CAQ MP and candidate Marie-Ève Proulx is the subject of a new formal complaint of bullying, this time over events that allegedly occurred after her resignation as minister, our investigations office has learned.
• Also read: CAQ MP Marie-Eve Proulx still upset
According to documents filed with the Administrative Labor Court (TAT), Laetitia Canova, former political attaché of Ms Proulx in Montmagny, is at the origin of the complaint. She worked at the CAQ MP from September 2019 to January 2020.
The employee was officially fired on July 26, 2021, the date of the “last manifestation of harassment,” according to documents filed with the TAT and obtained thanks to the Access to Information Act. Ms. Canova also filed a complaint related to her dismissal.
No hearing date is currently set in the file. The alleged victim, who was contacted by our Bureau of Investigation, preferred not to comment as “the file follows the court proceeding.”
The CAQ government was also stingy with comments: “The MP currently has no access to information on this file. It is not possible to comment at this point in time,” said Marc Danis, press spokesman for the CAQ, by email.
Second Complaint
One thing is certain, the CAQ has already committed to re-introducing Ms Proulx’s candidacy in the October 3 federal election. The outgoing MP was invested in riding the Côte-du-Sud, which spans the Chaudière-Appalaches and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions, as a candidate for François Legault’s troops in mid-May.
This is the second time Ms Proulx has been the subject of a formal complaint of bullying. In August 2020, Christian Picard, his ex-district director, seized the TAT for wrongful termination and bullying. The case was settled out of court in August 2021 in exchange for financial compensation from taxpayers’ money.
lost ministerial post
In the wake of allegations of harassment against her, Ms Proulx had also lost her position as Minister for Regional Economic Development, but remained a CAQ MP (see below).
“I have to conclude that she cannot remain Minister,” commented Prime Minister François Legault in May 2021.
Nonetheless, Mr Legault said he was reassured by the situation at the Côte-du-Sud member’s riding office. “We will monitor the situation closely. We’ll make sure we check that out because for me it’s non-negotiable,” he said.
14 DEPARTURES AND TWO COMPLAINTS
February 2020
The Journal reports 14 departures from Marie-Ève Proulx’s entourage since she arrived as Minister. Former employees report, on condition of anonymity, a poisoned climate with insults, harassment and intimidation.
Aug 2020
The Minister is the subject of a formal complaint by her former District Manager to the Administrative Labor Court for bullying. The case is settled amicably.
May 2021
Marie-Ève Proulx loses her post as Minister over ongoing bullying allegations.
Aug 2021
The Administrative Labor Court received another complaint alleging bullying, which allegedly took place in July of the same year.
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