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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, F eb ru ar y 1, 20 18 | NEWS Local politicians guarded about Patrick Brown sexual misconduct allegations JULIE SLACK jslack@miltoncanadiancham- pion.com Local response has been guarded following the resignation o f PC Leader Patrick Brown, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by two women. The party is scrambling to find a permanent new leader in the wake o f his resignation. Vic Fedeli has been named interim lead­ er by Tory MPPs. Brown said he "categor­ ically" denies allegations made against him. "After consulting with caucus, friends and family I have decided to step down as leader o f the Ontario PC Party. I will remain on as a MPP while I definitively clear my name from these false allegations," he said. Requests for reaction from local Liberal MPPs were referred to the pre­ mier's statement made Thursday, Jan. 25, at Queen's Park. Kathleen Wynne gath­ ered reporters in her office shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday to say Ontarians are "shaken this morning" by what they've heard on the news. "I first want to say that the young women who have shared their experi­ ences are very brave. It was very courageous for them to step forward. In my heart, I hope that they are finding the supports that they need now," she said. "They did a very diffi­ cult thing, and they've been carrying this for years. There's an impact to them. I hope they are safe. I hope they are surround- Rick M adonik/Toronto Star PC Leader Patrick Brown begins to leave the PC Caucus room for the late night press conference. The Ontario Progressive Party held a late night press conference to discus possible issues around Leader Patrick Brown. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik Rick Madonik/Toronto Star ed by loved ones today. "When I heard these al­ legations, I was shocked. And when I came to work this morning, I wanted to talk to people around the province who are reading this news and wondering what is going on." Milton PC candidate Parm Gill agreed with Brown's decision to resign, tweeting the following statement: "As a father of three, I support the cli­ mate that has been created to empower women and girls to come forward and speak out. Patrick Brown's decision to step down to deal with these allegations was the right one." Oakville PC candidate Stephen Crawford re­ leased the following state­ ment on Twitter: • See PEOPLE page 34 SUPERSTYLE REINERS O T T O M A N S V A R IE T Y O F CHAIRS M A N Y SOFA S E T S TYLES T O C H O O S E FR O M SUPERSTYLE trenct/L'̂ .--=> M A N Y D IF F E R E N T A R T W O R K S (GROUP OF SEVEN) U PH O LSTER ED HEADBOARDS M A N Y S T Y L E S & F A B R IC S A VA ILA B LE , E LEG AN T SELECTIO N OF FIREPLACE U N ITS GREAT SELECTION OF MIRRORS TO CHOOSE FROM D IN IN G S E T S * C om e see w h y we have been chosen th e B E S T ! SO UTH OAKVILLE CENTRE (formerly Hoped*Mill) B U R LIN G TO N M A LL Newlocdtiori (Qo--.eto Hudrori Bdyf 9 0 5 . 8 4 7 . 2 9 7 5 9 0 5 . 6 3 5 . 8 7 7 9 Classique-Decor.com | | / S T E VE N SO N \VH E LTO N MacDONALD&SWAN LLP PERSONAL INJURY + MEDICAL MALPRACTICE Experienced Trial Lawyers Serving Oakville, Milton and Burlington OTswLawyers.ca 1 5 4 0 C o r n w a l l R o a d 9 0 5 . 8 4 2 . 3 8 3 8 S u i t e 1 0 6 , O a k v i l le Local politicians guarded about Patrick Brown sexual misconduct allegations DINING SETS ||/ST E VE N SO N\VH E LTO N PERSONAL INJURY + MEDICAL MALPRACTICE