
Manitoba Liberal wants ban on chamber talk about NDP leader’s criminal past
WINNIPEG — A Manitoba politician wants to ban members of the Tory government from discussing Opposition NDP Leader Wab Kinew’s criminal convictions and other brushes with the law inside the legislature.
Liberal legislature member Judy Klassen recently asked the Speaker to stop members of the Tory government from bringing up Kinew’s past during debates in the chamber. Klassen, who is Indigenous, said the government is perpetuating a stereotype of Aboriginal people.
“I am trying to build my people up. Madam Speaker, there are many within our communities who do have criminal backgrounds but have worked hard to turn their lives around,” Klassen said in the chamber earlier this month.
“To repeatedly bring up a person’s past issues with the legal system serves no end. It only tears someone down.”