Report details sexual harassment investigation of northern Ont. MPP Michael Mantha

Details of the sexual harassment investigation involving former New Democrat MPP Michael Mantha have been released as part of a grievance filed by his former staffer.

The grievance details the harassment accusations that Mantha’s former staffer -- referred to as the ‘grievor’ -- brought to the attention of the Ontario NDP, which eventually led to an investigation by Mireille Mortimer, of Mortimer Khoraych Workplace Investigations.

It ended with Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, being booted from the party’s caucus.

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The harassment, which the investigation concluded was substantiated “on a balance of probabilities,” includes instances in which “Mantha pressured the former staffer to engage in non-consensual sexual interactions with him,” said the decision from arbitrator Jasbir Parmar, who heard the case.

“MPP Mantha sexually harassed the grievor on a regular basis in the office, engaging in several incidents of unwanted physical and sexual contact, notwithstanding the grievor’s protests that he stop such conduct.”

Mantha also asked the former staffer to send him “sexually explicit photos of herself” and tell him about any sexual dreams she had about him.

“MPP Mantha pressured the grievor to work from the office more often so that he could physically have access to her and continue his practice of sexually touching her,” the decision said.

The Mortimer investigation, as it is known, relied on the examination of phone calls, emails and interviews with the grievor in the case.

Three witnesses with direct knowledge of the allegations were also interviewed, and there was a “review of substantial video evidence, as well as text messages and online communications.”

After receiving the report Aug. 15, 2023, the NDP permanently removed Mantha from caucus.

Independent MPP Michael Mantha is photographed Ontario Legislature, in Toronto on Thursday May 18, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)

On Jan. 19 of this year, the party informed the woman that her position was terminated because Mantha was no longer a member of the Ontario New Democrats.

The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 343, grieved that decision on her behalf, arguing she had lost her job through no fault of her own and that terminating her position violated the collective agreement.

In a decision released Aug. 8, the arbitrator agreed.

“I have concluded that the grievor’s employment was not terminated for just cause,” the arbitrator said.

“The grievor’s employment with the ONDP caucus was frustrated, through no fault of her own, following the removal of MPP Mantha from the ONDP caucus based on the substantiated findings that he had engaged in sexual harassment, workplace harassment, discrimination on the basis of sex, abuse of authority and the creation of a toxic workplace in relation to the grievor during the period of her employment.”

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Mantha reacted to the decision in a statement:

“The last two years have been very challenging, but it is time to move past this matter,” the statement said.

“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 Member of Provincial Parliament for the remainder of this term and leave the decision on my future in the hands of voters in Algoma-Manitoulin.”