NDP MLA Wasyliw defends himself

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This article was published 31/03/2023 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After coming under attack for “moonlighting” as a criminal defence lawyer, with online business ads the governing Progressive Conservatives called “objectionable,” NDP MLA Mark Wasyliw defended himself Thursday.

“They don’t want to talk about their record. They don’t want to actually debate the issues, because they know they’re on the wrong side of it,” Wasyliw (Fort Garry) said in a phone interview.

“So, what do they have left? They have Trump-style personal attacks on MLAs.”

The PC caucus issued a statement last week suggesting defence lawyers such as Wasyliw make society less safe when they advocate on behalf of accused persons.

The Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba responded, saying the Tory caucus “crossed the line” by attacking its members and the rule of law.

The Tories also took issue with advertising by Wasyliw’s Winnipeg-based law firm that included phrases such as “Drinking and driving is not against the law” and “Facing sexual assault charges in Winnipeg? We can help… we’ll fight to keep you out of jail.”

PC caucus chairman Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot) challenged the NDP to denounce the ads.

The spotlight on Wasyliw came as the government was under fire for a mass resignation of casual nurses from the sexual assault nurse examiner program at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.

Last week, Wasyliw did not speak to reporters about the Tories’ tirade. On Thursday, the NDP MLA responded to questions on the subject.

Wasyliw said his law firm’s online ads are designed by a marketing firm and managed by his law partner, and he regrets not paying closer attention to them.

Wasyliw said he hasn’t handled sexual assault cases in more than five years, and hadn’t read the website messaging in question.

“Obviously, when it became a distraction, my partner reviewed it and she didn’t like what was written and we pulled it off (the website) immediately,” said Wasyliw, whose law partner is Gerri Wiebe, president of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba.

“I certainly should’ve been aware of it, and that’s on me. I apologize if anyone was offended by that.”

As for the drinking and driving statement, Wasyliw defended it, saying it’s not illegal to go to a restaurant and have a glass of wine then drive home.

“That’s not illegal. You just can’t be over the legal limit and you can’t be impaired. That’s what the website is getting at,” he said.

“That nuance is lost on a lot of people. I can understand why they would be uncomfortable with it.”

As for the “moonlighting” allegation, Wasyliw said he is winding down his practice ahead of the 2023 election (on or before Oct. 3). However, he said, there is nothing wrong with MLAs practising law, farming or running a business — and many have always done so.

“I think the problem is the public doesn’t understand how we work,” Wasyliw said. “It’s not a 9-to-5 job. It’s not a Monday to Friday job. Most of our work as backbench MLAs — outside of the 60 days we’re at the legislature — is in the evening and on weekends.”

The Fort Garry MLA said he’s been absent from the legislature due to court work just once since he was elected in 2019. He said no Fort Garry constituents have complained about him continuing to practice law.

“I haven’t gotten one email or anything because of this,” Wasyliw said. “It’s a phony controversy. This was a political hit by the (Tories) who were trying to distract Manitobans.

“(Voters) can see this for it was: a desperate government backed into a corner and they’re flailing around… I’m not going to be the last person they do this to.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca