Before yesterday evening, the #MeToo movement was something from the international headlines; this morning people were waking up to see that Barrie is a major part of those headlines.
The recent allegations of sexual misconduct against Ontario Progressive Conservative leader and MPP for Simcoe North Patrick Brown which lead to his resignation have not only left the Conservative Party in disarray, but has equally affected the area which has supported him for so long. Brown is well-known in the city for his many charity events and well-mannered demeanour, but the attention has turned to the potential victims and the community from which the former Leader Of the Opposition cut his political teeth. Brown’s name is now being circulated online along with the stories of #MeToo.
The #MeToo movement starting gaining circulation in October of 2017 with the goal to draw attention to workplace sexual assault and harassment. Local entrepreneur and single mom Shannon Murree is heavily involved with local charities and events that lend a hand to women who need it. Murree knows that the #MeToo movement is a great way for women to voice their stories, but stresses that the real work is only beginning.
“I'm very disappointed should the allegations be true however, I am not the judge or jury,” said Murree. “This is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly. It's not my place to make a judgment call as I haven't been witness to anything. But with causes like One Billion Rising and the work that Women and Children's Shelter, Canadian Women's Foundation and so many other organizations do not only in the #MeToo Movement, I applaud anyone and everyone who comes forward, male or female, if they feel at any time that their rights are violated, have been manipulated or taken advantage of in any way. I am so grateful that this is giving people the platform to speak up for themselves. In my opinion, it's a start but still so much work needs to be done. Being a mom of boys and a girl, it's very important for all of us to take matters such as this seriously.”
City Hall was a quiet buzz with the news hitting everyone as they came to work today, but Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman released his thoughts and opinions on the recent allegations toward Patrick Brown via Twitter this morning saying, “I was shocked to learn of the allegations against Patrick Brown. Everyone deserves the right to be safe and feel safe in our community. There is no doubt it took great courage for these women to come forward. Women across the country are ending their silence and we need to listen. Sexual misconduct must stop.”
While online platforms have turned into a war of words between backers of all the country’s political parties, locally there are ways to have civilized and up front conversations. Barrie Pride is holding a conversation session tonight at 6 p.m. at the Local Gastropub at 37 Dunlop West. The event is hoping to draw people in from the community who are unsure how to feel about the recent Brown allegations and allow respectful opinions be heard and understood. Shelly Skinner is the vice-chair of Barrie Pride and says that those who are against the hashtag trends or are questioning their motives need understand that it’s a good thing so long as people are speaking out.
“Obviously we don’t know if the allegations are true and only Patrick and the accusers know for sure but it’s certainly not looking good,” said Skinner. “But whether it's #TimesUp or #MeToo, it is a trend that has sparked a fire under women to say that finally someone is going to believe me; and it has been far too long that women have been made to feel powerless in the workplace among other areas of life. Men in a position of power cannot use that position, stated or implied, to make advances on a woman who works for or underneath him; women cannot abuse that power either, it goes both ways and is just wrong.”
