Minister, NDP leader open to blowback over spat, observers say

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This article was published 14/04/2023 (922 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The public spat between a cabinet minister and the NDP leader could could backfire for both parties, political observers say, as voters grow tired of personal attacks and abuse in politics.

Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Obby Khan’s emotional account of a tense, allegedly profanity-laden, handshake with Wab Kinew may have scored points for the Progressive Conservatives, University of Manitoba political studies professor Royce Koop said.

However, Khan’s allegations have been roundly disputed by the NDP leader, leaving Manitobans in the undesirable position of having to judge the credibility of the two elected officials, he said.

“It’s one way or the other. One of them is not telling the truth,” Koop said. “People deserve better than to have to adjudicate these sort of ‘he said, she said’ situations.

“It’s this kind of squabbling that turns people off of politics. They don’t want to pay attention and they certainly don’t want to be involved in this kind of thing,” he said.

On Friday, Khan doubled-down on his version of events following a media event to promote street parties for the Winnipeg Jets’ playoff run.

Khan told reporters his recollection of the exchange is the truth but Manitobans can hear accounts from both men and decide for themselves.

“I would like a heartfelt apology from Wab,” the minister said. “He knows what happened between him and I.”

Kinew is accused of pulling Khan in during a handshake and uttering profanities and insults in the minister’s ear to express displeasure with comments Khan made at an NDP-sponsored event Thursday to mark the first official Turban Day.

Khan alleged the handshake concluded with a “physical shove” to his stomach.

Kinew disputed the former Winnipeg Blue Bomber’s version of events. He insisted he hadn’t used profanities in the exchange — which he admitted was tense — and there was no physical interaction beyond the handshake. NDP caucus members who attended the event say they support their leader’s version.

Speaker Myrna Driedger is considering the matter and will make a ruling on whether the interaction infringed on Khan’s rights as an MLA.

Premier Heather Stefanson had nothing to say about the issue Friday.

Koop said the accusations could shape voter perceptions in the fall election campaign. Manitobans are scheduled to go to the polls on Oct. 3.

Specifically, the accusation serves to dredge up Kinew’s past run-ins with law enforcement and allegations of domestic abuse from when he was in his early 20s, Koop said.

“It’s one of the weaknesses that Wab Kinew has,” he said.

Kinew was charged with two counts of domestic assault against his former common-law partner in 2003, but the charges were later stayed. He has denied the allegations while accepting responsibility for causing emotional harm.

He has also disclosed two order breaches, failure to provide a breath sample, and common assault. In 2016, Kinew received a full criminal record suspension.

In the past six months, the Tories have repeatedly highlighted the disclosures in question period to counter NDP attacks concerning candidates, conflicts of interest, and the premier’s wealth.

Koop said both the PCs and the NDP should be wary of using personal attacks, which tend to “blow up in your hand.”

Koop said both the PCs and the NDP should be wary of using personal attacks, which tend to “blow up in your hand.”

The latest flare-up marked a low point in Manitoba politics, he added.

“If it feels as if they’re reaching, people can push back against that,” Koop said.

Raymond Hébert, a political science professor emeritus at Université de Saint-Boniface, said it may be difficult for the Speaker to make a definitive ruling on the matter given the exchange occurred outside the chamber and no documentation of the exchange was provided.

“Even if she finds some fault, there are no real sanctions,” he said.

The matter of privilege raised by NDP health critic Uzoma Asagwara, who alleged Health Minister Audrey Gordon accused the Union Station MLA of bribing Health Sciences Centre nurses to quit, is another serious claim that needs to be addressed, Hébert said.

The alleged comment was not recorded in Hansard, the official record of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly. Gordon has declined to comment on what her office described as “hearsay over heckling.”

The Speaker has not yet delivered a ruling on the matter.

Hébert said recording what members say while heckling from their seats could help to address concerns over hearsay and encourage politicians to behave better.

Personal attacks just drive qualified Manitobans away from running for office, Hébert said.

Those who sign up should expect mudslinging, he added.

“It’s just not worth it in the eyes of many potential high-calibre candidates,” he said.

— with files from Chris Kitching

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca