On International Women’s Day, the Scarborough Southwest Liberals Must Answer for a Shameful Failure
Friends,
There are moments when our political institutions are tested not by policy debates or election results, but by something far more fundamental: their willingness to hold themselves accountable.
Today, on International Women's Day 2026, we find ourselves confronting such a test. And frankly, the response from the Scarborough Southwest Federal Liberal Association has been a profound disappointment.
In January, I published a firsthand account detailing an incident that should have sent shockwaves through the local party leadership. I described behaviour by Edward Nixon, the President of the Scarborough Southwest EDA, that was deeply inappropriate, degrading, physically invasive, and simply unbecoming of a person in a position of public trust.
My friend and I experienced unmistakable signs of intoxication, the unsolicited and degrading comments directed at me, and the unwanted physical contact; the touching of my friend's hand, her shoulder, and my thigh. I witnessed him fixate on her, learning her name while remaining so utterly unaware of his surroundings that he didn't notice when I gave him an obviously fake one.
For over 15 minutes, what should have been a safe civic space was violated by a senior party official. As such, I did exactly what responsible citizens should do: I reported it. I did not stay silent. I did not "protect the brand." I spoke the truth about an abuse of power that happened in plain sight.
Yet here we are, nearly two months later, on a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women and recommitting to their safety and equality. And Edward Nixon remains the president of that association.
This is a failure of leadership.
Imagine being a young woman, or the parent of a young woman, considering getting involved in your local political party. Imagine reading this account of predatory, intoxicated behaviour by the person who runs the local organization, and then learning that he faced no real consequences. What message does that send? It tells women: your safety is negotiable. It tells perpetrators: your status will protect you.
I have spent my short career working to build a more respectful tone in our politics. I know that true leadership isn't about making the easy choices; it's about making the right ones, even when they are difficult or uncomfortable. The right choice here is obvious.
The silence from the Scarborough Southwest EDA is complicity. Allowing Mr. Nixon to remain as president sends an unmistakable signal that his conduct was acceptable. It is not.
On this International Women's Day, we should be celebrating progress. Instead, we are forced to remind a local riding association of a fundamental principle: there is no place in our politics for those who degrade others, and there is no excuse for leaders who look the other way when it happens.
Edward Nixon must be removed. The association’s membership must demand accountability. And all of us who care about the integrity of our political process must speak up until they do.
Sincerely,
— Will Adams
Editor, The Provincial Times
