Ed Flynn thought there must be something to it when he listened to Progressive Conservative Leader Paul Davis hint of harassment complaints within the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal caucus in the House of Assembly earlier this week.
“It was first questioned in question period. ... I thought because of what he did there was some basis of fact.”
Flynn is originally from Corner Brook and has been living in St. John’s for five years. The longtime political watcher said he is not a member of any party, but he did consider a run for the PCs in the last provincial election.
Davis didn’t refer to any specific complainant in the House on Tuesday, and on Wednesday Premier Dwight Ball publicly stated a harassment complaint had been received. Ball said the complaint was not related to any physical or sexual harassment.
On Thursday morning, Ball issued a statement identifying Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Eddie Joyce as the subject of that complaint. He also said the MHA for Humber-Bay of Islands would step down from his ministerial duties while the complaint is investigated by an independent, outside firm. Later in the day, he said Joyce has volunteered to remove himself from the Liberal caucus and effective Monday he would sit as an Independent.
“I was absolutely not surprised that other dominos fell,” Flynn said of the way the situation unfolded. “I thought it would be somebody, if not one or two, at least one very high-profile head was going to roll as a result of these accusations.”
Ball didn’t identity the complainant, but later in the day Service NL Minister Sherry Gambin-Walsh confirmed she was the one who filed the complaint. This came after Joyce mentioned her name while talking with reporters. PC MHA Tracey Perry has also said she will file a complaint against Joyce.
Flynn said he doesn’t know Joyce personally and could not cast a personal or accusatory word about him.
“What I see in the public sphere and how he handled himself in question period the other day, I’m not a big fan of it.”
And while he has no knowledge of the nature of the harassment, he does wonder how Joyce handles himself in his dealings with cabinet when it comes to where and how much money is going to be spent and by whom.
Flynn said the situation will have a negative reflection on Joyce, and if he were a Liberal supporter he would not be in favour of how Education Minister Dale Kirby, Justice Minister Andrew Parsons and Ball have handled it to this point.
“It just sounds like they are in hide-and-seek and cover-up mode,” said Flynn.
