Ewasko reprimanded in house over Kinew, Beach comments

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This article was published 29/05/2023 (864 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Education Minister Wayne Ewasko got a hard lesson in racial sensitivity from Speaker Myrna Driedger, who reprimanded the Tory MLA for concerning remarks made towards Opposition Leader Wab Kinew.

Driedger delivered a stern warning to Ewasko following question period Monday, while ruling on a matter of privilege raised by Union Station MLA Uzoma Asagwara in late April.

The NDP had complained Ewasko violated Kinew’s rights as an MLA, and the rights of others, when the minister likened the Opposition leader to famous, Manitoba-born actor Adam Beach.

During debate, Ewasko said Kinew stands in the chamber “on a day-to-day basis, pretending to be some kind of actor. He’s no Adam Beach.”

In the complaint, Asagwara alleged the comparison was drawn because the two men are Indigenous, and the comment would not have been made about a non-Indigenous member.

Kinew was singled out based on his race and the remark was an attempt to undermine statements made by Indigenous elected officials, Asagwara claimed.

While the complaint did not meet the conditions to be a matter of privilege, Driedger said she understands how Ewasko’s statement caused offence and triggered concerns about racialization.

“In my opinion, the minister’s comments were misguided and hurtful, but I do not believe they form the basis of a breach of privilege in this context,” the speaker said Monday, explaining statements made by lawmakers in the chamber enjoy “complete immunity from prosecution” and parliamentary privilege is absolute.

“This is not to say at all that I condone the minister’s comments,” said Driedger, Tory MLA for Roblin.

Freedom of speech requires great care and prudence when debating sensitive topics, Driedger said, and urged Ewasko and other MLAs to consider the impact of their comments in the chamber, including comments that could be considered racist.

“We should all be sensitive to the fact that our society’s history is crowded with examples of racialized remarks and actions causing great pain and hardship to many, many people,” Driedger said. “There is absolutely no need for any further such remarks being shared in this chamber.”

She went on to say Ewasko made matters worse when he would not apologize unequivocally and instead offered more “insensitive comments.”

Speaking to reporters after question period, Ewasko said there was no “ill intent” behind his remarks and apologized to Kinew “if he took it the wrong way.”

“Many people out there know who I am, what I stand for and my history in regards to (being) a longtime teacher — (it) definitely was not intended to offend,” he said.

When asked if he understood how he could have caused offense, despite his intentions, the education minister said the comparison wasn’t made based on race. Ewasko said it was unfortunate reporters were pressing him on the subject.

“I was comparing (Kinew) as a bad actor to a good actor, which is Adam Beach,” Ewasko said. “And I would ask anyone here to, off the top of your head, name a well-known Manitoba actor, not only in TV shows, but movies.

“There was definitely no intent in regards to any type of cultural background or racial slur or anything whatsoever in my comments.”

Kinew said he appreciated Driedger’s ruling and the concerns she shared with the education minister’s remarks.

“I hope kids in Manitoba when they grow up and become legislators don’t have to go through comments about who they are,” the Fort Rouge MLA said.

“And for the average person out there: you can’t make a comment about someone’s race in your workplace, so why should a minister of the Crown be held to any different standard?”

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca