MONTREAL — A popular Quebec media personality is suspending his professional activities amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Producer and talk show host Eric Salvail made the decision today after Montreal La Presse published a story with allegations from 11 people who said they were either sexually harassed or witnessed such behaviour.
Ten of them came forward under the condition of anonymity.
Just hours after the allegations appeared, Salvail said in a statement on his Facebook page he was "deeply shaken" by the allegations against him.
He says he feels a lot of empathy for anyone who may have felt discomfort with his behaviour.
Salvail, 48, says he never intended to offend anyone and will take a few days to take stock of the situation.
Salvail has his own TV production company and is also a well known media figure with his own show on Groupe V Media as well as being a staple on afternoon radio in the province.
Groupe V Media suspended his show "En mode Salvail" for an undetermined period and removed reference to it from its website Wednesday.
The web page for his "Eric et les Fantastiques" radio show on Bell Media-owned Rouge FM also disappeared.
The allegations have cost Salvail various endorsements — with grocery chain Metro Inc. (TSX:MRU) and tour company Transat A.T. Inc (TSX:TRZ) dropping him from different campaigns.
