I’d like to make a statement on the arrest, and charging of MLA Jordan Kealy for sexual assault. A survivor of sexual assault myself (and no, not the one that made the news), this one hits home. We now have, in our Legislative Assembly and sitting directly to my right, MLA Hon Chan who has been arrested and charged with domestic violence, specifically choking. And directly to my left, MLA Jordan Kealy who has been charged with sexual assault. Special prosecutors have been appointed in both cases. I’m calling on Hon and Kealy to go to the Speaker and ask for the government to find a way to allow them to take a leave of absence until these criminal matters are cleared. I make this statement not for me though. I make this statement calling on these two legislators to step away at this time, not because I am pre-judging their guilt or innocence but because constituents in their riding cannot possibly feel comfortable going to them as their elected representatives in these circumstances. Both these men came into this House via the Conservative Party of BC, or they are currently members of the party. Conservatives talk a big game about law and order, and protection of women until it’s their guys who have been arrested. Then we get crickets. Their new leader Kerry-Lynne D Findlay, @KerryLynneFindl who gleefully accepted an endorsement from Kealy only days and weeks ago, has simply deleted all her social media posts with him and said nothing. MLA Trevor Halford @TrevHal who until days ago was the leader, has done nothing. MLA Chan’s membership is intact. Mine was cancelled for taking a bill to committee. If we want to signal to society, to our constituents, to women, to survivors that we think violence against women is a serious thing, we need to start acting like it. At the local government level if someone is charged like this they go on a mandatory leave if absence. Why should it be any different at the provincial level? All the same logic applies. Friends, I dream of a world where we should never have to have this conversation. I dream of a world where elected officials charged with violence and crimes against women and sex crimes are automatically barred from the House until the court has adjudicated. I dream of a world where 40% of girls in BC have not been sexually assaulted in some way before they’re old enough to drive. I dream of a world where women aren’t taught to protect themselves, but men are taught not to beat and rape and assault. I dream of a world where prison sentences when people are convicted are longer than essentially a handful of months. And I refuse to give up on that world. Please join me in emailing the Opposition by sending an email to Trevor Halford (until the new leader has an email) to demand he cancel the membership of MLA Chan, lobby the government to remove these two until the courts have adjudicated, and once and for all let’s see who has the real conservative values by taking the stance against violence against women and sexual violence against women this situation calls for. Both these MLAs are entitled to the presumption of innocence. But they shouldn’t be entitled to remain in this high office, one of such trust and responsibility and often vulnerability of their communities which will undoubtedly be filled with survivors as all communities are. Survivors, I see you. Anyone requiring support please call VictimLinkBC: Toll-free, multilingual crisis support and referrals for victims of crime, including sexual violence. Call or text 1-800-563-0808. 💛 #bcpoli