Ottawa city councillors call for Chiarelli resignation, mayor urges harassment victims to come forward

College ward City Councillor Rick Chiarelli is being asked to resign over workplace sexual harassment complaints against him.

The City of Ottawa's Intergrity Commissioner began investigating a case of sexual misconduct involving Chiarelli on September 12. Another group of alleged victims, who had either worked with or been interviewed by Chiarelli for a job in his office, detailed their stories Thursday, in a report by CBC Ottawa, in which the councillor asked them to wear revealing outfits and made inappropriate comments.

City Councillors Shawn Menard, Catherine McKenney and Jeff Leiper released a statement on Thursday afternoon, calling the accounts in the report “degrading and completely inappropriate.” They then say City Council only has the power to suspend a councillor for 90 days, but ask that Chiarelli immediately apologize and resign, “if he knows the accounts are accurate.”

Sentiments echoed by councillor Mathieu Fleury in a tweet on Thursday afternoon. 

I commend these women for coming forward. Everyone has a right to safe workplace free of harassment. Reports are currently being reviewed by Integrity Commissioner. Must ensure review is completed. At which point if reports are accurate,I would also ask for C. Chiarelli to resign pic.twitter.com/a51uJKoFq2

— Mathieu Fleury (@MathieuFleury) September 26, 2019

 

Chiarelli's lawyer has denied that any of the allegations against his client are true.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jim Watson and the city's Special Liaison on Women’s Issue and Gender Equity Theresa Kavanagh are calling on victim's of sexual harassment at City Hall to speak with the city's Integrity Commissioner.

Watson and Kavanagh released a statement of their own Thursday afternoon:

“To say that we are disturbed to hear the latest allegations regarding Councillor Chiarelli would be a gross understatement. There are really no words to describe our disappointment.

Our first thoughts are for the brave women who have come forward to share their experiences. The matter is before the City's Integrity Commissioner; however, we personally hope that these women will also share their experiences with the Integrity Commissioner, so that they can be properly and independently investigated. 

All City employees. including employees of elected officials, have the right to a workplace that is free of harassment. In order to reinforce that, we have asked the City Clerk to remind all employees of elected officials who have experienced harassment at work of the resources and supports that are available to them.

All employees should be aware of their rights and should feel comfortable and safe coming forward to Human Resources or the Integrity Commissioner with their own personal experiences, in keeping with the City's Harassment in the Workplace Policy and the Code of Conduct for Members of Council.”