THUNDER BAY – The Progressive Conservative candidate in Thunder Bay-Superior North had few answers in the wake of former party leader Patrick Brown resigning overnight in the wake of serious sexual misconduct allegations.
Derek Parks issued a brief statement on Thursday morning, adding he’s also looking for answers as the party scrambles to find a new leader to guide them into the June 7 provincial election.
“I am shocked by what has transpired and in the interest of all parties, I absolutely agree with the decision for Patrick to step down,” said Parks, who backed Brown’s leadership bid, as he left Thunder Bay for Toronto , where caucus will meet on Friday to decide its next steps.
“I unequivocally uphold the principle that a safe and respectful society is what we expect and deserve and we need to move forward to eradicate sexual violence and harassment period,” Parks added in his statement.
CTV News dropped the bombshell in a report that aired on Wednesday night, presenting two women who claimed Brown made inappropriate sexual advances while the women were still teenagers and Brown was a Member of Parliament.
No criminal charges have been laid in the case.
Brown hastily summoned news media to Queen’s Park on Wednesday night, where he categorically denied the accusations. However, hours later, after his several staff and campaign members resigned when Brown refused to step down and leader, he tendered his resignation to party officials. He will retain his seat in the legislature, representing Barrie.
Former MP and federal cabinet minister Greg Rickford, a star candidate recruited by Brown in Kenora, also agreed with Brown's ultimate decision.
"The allegations against Patrick Brown are serious, and while due process is warranted, he did the right thing by stepping down as leader. I along with our entire PC Ontario Party condemn sexual harassment in the strongest of terms As a father of two young girls we must strive to create a safe and open environment for women and girls to come forward and be supported if, heaven forbid, they were a victim of sexual harassment," Rickford said in a statement released on Twitter.
Laure Paquette, an associate professor of political science at Lakehead University, not surprisingly said the provincial Conservatives are in disarray and facing the battle of their political lives.
But can the party recover from the shocking allegations against its former leader?
Paquette is doubtful.
“They’re going to have a completely different campaign and a different approach. There are opportunities, but it’s going to be uphill,” Paquette said.
While both the Liberals and NDP are both looking to swoop in and sweep up support that might have gone to the Conservatives in June. Three recent polls had the Conservatives leading the race, with anywhere from a lead of three percentage points to 10.
Paquette said the rulebook has been thrown out and the Conservatives will be forced to spend money on a new campaign, not to mention a possible leadership convention.
The allegations will continue to hound the party and there’s the possibility other skeletons begin to emerge from the closet of other candidates – although that could just as easily affect any and all candidates, regardless of party affiliation.
“The Liberals,” Paquette said, asked who benefits. “I don’t think the NDP benefits, because the undecided voters who might have gone to the Tories were not going to go for (Leader) Andrea Horwath. The Liberals are the biggest winners. In fact, my first thought was I could hear the champagne corks popping.”
