(Quebec) François Legault on Tuesday reiterated his full confidence in his former minister, Marie-Ève Proulx, who is being hit by a new bullying complaint. At the moment, the Prime Minister is behind the version of his candidate in Côte-du-Sud, who wishes “there was no problem” with the complainant.
Posted at 12:13 p.m
Fanny Levesque The press
The Journal de Montréal revealed on Tuesday that the former regional economic development minister is responding to a new complaint of bullying over events that allegedly took place after his demotion in 2021. The applicant Laetitia Canova, a former political attaché of the MP, applied to the Administrative Labor Court (TAT). She would have been released on July 26, 2021.
According to documents obtained by Quebecor media, it would then be the date of the “last manifestation of harassment.” The complainant had also lodged a complaint in connection with her dismissal.
“First, bullying is zero tolerance. So that we understand each other. When I speak to Marie-Ève Proulx, she tells me that this person does not have the right to lodge a complaint. The file is in court, one is against the other,” defended François Legault on the sidelines of the announcement of his candidate in Laval-des-Rapides, Céline Haytayan.
“I trust Marie-Ève Proulx that there was no problem with this person. Now we are waiting for the court’s decision,” he added. Mr Legault also revealed that the complainant had also lodged a complaint with the National Assembly “and her complaint was not withheld”. “Right now, I have faith in this file, in our candidate,” he added.
This isn’t the first time the Côte-du-Sud member has been the victim of allegations of bullying. Ms Proulx resigned as Minister after meeting the Prime Minister in May 2021. Another former employee of the MPs’ constituency office had filed two complaints against Marie-Ève Proulx with the TAT for bullying and dismissal due to illness or accident. The minister did not have to appear in court: an agreement was recently reached between the parties.
In addition, at least a dozen people have resigned or been fired from his cabinet since he began his tenure.
The events reported by Le Journal de Montréal would therefore have occurred after his resignation. However, the Prime Minister had pledged in May 2021 to “closely monitor the situation”.
“Last year we received information that the working atmosphere in Ms. Proulx’s office was difficult. We got to know her, we provided her services, she was entitled to the services of a coach, among other things, and we regret to say that the situation has not improved enough. […] I have to conclude that she cannot remain Minister,” he said at the time. Marie-Ève Proulx had lost her ministry but remained a member of the faction.
According to Anglade, Marie-Ève Proulx must go
Liberal leader Dominique Anglade believes François Legault has no choice but to show the door to his candidate in Côte-du-Sud, where Marie-Ève Proulx is seeking a second term. “To me, zero tolerance is not just words. They are principles, values, actions. It’s not something that’s in the air,” she said in an interview with La Presse.
“It’s intolerable and [François Legault] should have acted sooner. It is high time for him to act,” she added, reiterating that it is a “matter of principles and values.” “It’s 2022, this kind of behavior is unacceptable,” she pounded.
Dominique Anglade showed MP Marie Montpetit the door by expelling her from the Liberal group last November after she faced allegations of psychological harassment and intimidation. La Presse revealed at the time that Ms Anglade had notably received a written complaint of bullying against Ms Montpetit, in addition to allegations of the same nature against her.