Canada: Liberal MP denies allegations of sexual harassment | World news

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Sitting Indo-Canadian MP, member of Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau’s caucus, faces accusations of inappropriate behavior towards female staff members over the past six years, but remains a candidate ahead of federal elections September 20.

Raj Saini, who has roots in Himachal Pradesh, has been the Member of Parliament for the constituency (as constituencies are known in Canada) of Kitchener Center in the province of Ontario since 2015.

According to a CBC News report, several sources described four different cases where Saini allegedly made unwanted sexual advances or inappropriate comments.

Saini denied the charges to CBC News.

He also reported that a former staff member filed a complaint about alleged unwelcome advances and harassing behavior with the Canadian Human Rights Commission last year.

In a statement released by his office, Saini denied the allegations, saying I never acted inappropriately towards staff or voters.

Saini also said he was made aware of an allegation last year and insisted that an independent third-party review of my office take place through the House of Commons. The result of that review, which ended in June 2020, revealed that there had been nothing regarding harassment concerns in the office.

Asked about these developments while campaigning on Tuesday his party leader Trudeau defended Saini, I know Mr. Saini shared the details of all the processes that have been undertaken in his office as it is really important that we respond to all concerns and issues raised.

Trudeau has maintained that his party has a zero tolerance policy towards issues of this nature. On Tuesday, he said, continue to insist that everyone deserves a safe workplace.

CBC reported that the complaints against Saini date back to a party meeting in December 2015 at a convention center in downtown Ottawa. The media outlet said four female staff members then complained about inappropriate acts and also named former MP Marwan Tabbara. The latter was the subject of an internal party investigation and contested the 2019 federal election, but was removed from caucus after charges in another case in 2020.

Saini, however, has denied any wrongdoing, as he put it, Protecting my staff and ensuring that they are respected is not something I take lightly.

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