ALGOMA-MANITOULIN—The Algoma-Manitoulin Riding Association is calling on MPP Michael Mantha to be accountable to his constituents and resign his position. This comes after an arbitration decision between the Ontario NDP Caucus and the Canadian and Professional Employees Union (CUPE) Local 343 was shared earlier this month which indicated why the MPP had been removed from the NDP caucus over alleged workplace harassment.
“A year and a half ago, Michael Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, was removed from the ONDP Caucus as an independent, confidential investigation into ‘workplace misconduct’ was undertaken. While details were sparse at the time, he was alleged to have been in contravention of the party’s harassment, violence, and discrimination policy. Our anti-harassment statement is read and recommitted to at every ONDP gathering,” read an ONDP Riding Association release submitted by the riding association president Lynn Dee Eason on August 16.
“While upon conclusion of the investigation Mantha’s removal from the ONDP Caucus was made permanent, the allegations against him remained confidential, until now. With the release of a staff grievance award on Friday, August 9, 2024 (as detailed in the August 14, 2024 edition of the Expositor), details of the investigation were made public for the first time,” the ONDP said.
“Arbitrator Jasbir Parmar reviewed the independent investigator report based on submitted material, from both parties, including witness testimony, email, texts, and video, which concluded, “that allegations of workplace harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination on the basis of sex, abuse of authority and creation of a toxic workplace, had all been substantiated,” continued the ONDP release.
“Despite this, Mantha seems intent on serving out his term and running as an independent candidate in the next provincial election. On August 12, 2024, he issued a statement stating that “it is time to move past this matter,” and that he “disagrees with some of the characterizations made,” the ONDP continued. “However, there does not seem to be any dispute that he engaged in grossly inappropriate behaviour toward an employee in contravention of not only our ONDPs anti-harassment policy, but even the most basic anti-harassment policy of any workplace.”
Mr. Mantha, when asked by the Expositor this past Saturday, said he would not comment further, beyond his previous statement on the arbitrator’s decision. His full statement reads, “The last two years have been very challenging, but it is time to move past this matter. While I disagree with some of the characterizations made, on the advice of my legal counsel I will not be commenting further at this time. It is my honour to represent the people of Algoma-Manitoulin. I will fulfill my role as MPP for the remainder of this term and leave the decision on my future in the hands of voters in Algoma-Manitoulin.”
Ms. Eason told the Expositor in an email to a question that MPP Mantha has never provided a detailed explanation to ONDP on what he has said is disagreement with some of the characterizations made in the arbitrator’s decision.
Ms. Eason said the call for MPP Mantha’s resignation was made by the ONDP elected riding association executive.
“The Algoma-Manitoulin ONDP Riding Association expresses our profound disappointment in Mr. Mantha’s unethical personal and professional behaviour,” states the release. “Algoma-Manitoulin deserves the integrity we voted for. Mantha, who claims he respects us, has not shown this for the survivor of his harassment, nor the constituents who elected him, and has stonewalled his way through this investigation. For two years, he has taken no accountability for his actions, claiming to be ‘baffled’ by the allegations.”
“We call on Mr. Mantha to take full responsibility for his actions and resign immediately from the position of member of Provincial Parliament for Algoma-Manitoulin,” the ONDP riding association release continues, adding, “Our thoughts remain with the survivor.”
