There's an empty chair inside the Manitoba Conservative caucus room as Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon has been kicked out of the fold.
"These are difficult decisions and they're important decisions to take," said Premier Brian Pallister.
Last week Graydon apologized for making an inappropriate remark to a legislative staff member. He also announced he was not running in 2020 and taking medical leave.
Premier Brian Pallister said a decision was made to remove the MLA from caucus and that he will also take measures to relieve Graydon of his role on the Manitoba Hydro board.
"So inappropriate behavior has its consequences and today those consequences were that Mr. Graydon has been removed from the PC caucus," said Pallister.
This isn't the first time Graydon's been in hot water. He took sensitivity training last winter after using social media to call asylum seekers a drain and shared other people's Twitter posts calling the prime minister a scumbag.
"We took action, Mr. Graydon took counselling, he was entered into counselling. Evidently, that counselling was less than successful," said Pallister.
NDP leader Wab Kinew says while he isn't privy to the details, he's not taking issue with Graydon's dismissal.
"Based on what's been reported publicly, yes it seems like the right decision,” said Kinew.
The Pallister government says it has set up a system known as the ‘no wrong door approach’ where victims of harassment can feel free and protected to come forward to anyone.
Manitoba Liberal leader Dougald Lamont says more is needed.
"We need an independent ethics commissioner who can actually take care of this and we don't have that,” said Dougald Lamont.
CTV News was unable to reach Graydon for comment.
