Politics, money and respect for the dead

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This article was published 12/08/2023 (812 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“Wab Kinew said his government would ‘100 per cent’ support a search of the privately run Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, but he stopped short of offering funding commitments.” — Canadian Press, Aug. 9.

Many in Manitoba were hoping the search for the remains of two Indigenous murder victims would not be politicized.

The hope was this story could not become an election issue. But events, time and politics have conspired to bury the sentiment.

Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew may not be the most experienced politician in Manitoba. But this week, he was experienced enough to offer the right words to Indigenous groups and others who want the search to happen, without ever committing to an NDP government spending significant funds.

For those who have not been paying attention, it could cost up to $180 million to search the Prairie Green Landfill, north of Winnipeg, where it’s believed the bodies of two young Indigenous women were buried over 18 months ago.

To be fair to Manitoba’s opposition leader, it was not his choice to make this search an election issue.

After reviewing a report on what it would take to do the search, the Stefanson government made the decision to say no. They have been excoriated by the federal government, the families of the women, Indigenous groups and many others.

Kinew is responding to the government’s policy by saying that he would be more supportive of the families and try to find alternate ways of finding the remains. But he is not offering to spend the kind of public money it would take to do a thorough search. The politics are clear.

Every beating human heart in Manitoba would want the remains to receive a dignified burial. But every human pocketbook says this is not easy. The premier had the good taste to not declare that money lubricated the decision-making process. She said it was her concerns for the safety of workers who would be spending years on a site with hazardous wastes. Those concerns are valid.

But every political observer, when confronted with the possibility of spending $180 million with no guarantee of success, tends to have moments of deep reflection. If you’re not the decision-maker, there is nothing easier than offering unqualified support and to say that money can never be impediment to doing the right thing. But when you’re in the shoes of the CEO of the government, you tend never to hear yourself thinking along those lines. Money is always an impediment to doing many things that fit neatly in the category we casually call the right thing to do.

The decision by the premier not to commit to a search is politically risky.

The issue is tailor-made for political theatre.

That’s an area where Wab Kinew has formidable skills. On the debate stage he will confront the premier.

He may declare that she does not care about the two women or their families. He may point out that she did not meet with the families. He may say the premier doesn’t know the names of the murdered women or that if she does, she refuses to use them. He may use the names of the two women, frequently.

Kinew may say the decision not to search, more than other issue, shows Manitobans that there is no discernable difference between Brian Pallister and Stefanson. Kinew may ask the rhetorical question, Does any Manitoban doubt that if Pallister were premier, he would have made the exact same decision?

If the NDP leader is feeling particularly nasty, he may imply Stefanson consulted with Pallister before making the decision. There is zero evidence that she did. But in a political debate, evidence is always the first casualty.

Could Kinew be taking a risk by hammering the premier ? Absolutely.

If his tone isn’t nuanced and measured, he runs the risk of appearing to be abusive. If he wants to be a symbol of compassion for murdered women, he cannot look like he is bullying a woman on the debate stage, even if that woman happens to be the premier of Manitoba.

The political science on this election is decided. Voters in South Winnipeg are deciding the fate of the PC government.

If Kinew’s approach in the pre-election debate makes them develop sympathy for Stefanson, she wins the night and a fresh four-year mandate.

Charles Adler is a longtime political commenter and podcaster. charles@charlesadler.com