WINNIPEG – A former Manitoba cabinet minister is apologizing after women came forward alleging he tickled them and made inappropriate remarks while he was in government.
Stan Struthers, who was in cabinet for more than a decade while the NDP were in power, says he recently learned his behaviour made former colleagues and staff feel disrespected and he is sorry.
He says in a statement he never intended to treat women as anything other than equal.
Joelle Saltel-Allard, who worked for Struthers as his press secretary between 2009 and 2011, says he used to touch and tickle her, often in front of other people.
She says he also put his hand on her knee during a car ride and talked about sex acts he would enjoy.
She says she lodged a complaint with her boss who took it up the chain of command, but was told an election was looming and to “suck it up.”