Premier needles Tories in legislature after MLA quits caucus

A former Tory MLA who quit the party to sit as an independent dominated question period without saying a word at the Manitoba legislature Wednesday.

The Progressive Conservatives asked the government about education property tax increases and the opening of a drug consumption site — but those questions were batted away by Premier Wab Kinew, a day after Bob Lagassé quit the PC caucus.

The member for Dawson Trail told reporters Tuesday he quit, in part, because PC MLA Jeff Wharton (Red River North) was not ejected from caucus after the ethics commissioner ruled he violated the conflict of interest act in regard to the Sio Silica sand mine scandal.

In the chamber Wednesday, Lagassé was not in his regular seat with the Tories, instead off to the side.

“Will the leader of the Opposition listen to the member for Dawson Trail and kick the member for Red River North out of the PCs?” Kinew asked.

“He continues to sit in the caucus of the PCs (that) the member for Dawson Trail had the moral courage to walk out of. I can tell you if it was up to me, (Wharton) would have been long gone.”

After the Tories lost the election in October 2023, and before the NDP took power, three cabinet ministers tried to push the controversial sand mine project forward that the NDP had opposed.

Then-premier Heather Stefanson and her deputy premier, Cliff Cullen, as well as Wharton, who was economic development minister at the time, were found guilty of committing ethics violations because of their actions.

“The premier is again using distraction to not answer any of the questions,” Khan said after question period Wednesday.

PC finance critic Lauren Stone pressed the Kinew government to explain “massive” education property tax increases last year and more expected this year.

Khan told reporters that his opposition will continue to press the NDP government on affordability and issues that matter to Manitobans.

The PC leader defended Wharton, as well as his leadership.

“As far as I’m concerned the issue is resolved,” Khan said of Wharton, who was not in the chamber Wednesday. Wharton has apologized to Manitobans, accepted the ethics commissioner’s report on the Sio Silica affair and paid the $10,000 fine ordered by the legislative assembly, Khan said.

The Tory leader addressed another reason Lagassé cited for leaving the PC caucus: the hand gesture Khan made in the chamber in October, pretending to shoot himself in the head while Education Minister Tracy Schmidt was answering a question.

Lagassé, who has openly talked about his struggles with mental health, said he found it insensitive.

“It was childish, it was immature. I got caught up in the moment,” Khan said Wednesday.

“I apologized, I’ve learned … That issue was discussed with Bob a long time ago, numerous times, in a very amicable, respectful, positive way.”

Khan said he believed he last spoke with Lagassé in the legislature last week and “none of this was brought up.”

“If Bob thinks that going out and crossing to be an independent reflects the people of Dawson (Trail), then that’s his decision,” Khan said. “I know he was elected as a Progressive Conservative. I know that’s what the members in Dawson Trail voted for.”

Khan said the reaction to him as leader continues to be positive.

“I’ve heard from lots of people throughout the entire province, including people that live in Dawson Trail, about Bob’s decision to go independent. Every single one I heard from is supportive of me as leader and the direction the party is going,” said Khan.

Lagassé did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday about the response of constituents to his decision to sit as an independent.

Meanwhile, the PC caucus issued a news release Wednesday saying Lakeside MLA Trevor King has been acclaimed to run in the next provincial election that is due on or by Oct. 5, 2027.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca