A minor controversy has been brewing this week in the Saskatoon riding of Blackstrap. The news media recently became aware of an internal grievance filed against Patti Gieni by two co-workers over alleged bullying in the workplace. The New Democrat candidate is an employee of the Saskatoon Transit Commission and was working as a dispatcher at the time of the alleged incident.

A subsequent investigation initiated by the City of Saskatoon found that Gieni had breached 11 policies related to bullying, she was re-assigned to be a bus driver afterwards. Gieni has since taken a leave of absence due to stress brought on by the ordeal and the death of a close loved one. However, the process is still on-going as a grievance on behalf of Gieni has been filed by her union.

Today the Liberal candidate in Blackstrap, Deb Ehmann, has called for Gieni’s resignation from the race, citing the “serious” allegations against her. For her part Gieni has been above board about the incident with the New Democratic party from the beginning and sees no reason to step down.

Trying to put aside my partisan glasses as best as possible with this situation, what I see is a Liberal candidate trying to make political hay out of an incident before all has been settled. Given the sad state of affairs for the Liberals in Saskatchewan (and Saskatoon in particular) I am not surprised that their Blackstrap candidate has decided to stake her flag on this hill. However, without a formal and final conclusion on this matter the Ehmann should tread lightly. In light of recent departures of NDP candidates in BC, and candidates from the other parties over the past week, it would seem that Ehmann is trying to capitalize on the current wave sweeping our news media. That being said, should the allegations be proven true at the end of the process than it will surely have an impact on the ability of Gieni to run for public office in the future. It should be noted that the Conservative candidate has declined to wallow in the mud along with the Liberal on this issue.

On a personal note, I have know Patti Gieni for the better part of two years and have found her to be nothing but a gracious, outgoing, and enthusiastic person. She has been a great New Democratic candidate, a great campaginer who understands and cares about the issues, and would make a great MP for the residents of Blackstrap.