Manitoba premier to address removal of MLA from NDP caucus

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is set to speak to media Tuesday afternoon about a member of his NDP caucus who was given the boot.

Mark Wasyliw was removed from caucus, the party said, after it learned the Fort Garry MLA’s business partner is acting as a criminal defence lawyer for disgraced Winnipeg fashion designer Peter Nygard.

Wasyliw, however, told 680 CJOB’s The News on Monday that he no longer has any ties to the lawyer in question, or any connection whatsoever to the Nygard case. According to Wasyliw, the reason he was removed from caucus was because he stood up to Kinew, whom he characterized as an insecure leader.

University of Manitoba political science professor Chris Adams told 680 CJOB’s The Start that there’s been some tension between the two sides for some time.

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“(Wasyliw) publicly embarrassed the premier when the government’s cabinet was being announced at the swearing-in,” Adams said.

“He was the only one who didn’t shake (Kinew’s) hand…. He publicly complained about not being put in cabinet.

“That was taking the government and the NDP off their messaging for what should have been a good, happy day.”

1:39 Mark Wasyliw booted from Manitoba NDP caucus for business partner’s Nygard ties

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