Monarch Theatre harassment allegations prompt Medicine Hat schools to stop placing students

The Medicine Hat School Division will no longer allow its students to work at the Monarch Theatre as part of its work experience courses.

• NEW DEVELOPMENT JAN 26|Monarch Theatre harassment allegations unfounded, probe finds

Students who took those courses are among those who are alleging that they were verbally and sexually harassed by the theatre's manager while they worked there.

• Monarch Theatre harassment allegations prompt call to dissolve Medicine Hat agency
• Monarch theatre workers say complaints about on-going harassment unresolved

CBC News has spoken with seven former employees of the theatre who say they were yelled at, sworn at, and had sexual comments made about their appearance. They were all between 13 to 25 years old when they worked at the theatre.

The complainants all spoke to CBC News on the condition of anonymity, fearing retribution for speaking out. They say when they complained about the behaviour, nothing was done to address the issue and they weren't taken seriously by the man's employer.

A 17-year-old girl says the manager told her she would "look hot in a short skirt that was halfway up my butt", and that she was sometimes told by the man she had a "sexy ass".

School unaware

Two students got their jobs at the Monarch Theatre through their high school. They were enrolled in a work experience course, where they earned credits working at companies which are screened by their teachers. The students later completed written work about their employment.

"Given the allegations that have come forward, we will not be placing students at this workplace in the future," said Lyle Cunningham,acting superintendent of the Medicine Hat School Division, in a statement to CBC News.

Cunninghamsaid he was unaware of the problems the students say they were having at the theatre.

The link between the harassment complaints at the theatre and two schools in Medicine Hat is also a concern for Alberta's minister of education.

"Certainly, I am disturbed to hear of the allegations made by students working at this venue," David Eggen said.

"Our priority is to ensure students are learning in welcoming, caring, respectful and safe environments, regardless of whether that is occurring within the walls of a school or as part of an off-campus education program," Eggen said.

The theatre manager has declined a request for an interview about the issue, saying he is not authorized to speak to the media. The CBC is not naming the man as it is not believed these are criminal matters.

'Coached into making complaints'

The allegations are being dismissed by the theatre's owner, the City Centre Development Agency (CCDA).

The chair of the board for the CCDA, Les Schwabe, said allegations of any misconduct against its employee are totally unfounded.

Schwabe said some of the complaints from two years ago were "all looked after".

Schwabe also said he felt the young people complaining of mistreatment were "being coerced by adults" and "coached into making complaints".

A complaint to the CCDA of sexual harassment earlier this year was referred to the Medicine Hat police for investigation. However, no charges resulted as officers did not find any evidence of criminality. Schwabe said that ended the matter.

The province has directed occupational health and safety investigators to ensure the Monarch Theatre has proper policies in place to protect workers from harassment.

The City of Medicine Hat is staying out of the matter even though it created the business revitalization zone to promote investment and development in the city's downtown.

City council appoints the CCDA board members and gives the organization an annual grant of $100,000. The city also collects a mandatory special levy annually for the CCDA from its more than 200 members who are downtown business owners.

Some of those business owners have started to circulate a petition calling on city council to dissolve the organization.