Independent MLA accuses former PC caucus of forcing staffer to sign non-disclosure deal
CBC
Independent MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin has accused the Progressive Conservative caucus of forcing a junior staffer to sign a non-disclosure agreement when she left her job in 2018.
That's the year Jamie Baillie was forced out of his job as PC leader after what the caucus termed "inappropriate behaviour" toward a female staffer.
Speaking in the House Wednesday, on a bill aimed at outlawing political parties from using non-disclosure agreements, NDAs, in cases of sexual assault or harassment, the MLA for Cumberland North said she introduced the proposed law in honour of Kait Saxton, who worked for Smith-McCrossin until her death last June.
The 33-year-old died at the family cottage in Wentworth of a brain hemorrhage.
"This bill is personal," said Smith-McCrossin. "My employee was coerced into signing an NDA with the Progressive Conservative caucus."
She then tabled a document she said she found after Saxton's death.
"It is between Kait Saxton and the Progressive Conservative caucus," she told the House. "It says if she were to break this [non-disclosure agreement] it would be harmful to her, both personally and legally.
"Kait was not given a chance to receive the support that she deserved, as a victim, and that she needed.
"She was coerced to sign an NDA. She was not given the opportunity to have a lawyer by her side," said the former PC caucus member, who was expelled by Tim Houston in June 2021 for participating in a highway blockade.
"I think the one thing that would help them as a family to heal is if the Progressive Conservative caucus would publicly apologize to them for the way their daughter was treated."
Instead Community Services Minister Karla MacFarlane, the interim leader of the party in 2018, denied any knowledge of the document Smith-McCrossin tabled.
"I have never seen that document," she told reporters outside the legislative chamber. "Our caucus had nothing to do with a non-disclosure agreement."
Asked if, when she was interim leader, she had knowledge of any non-disclosure agreements.
"Not at all," said McFarlane. "There was no [non-] disclosure agreements at all between the caucus, between any individual. I know for certain that I did not sign anything.
