Manitoba premier defends decision to boot MLA, denies bullying claims

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 his firm represented convicted sex offender Peter Nygard. Kinew says the NDP caucus told Wasyliw that in order to continue his work as the legislature member for Fort Garry he would have to give up working at his law firm. The premier says Wasyliw declined.

Kinew says individuals have a right to be defended, but a sitting MLA shouldn’t be doing that. After Wasyliw was kicked out of caucus Monday, he fired back and accused Kinew of being a micromanaging bully. He said he believes he was removed from caucus because he has butted heads with the premier on some issues.



Kinew says he has never bullied anyone on the job or yelled at any of his staff. The Opposition Progressive Conservatives are calling for a third-party investigation into the bullying allegation..