator’s request.

“All the respondents, including NSC, therefore discriminated against Ms. Harrison, contrary to s. 13 of the Code, and share joint and severable liability for that discrimination,” the tribunal’s decision said.

The story has resurfaced since Nixon has been arguing against Bill 30, which would mandate harassment and bullying policies at Alberta work sites.

In an interview with the Edmonton Journal, Nixon said he would do things differently now if the Harrison situation came up again, repeating the statement in Question Period later on Tuesday.

The UCP argues Bill 30 is too big and the harassment policies should be separated, with industry figuring out its own policies.

“Bill 30 is a comprehensive piece of legislation touching on many areas, not strictly limited to harassment,” Kenney said. “We have repeatedly requested that the Government split the bill into smaller pieces of legislation, so that MLAs can vote on individual elements.

But Notley said that argument is disingenuous.

“For him to then come into this house and say through his role in the house, to the people of Alberta, that he believes the industry is always going to do the right thing is incredibly dishonest,” she said. “He knows of one particular case where in his case, it didn’t do the right thing, it did the wrong thing.”

Below is Kenney’s full statement:

I have spoken to Mr. Nixon about the case in question.

I think it’s important to make clear that Mr. Nixon has never personally been accused of harassment, and did not know the individual in question.

As a 25-year old small business owner, he became aware that an employee of his was subject to harassment on a worksite that Mr. Nixon did not control.

Eventually, the client made it clear that Mr. Nixon’s employee was no longer permitted to work on the project in question.

The record clearly shows that Mr. Nixon was remorseful about the situation, and tried to find the employee a new project to work on. When the employee declined that offer, Mr. Nixon complied with the legal advice that he received to offer the employee a severance package.

Mr. Nixon has told me that in hindsight, he wishes he had pushed back harder against the client, including seeking legal representation for his employee.

I must also make clear that the UCP does not oppose legislated harassment provisions in Bill 30, and to suggest otherwise is false. Mr. Nixon has personally stated that he supports legislation that covers various types of harassment in the workplace, and that education of employers is also necessary.

Bill 30 is a comprehensive piece of legislation touching on many areas, not strictly limited to harassment. Based on input from stakeholders, we have voiced concerns with other parts of the bill which we believe could result in job losses.

We have repeatedly requested that the Government split the bill into smaller pieces of legislation, so that MLAs can vote on individual elements.

Jason Nixon is a man who is highly admired by those that know him. He has devoted much of his life to helping troubled youth, including many who were victims of abuse and harassment. It’s unfortunate to see attacks of this nature against his personal integrity.

Lastly, I want to make it clear that I and our Party stands against harassment.

 

 

 

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