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Investigation into bullying allegations against Elizabeth May still weeks away

Federal Green Party Leader asked for third-party investigation back in January
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Federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth May at the Victoria International Airport in a Black Press file photo. Former employees have alleged mistreatment by May and now a third party is investigating. (File)

Estimates of two to four weeks to complete a third party investigation into bulling allegations levelled against federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, may have been optimistic.

The Party and the person in charge of the investigation confirmed today that the work is ongoing and could take a few more weks to finish.

Back on January 29, the Party stated it was initiating the investigation at the request of May herself. She is also the Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf islands. It came in the wake of allegations by former Party employees, claiming they were on the receiving end of bullying behaviour by May. Those allegations first came to light in reports by the Toronto Star and the Hill Times in late January.

RELATED: Green Party to investigate claims of bullying.

Almost six weeks after that annoncement, the third-arty investigation is not yet complete.

Shiela Block, a lawyer with Toronto firm Torys LLP who is leading the investigation, confirmed Thursday that the work is still ongoing and that she would be reporting only to the Green Party of Canada.

John Chenery, the Party’s director of communications also noted the investigation was continuing and could take a few more weeks. He reiterated the Party’s comittment to release the findings of the investigation once it’s complete.

The Party came to May’s defence on Jan. 27 after the allegations came to light in the media.

“The Green Party of Canada stands firmly behind Leader Elizabeth May,” stated a Party media release at the time. “She is admired and respected by staff, her constituents in Saanich-Gulf Islands, and by the party’s members and supporters.

“The claims of three former employees are simply the statements of disgruntled former staff and their credibility should be viewed in that context. Interactions between Ms. May and party employees are limited. Staffing is handled by the Executive Director and the Leader has no role in HR matters, other than as one of 18 members of the Federal Council.”



editor@peninsulanewsreview.com

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