OTTAWA—A senior member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office is being investigated for multiple allegations of “inappropriate behaviour.”

Claude-Éric Gagné, deputy director of operations for the Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed Wednesday evening that he is the subject of the investigation — although the specific allegations remain unclear. Quebec broadcaster TVA reported Wednesday evening that multiple women have accused Gagné of “inappropriate behaviour.”

“I am taking this situation seriously and I offered my full and complete co-operation to the investigator,” Gagné told the Star, adding that he “challenges the veracity” of the allegations.

“Please understand that in the meantime, I will not make any other comments so as not to undermine this process I have agreed to participate in.”

Gagné was an influential member of Trudeau’s 2015 election team, serving as chief organizer in Quebec. Before that, he was an aide to several provincial Liberal politicians in Quebec, according to his LinkedIn profile.

As Trudeau staffed his office after his 2015 victory, Quebec media reports noted Gagné was one of the few staffers from Quebec with an influential position in the prime minister’s extended inner circle.

In a statement Wednesday evening, the PMO said it takes the allegations “extremely seriously.”

“In this case, an investigation was immediately triggered with the assistance of an independent investigator and the individual in question went on leave, pending the outcome,” said the statement, attributed to communications director Kate Purchase.

The PMO declined to provide further details in order “to protect the integrity of the process and ensure fairness for the parties.”

Trudeau has shown little tolerance for allegations of impropriety or inappropriate behaviour, even before taking office in 2015.

In 2014, Trudeau booted Liberal MPs Scott Andrews and Massimo Pacetti from his caucus for alleged “personal misconduct.” The allegations were later revealed to be complaints from two female New Democrat MPs that were sexual in nature.

“Look, folks, it’s 2014,” Trudeau said at the time. “It’s time that (the House of Commons), like other workplaces across the country, had a process whereby these issues can be aired and dealt with.”

With files from Bruce Campion-Smith

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Read more about: