Manitoba premier defends decision to boot MLA, denies bullying claim

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is standing by his government’s decision to turf backbencher and defence lawyer Mark Wasyliw from caucus because a partner at the firm he works at represented convicted sex offender Peter Nygard.

The NDP removed Wasyliw on Monday saying the legislature member for Fort Garry failed to demonstrate “good judgment” by continuing to work at the law firm.

Kinew said that in the days leading up to the dismissal, caucus told Wasyliw he would have to give up his job as a lawyer if he wanted to stay with caucus.

Wasyliw declined, said Kinew.

“You can be affiliated with the NDP or you can be affiliated with Peter Nygard. But you can’t do both,” Kinew told reporters Tuesday.

“The caucus leadership made the decision to ask him to leave, and I support that decision 100 per cent.”

Kinew wouldn’t say whether caucus voted on the decision.

“We don’t talk about family business in public,” the premier said.

Following his dismissal, Wasyliw accused Kinew of being a micromanaging bully and called him a “toxic and dysfunctional leader.”

Wasyliw said he believes he was turfed because he has butted heads with the premier on some issues. He alleged the premier ignores caucus and cabinet concerns.

Kinew denied the allegations and said he has never bullied anyone on the job, yelled at any of his staff or dismissed opposing views.

“I’m more than comfortable to entertain opinions, because I think the consensus is stronger at the end of the day,” said Kinew.

Wasyliw has said he will continue to sit in the legislature as an Independent and speak for constituents who feel the NDP has strayed from its traditional values.

The Criminal Defence Lawyer Association of Manitoba has condemned the rational for Wasyliw’s ouster, arguing it sends a message that defence lawyers can be punished for having unpopular clients.

Nygard, who founded his fashion empire in Winnipeg, was sentenced earlier this month to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting four women at his company’s headquarters in Toronto. The 83-year-old continues to face charges in Manitoba, Quebec and the United States.

The NDP defended Wasyliw in 2019, when the Progressive Conservatives criticized him for representing impaired drivers. At the time, the NDP caucus said defence lawyers play an important role in ensuring the constitutional rights of Canadians to a fair trial.

Kinew said individuals have the right to be defended, but a sitting MLA shouldn’t be the one to do that.

“I have a huge amount of respect for the independence of the judiciary and respect for the administration of justice in Manitoba,” the premier said.

“But there is no correlation between the role of government and the political decision makers who sit around the government table. It’s completely separate.”

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives have called for a third-party investigation into the bullying allegation.

“This isn’t about politics and the fallout between Wab Kinew and Mark Wasyliw,” said Tory Leader Wayne Ewasko.

“This is about civil servants and staff at the legislative assembly. Protecting the respectful workplace they deserve and ensuring that people feel safe coming forward to report any misconduct by the premier and his senior staff.”

Wasyliw was first elected in 2019. Before the NDP formed government in 2023, he served as the party’s finance critic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.

Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press