NDP looking at hiring independent firm to oversee complaints from staff and volunteers - Notley

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley says her party is looking at hiring an independent third-party to oversee future harassment complaints from staff and volunteers.

The move comes a day after Notley acknowledged in a party e-mail that they are dealing with problems around how staff and volunteers are being treated.

Notley says she and the rest of the executive are recommending the party hire a firm with expertise in investigating, mediating, and resolving respect and harassment complaints.

She says the decision will be made at a meeting this weekend. Last week, a leaked letter from 15 party constituency presidents and regional vice-presidents warned of a pattern of ill-treatment of volunteers by staff.

Notley won't say what they have found, but some party members say volunteers have been yelled at, demeaned, harangued and mocked in forums and in meetings.