Senator Don Meredith, is pictured in an undated handout photo.HO/The Canadian Press
The Senate's ethics watchdog says she is moving ahead with a full investigation of a Toronto-area senator over allegations of workplace harassment.
The decision is a sign that Lyse Ricard believes there is enough to the allegations against Independent Sen. Don Meredith to warrant an inquiry into his behaviour to see if it violated the Senate's code of conduct.
The code doesn't allow the ethics officer to publicly explain why she decides to proceed with an investigation after a preliminary review, but her office says a final report will be made when she completes her work.
Meredith did not immediately return a request for comment.
The ethics code allows the Senate to punish conduct unbecoming of a senator or that damages the image of the Senate.
Penalties range from a forced public apology on the floor of the Senate to suspension without pay.