The Progressive Conservatives will not pursue a motion to expel Independent MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin from the legislature.

The MLA for Cumberland North had accused the PC caucus of signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) aimed at silencing a young staffer alleged to have been the victim of sexual harassment in 2017.

Premier Tim Houston told reporters on Wednesday the purpose of the motion was to correct the allegation made by Smith-McCrossin because no such NDA exists and the document she produced was not what she claimed.

Houston said the PC Caucus agreed to accept, as a form of retraction, an answer Smith-McCrossin gave journalists during a scrum late Tuesday.

The purported NDA that MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin tabled at the legislature on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The handwriting at upper right is the clerk of the legislature’s note. Credit: Jennifer Henderson

Smith McCrossin, who employed Kaitlin Saxton after Saxton lost her job with the PC Caucus, admitted to reporters the document she found in her office after the employee died did not prove the PC Caucus had an NDA with the woman.

“The question is who then did create that non-disclosure agreement? It is unsigned. I do not have the answer,” Smith-McCrossin explained to reporters.

Despite having a majority, the PCs are dropping their threat to expel Smith-McCrossin after both opposition leaders voiced their concerns, saying such a move is intimidating and undemocratic.

Jennifer Henderson is a freelance journalist and retired CBC News reporter.

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  1. So Baillie/MacFarlane/NS PC Caucus have nothing to hide or be ashamed of here, right heh. Houston have your party members vote their own free will, do what is right and pass the NDA legislation, show some class. We all have moms, daughters, sisters, aunts should they subject to this oppressive and abuse that coming from these NDA’s which are written to mostly protect the “privileged “well connected and well to do; not the normal average Nova Scotian
    Kaitlin Saxton, you deserve so much better that what the last week has brought your memory. Hopefully some good can come from this legislation to benefit others in the future.