Manitoba premier confirms hiring private investigator to dig up info on NDP Leader
Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister confirmed on Tuesday he hired a private investigator to gather information on NDP leader Wab Kinew in advance of the 2019 provincial election, a move one political expert says compromises the integrity of the province's democracy.
Pallister confirmed the news when asked during a news conference on Tuesday.
“When we had information brought to us about a criminal record that the NDP had covered up, and that their leadership candidate Wab Kinew had covered it up. We didn’t take it at face value.”
In Kinew’s 2017 memoir, he revealed he had some run-ins with the law in his early 20s, offences for which he has since received pardons.
Later, it was learned that two issues were not mentioned in his book. Pallister said he wanted to get the facts about Kinew’s past.
“So, we had a criminal record check done and I think that’s an important thing to do. I think research matters.”
Kinew responded to the premier’s comments, saying the tactics being used reflects poorly on the party.
“It’s very desperate, it’s not true, and I think this is what we see every time the premier gets in trouble, he tries to attack me,” he said.
Kinew said he hasn’t filed a complaint.
Neil McArthur is the director of the centre for professional and applied ethics at the University of Manitoba, and he specializes in political philosophy.
He said information outside of the public domain that requires the hiring of an investigator should be off-limits.
“The idea that our politicians, including our premier, will be snooping around in each other’s secret business or private business, I think that just undermines the functioning of our democracy.”
Pallister said it was his obligation to research his opposition, and said when you become a public official, your life in on display.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.