The Canadian Press
Teresa Wright
OTTAWA–A Liberal member of Parliament facing what he calls an allegation following an incident in Halifax on the weekend remains a member of the government caucus.
But so far, no one is saying much about the matter.
The chief of staff to government whip Pablo Rodriguez says Francis Drouin, MP for the eastern Ontario riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, is still a Liberal MP.
“Francis Drouin is still a member of the Liberal caucus and retains all functions therein,” Charles-Eric Lepine said in an e-mail to The Canadian Press.
Several cabinet ministers declined to comment on the matter yesterday when queried on their way into the House of Commons for question period.
Drouin was not in his seat for the day’s proceedings.
Inquiries to the Prime Minister’s Office were referred to Rodriguez’s office.
Halifax police confirmed yesterday they are investigating a report that a woman had been sexually assaulted, but it was not clear whether that report was linked to the allegation referenced by Drouin.
A spokeswoman said no charges have been laid in the incident, which took place sometime after 2 a.m. on Saturday at the Halifax Alehouse pub.
Police received the report of the alleged incident that afternoon, at 3:51 p.m.
Cst. Carol McIsaac reiterated yesterday that investigators with the integrated sexual assault investigative team are asking anyone with information in relation to the alleged sexual assault to call the police.
The alleged incident took place about 12 hours before the party held an hour-long seminar for MPs and staff called “From #MeToo to Never Again: Creating Safe Work Environments.”
