Manitoba premier apologizes to defence lawyers as legislature session resumes
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew apologized to defence lawyers Wednesday for comments he made when his NDP caucus expelled backbencher Mark Wasyliw.
Wasyliw, who is a criminal defence lawyer, was removed from the governing caucus last month because one of his colleagues, Gerri Wiebe, is representing disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard, who has already been convicted on sexual assault charges and faces more. At the time, Kinew said someone cannot be affiliated with both Nygard and the NDP.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Winnipeg newsletters
The rationale met immediate backlash from legal groups, who said defence lawyers play an important role in ensuring everyone has the right to representation in court.
Kinew initially did not back down. But on Wednesday, he called Wiebe to apologize personally and later apologized publicly on the floor of the legislature.
"The reasons given for the expulsion of one of our former MLAs were accurate. However, upon reflection, my desire for transparency to the people of Manitoba should have been outweighed by my deep respect for the independence of the justice system," Kinew said.
"All that I should have said publicly is that there are irreconcilable differences with that (legislature member) and we wish him well."
Kinew also apologized to defence attorneys "as a profession." He did not say what prompted his change of heart and did not talk to reporters waiting in the hall after question period.
Wiebe said she accepted the premier's mea culpa and thanked him.
"He said that it was inappropriate for him to characterize the defence bar the way that he did and he apologized," Wiebe said.
"All I ever wanted out of this situation was for it to be clear that what a defence lawyer does is an important and necessary part of the justice system."
Wasyliw represents the Fort Garry constituency in Winnipeg and now sits as an Independent. He questioned why the premier took so long to change his position
"It would have meant more several weeks ago," Wasyliw said.
The apology came on the first day of the fall legislature sitting, which further highlighted the split between the NDP caucus and Wasyliw.
The Opposition Progressive Conservatives ceded some of their time in Question Period so that Wasyliw could have an opportunity to fire questions at his former colleagues. Wasyliw has accused Kinew of being a dysfunctional bully, which the premier has denied.
The Tories also called for the ethics commissioner to look into Wasyliw's accusations against Kinew.
The fall sitting, which is scheduled to run until early November, will focus partly on getting the government's omnibus budget bill passed into law.
The bill, which enacts many of the changes in the spring budget, has come under fire from the Progressive Conservatives for being too broad.
The government inserted non-budget items into the bill, including a measure that would forbid employers from using replacement workers during labour disputes.
The government is also promising new legislation in the coming weeks to control the sale of machetes as an anti-crime measure.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2024
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The impact of Trump's lies in Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio was once a manufacturing hub. Now, people know it for Trump's comments at September's presidential debate, when he famously - and falsely - told an audience of 67 million people that Haitians eat their pets, echoing claims that had circulated on social media.
Iran's supreme leader threatens Israel, U.S. with 'a crushing response' over Israeli attack
Iran's supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the U.S. with 'a crushing response' over attacks on Iran and its allies.
Vancouver quietly proclaimed Chip Wilson Day as billionaire installed sign calling B.C. NDP 'communist'
On the same day Chip Wilson erected a controversial sign at his Vancouver mansion, the city was quietly honouring the billionaire and his wife.
Ont. woman posed as registered nurse in Simcoe County for 4 years: OPP
An Ontario woman is facing serious charges after police allege she pretended to be a registered nurse at several Simcoe County facilities, despite being unqualified.
Spain to send 10,000 soldiers, police to Valencia after deadly floods
Spain is sending 5,000 more soldiers and 5,000 more police to the eastern region of Valencia after deadly floods this week that killed more than 200 people, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced Saturday.
Jury convicts former Kentucky officer of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during deadly raid
A federal jury on Friday convicted a former Kentucky police detective of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during a botched 2020 drug raid that left her dead.
Orphaned squirrel who became social media star was euthanized after being seized from New York home
An orphaned squirrel that became a social media star called Peanut was euthanized after state authorities seized the beloved pet during a raid on his caretaker's home, authorities said Friday.
Auto theft probe leads to arrest of 59 suspects, recovery of more than 300 stolen vehicles: Toronto police
Toronto police say 59 suspects are facing a total of 300 charges in connection with an auto theft and re-vinning probe.
New furniture rules in U.S. could make furniture safer for children in Canada
A new law in the United States will make new dressers much safer for children and could make dressers in Canada safer as well.