Federal Liberal Party has uncertain future in Calgary; political scientist
Posted Jan 26, 2018 7:40 am.
Last Updated Jan 26, 2018 11:55 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A political scientist believes the Federal Liberal Party has a very shaky future in Calgary.
Calgary MP Kent Hehr resigned from cabinet Thursday following sexual misconduct allegations; this is the second caucus member from the city to face similar accusations.
Darshan Kang stepped down from the Liberal caucus in August 2017, after a young woman on his staff came forward accusing the Calgary MP of sexual harassment.
Mount Royal University Political Scientist Duane Bratt tells CITY this may lead to the end of the party.
“Both Darshan Kang and Kent Hehr had won seats in Calgary as Provincial Liberals now they move to the federal arena and that was probably enough with Trudeau’s popularity to win those seats,” said Bratt. “Now both of them are in disgrace.
“It’s going to be tough for both of them to win re-election just given some of the unpopularity that Justin Trudeau has had in Calgary since his election. Both of them won very tight races, but now I don’t think the Liberals can win either of those seats.”
Bratt adds this is also not the first incident surrounding Kent Hehr.
“Back in the fall there were accusations about some rude comments he had made to veterans groups and thalidomide survivors,” he explained. “Now you tie it into the accusations about inappropriate sexual comments, and it’s going to tough for Kent Hehr to sustain himself, I don’t even know if he will run again.”
Kent Hehr remains a member of the Liberal caucus, with the party saying it is investigating the allegations.
