OTTAWA - Justice Minister Peter MacKay says the misconduct allegations made against two Liberal MPs — along with the sexual violence allegations made against former CBC host Jian Ghomeshi — could have a silver lining.
MacKay says a mature discussion is unfolding across the country that has increased public awareness of the issues surrounding sexual harassment.
Speaking in Toronto, he says the dialogue could ultimately result in changes to criminal law or practices in the workplace.
Earlier this week, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau suspended MPs Scott Andrews and Massimo Pacetti over allegations of serious personal misconduct against two female NDP MPs. Both say they've done nothing wrong.
As many as nine women have alleged in media reports that they experienced "abusive behaviour'' by Ghomeshi, who was let go by the CBC last month. He has launched a lawsuit against the public broadcaster.
Ghomeshi has said he has engaged in rough sex, but that it was always consensual. He has vowed to meet the allegations "directly.''