PCs Call on Ethics Commissioner to Investigate Kinew’s Private Air Travel
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba PC Caucus has submitted a formal request to Ethics Commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor calling for an investigation into Premier Wab Kinew’s private air travel.
The request follows media reports that Premier Kinew accepted privately chartered flights to the 2023 and 2024 Grey Cup games without prior approval or public disclosure by the ethics commissioner, as required by the Conflict of Interest Act.
“The rules are clear: the premier and his ministers are prohibited from accepting private air travel without prior approval and public disclosure,” said Riding Mountain MLA Greg Nesbitt, Chair of the PC Caucus. “There is no indication Premier Kinew followed these basic legal requirements.”
Premier Kinew’s frequent travel outside Manitoba is facing growing public scrutiny. In September 2024, he billed taxpayers more than $1,500 for travel expenses while participating in the BC NDP election campaign. According to CBC, Kinew has taken nine trips out of province between November 2023 to July 2024, costing Manitoba taxpayers over $180,000.
“Most Manitobans in their wildest dreams would never be offered a private jet, let alone be able to afford one, to attend an event like the Grey Cup,” said Wayne Ewasko, Leader of the Official Opposition. “Premier Kinew isn’t above the rules. He needs to respect the law and he needs to respect taxpayers.”
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For media inquiries, please contact PCCaucus_Media@leg.gov.mb.ca