This writer has been saying for weeks that #MeToo was going to hit Canadian politics. It has struck with a fury in Hollywood, the media, Washington and the cultural elite. It was only a matter of time before it took down the creeps and criminals slithering through the Canadian corridors of power, too.
There are other men who are about to be exposed. Count on it. The media have been on their trail for many weeks. Once it gets through the editors – once it is okayed by the lawyers – other men will be going down. It is overdue. It is needed.
One of these men is very, very powerful. The stories have been known about him for three years. They are in affidavits, plural.
His name will shock you.
It is up to the victims who swore those affidavits to step forward and tell their story. Not me or those like me. It will take courage – telling truth to the powerful always takes courage – but now, I’d say, is the time.
The country needs to hear their story, and judge.
I do not think the judgement will be in this man’s favour.
“Impossible to know for sure,” I told her. “But it’s also impossible there aren’t many more cases out there. Women considering [telling their] #MeToo story should remember this: in law, the truth is an absolute defence.”
The journalist is unconvinced. “Yeah,” she says. “But truth ends up being the same old he-said-she-said game in court.”
“The balance tilts in favour of female complainants, these days,” I replied. “And appropriately so. Every lawyer knows that.”
She is still doubtful. She says so.
Me: “I’m telling you a cultural shift is underway. The law isn’t immune to that.”
And:
“The time for them to speak out is now. Now.
“Something is happening out there. And it is glorious and overdue and righteous. It’s time!”
“It was different, many years ago,” he says. “It was difficult for women to complain.”
He paused.
“Those days are gone,” he said. “And that’s a good thing.”
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Column: #MeToo isn’t just coming to political Canada – it’s here | Warren Kinsella
Read the comments, and remember Kinsella has vetted them.
Wow.
We'll have to wait. Much as I loathe him, Trudeau has the right to a fair review of any accusation.
But, as I have long said, any man in this day of third wave feminism that claims to be a feminist is either not very bright or has an agenda, political or personal......or any combination of the above.
Wait and see if I'm proved right in this case.
If it happened, I have the deepest sympathy for the women involved. And admiration for their bravery in coming forward against the most powerful man in Canada.
Wait and see.
There are other men who are about to be exposed. Count on it. The media have been on their trail for many weeks. Once it gets through the editors – once it is okayed by the lawyers – other men will be going down. It is overdue. It is needed.
One of these men is very, very powerful. The stories have been known about him for three years. They are in affidavits, plural.
His name will shock you.
It is up to the victims who swore those affidavits to step forward and tell their story. Not me or those like me. It will take courage – telling truth to the powerful always takes courage – but now, I’d say, is the time.
The country needs to hear their story, and judge.
I do not think the judgement will be in this man’s favour.
**
I was on my way to Calgary to start teaching at my alma mater, the Faculty of Law. A journalist contacted me. She asked me if there had been an increase in the number of defamation cases, or warnings, aimed at women who speak up about alleged harassers and abusers.“Impossible to know for sure,” I told her. “But it’s also impossible there aren’t many more cases out there. Women considering [telling their] #MeToo story should remember this: in law, the truth is an absolute defence.”
The journalist is unconvinced. “Yeah,” she says. “But truth ends up being the same old he-said-she-said game in court.”
“The balance tilts in favour of female complainants, these days,” I replied. “And appropriately so. Every lawyer knows that.”
She is still doubtful. She says so.
Me: “I’m telling you a cultural shift is underway. The law isn’t immune to that.”
And:
“The time for them to speak out is now. Now.
“Something is happening out there. And it is glorious and overdue and righteous. It’s time!”
**
Before I board the plane, I hear from a former Prime Minister. I tell him what an honour it was to work for him – a man who married his high school sweetheart. A man whose conduct was beyond reproach. A man who never tolerated such conduct by his staff or his caucus or his cabinet. Ever.“It was different, many years ago,” he says. “It was difficult for women to complain.”
He paused.
“Those days are gone,” he said. “And that’s a good thing.”
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35 Comments
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Luke says:
January 29, 2018 at 9:59 am
Now I am wondering what this mystery name is. I could only guess wildly.
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doconnor says:
January 29, 2018 at 1:20 pm
There are interesting parallels with the phasing used here and in this comment: #MeToo and #PCPO | Warren Kinsella
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the salamander horde says:
January 29, 2018 at 12:00 pm
.. despite the current environment that encourages women to come forward because of sheer numbers that will help diffuse the hate & anger.. its still going to be vicious.. just wicked vicious. When one sees what Notely has pitchforked at her in Alberta, its stunning.. Keep up the good work.. its recognized, its highly appreciated..
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Kevin says:
January 29, 2018 at 12:11 pm
Warren can you give us a hint who the “powerful” man is?
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Matt says:
January 29, 2018 at 1:25 pm
If it’s the same person who I’ve been told has multiple sworn affidavits against him, you can’t get bigger in Canada. I know one of the people who’s signature is on one of the affidavits.
This person has told me the contents of the affidavits. Explosive doesn’t even begin to describe it. I will not repeat what I was told here because haven’t personally seen them, and even if I had, I don’t want to make legal trouble for Warren.
What I will say…… if they do get out, they will destroy this persons very carefully crafted public image and reputation.
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Kevin says:
January 29, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Is this guy a politician? If so is he liberal or conservative?
If not a politician in what field is he famous?
Thanks
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Matt says:
January 29, 2018 at 2:02 pm
He likes themed socks.
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Column: #MeToo isn’t just coming to political Canada – it’s here | Warren Kinsella
Read the comments, and remember Kinsella has vetted them.
Wow.
We'll have to wait. Much as I loathe him, Trudeau has the right to a fair review of any accusation.
But, as I have long said, any man in this day of third wave feminism that claims to be a feminist is either not very bright or has an agenda, political or personal......or any combination of the above.
Wait and see if I'm proved right in this case.
If it happened, I have the deepest sympathy for the women involved. And admiration for their bravery in coming forward against the most powerful man in Canada.
Wait and see.
