MLA: Kinew’s side hustles akin to practising law

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This article was published 27/10/2023 (722 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Embattled MLA Mark Wasyliw is defending his plan to ramp up his law practice even though his boss, Premier Wab Kinew, believes he already has a full-time job representing his Fort Garry constituents.

In a letter responding to residents expressing disappointment in his decision obtained by the Free Press, the twice-elected member of the NDP caucus defends himself, saying his role as a backbencher requires him to be in the house only 60 days a year and that Kinew managed to author two books while serving as leader of the official Opposition.

Wasyliw, a criminal defence lawyer, former Winnipeg School Division chairman and a prominent critic while the NDP was in opposition, was passed over for a cabinet appointment after the Kinew-led party ousted the Tories in the Oct. 3 election.

At Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, Wasyliw was the only MLA who didn’t acknowledge the premier after taking the oath of office. In an interview after the ceremony, he told the Free Press he was disappointed at being left out of cabinet but, as a result, would have more time to take on more cases at his law firm while continuing to serve the people of Fort Garry.

In an email responding to constituents who wrote to Wasyliw expressing disappointment in him, the MLA offers “context” — telling them that his workload as a back-bench MLA is very different from a cabinet minister “which is a full-time job.”

He tells constituents that the legislature sits 60 days a year, and when it is in session he is “present and active in my role.”

The number of sitting days, in fact, varies. From 2012 to 2022, there were an average of 79 sitting days per year, according to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

“There is no meaningful role for back-bench MLAs in the legislative process outside of that period,” Wasyliw wrote. “We meet with stakeholders and attend community events. Our main job is to stay connected with our communities and to bring back what we hear to our caucuses.”

The NDP caucus issued a statement Thursday saying, “We believe all MLAs must understand that public service is more than a full-time job. As a team, we are committed to making life better for Manitobans and each MLA has a role to play in achieving that goal, no matter where their seat is in the legislature,” it said.

Wasyliw’s response to constituents appears to be at odds with his NDP caucus.

“It is not a 9-to-5 job and we are not sitting behind desks during the period that we are not at the (legislature),” he wrote.

Most of the work Wasyliw does outside of the sitting days occurs on evenings and weekends, he noted.

“That’s when I am attending community events and meeting with constituents. That will not change.”

He tells the constituents that he’s not the only MLA who has had a day job.

“My own leader has written two novels while sitting as the Leader of the Official Opposition,” Wasyliw wrote.

Kinew authored two books: Go Show the World, an illustrated children’s book about Indigenous heroes over time, and The Reason You Walk, a memoir about repairing his relationship with his father before he died.

“There are numerous professionals and small-business owners who keep active businesses operating while working at the legislature. Given the odd schedule and off-hour commitments this can be done,” he wrote in the letter, noting he prides himself on his work ethic and will continue to be “one of the hardest working MLAs in the legislature.”

Neither Kinew nor Wasyliw responded Friday to a request for comment about the letter.

Earlier in the day, at an unrelated event, Kinew was asked if he told Wasyliw to wind down his law practice. “I’ve made my comments on the matter,” he told reporters.

The premier has indicated members of his caucus are expected to work full time as MLAs.

When asked if he’s addressed the issue with Wasyliw, and if there is unity in the NDP caucus or there’s been a falling out, Kinew said, “We are one big happy family.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca