MLA becomes an Independent in a show of strength from the premier
Premier David Eby’s decision to eject an MLA from his caucus over a staff complaint has drawn a new line in the sand for what’s considered acceptable behaviour by elected officials — and it’s a big change from what’s been allowed in the past.
Instead, the Walker case appears to centre on an employee-employer dispute involving unspecified employee complaints, multiple discipline and grievance processes, medical leave and emerging workplace policies, according to legal receipts. That sort of quiet sweeping of an issue under the rug is exactly how staff allegations have been handled before by political parties.
There was often little recourse, because the old school atmosphere of B.C. politics attributed weakness to people who complained. Perhaps you aren’t cut out for politics, they’d be told, or your skin isn’t thick enough to hack it, or you aren’t loyal enough to the party to understand what it takes to win. Push your complaints too far, and your career vanishes.
Not all MLAs mistreat their staff. Most, in fact, do not. Many forge lifelong bonds with the people who work for them, and help mentor them upwards into the civil service and to run for public office one day. One previous BC Liberal cabinet minister so badly mistreated their ministerial staff that the then Opposition NDP blanketed the ministry with freedom of information requests to try and catch the person in action. The records were always carefully redacted.Eby has heard the same stories, and witnessed the same behaviour from colleagues, during his 10 years in politics. He appears to want to put his foot down as premier.
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