Manitoba premier apologizes, discloses charter trip to Grey Cup to ethics commissioner

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew recently made headlines after disclosing that he had taken a Winnipeg Blue Bomber charter to the Grey Cup on two occasions. This revelation came after a CBC story raised questions about whether this trip violated the province’s conflict of interest laws. Kinew acknowledged his oversight and apologized for not disclosing the trips in 2023 and 2024.

According to the Conflict of Interest Act, any non-commercial flight must be approved by the ethics commissioner. Kinew explained that he believed since he had paid $8,000 out of pocket for four seats on the plane in 2023, he did not need to seek approval. However, after consulting with the ethics commissioner, he realized he should have disclosed the trips.

These new disclosures of private air travel have now been posted on the ethics commissioner’s website. When asked whether he thought he had broken any laws, Kinew did not provide a direct answer. He emphasized that he had paid for the flights himself and did not see the need to disclose them initially.

The premier’s trip to the Grey Cup in 2023 came to light through the disclosure of his staff expenses via freedom of information laws. It was revealed that while his assistant expensed the hotel to the government, his transportation was provided by the Blue Bombers.

In response to these revelations, Wayne Ewasko, the interim leader of the Opposition Progressive Conservatives, filed a complaint with the ethics commissioner. He stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in such matters. The complaint also highlighted delays in the government’s disclosure of information and inconsistent responses from the premier’s office.

If the commissioner finds that Kinew violated the law, he could face penalties such as reprimand, fines, suspension, or even the possibility of having his seat vacated. It is essential for elected officials to adhere to ethical standards and ensure full transparency in their actions to maintain public trust.