The Manitoba Legislative Assembly is set to vote on fines recommended by the provincial ethics commissioner for former Premier Heather Stefanson and two Progressive Conservative cabinet members. This follows a ruling in May by ethics commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor that found Stefanson, former deputy premier Cliff Cullen, and former economic development minister Jeff Wharton violated conflict-of-interest laws by advocating for a sand-extraction license for Sio Silica, an Alberta mining company, after losing the election to the NDP in October 2023.
Despite no evidence of personal financial gain, Schnoor concluded that their actions breached Manitoba’s Conflict of Interest Act and the caretaker convention, which prohibits outgoing governments from making significant decisions before the new government takes office. The recommended fines are $18,000 for Stefanson, $12,000 for Cullen, and $10,000 for Wharton.
The legislative assembly will decide on imposing the fines by Tuesday. Both the PCs and NDP have engaged in blame games over delays in the vote. PC Leader Obby Khan accused the NDP of postponing the debate before the summer break, while Premier Wab Kinew argued that the PCs used procedural tactics to stall the vote upon resuming legislative sessions.
Tensions escalated as the NDP attempted to portray the PCs as corrupt through repetitive statements in the chamber, with Education Minister Tracy Schmidt even trying to summon Stefanson to discuss the Sio Silica issue, a request ruled out of order by Speaker Tom Lindsey. The PCs, on the other hand, implied that the NDP was prolonging the debate to leverage Schnoor’s findings against them.
Acknowledging the findings, Khan stated that Wharton would pay his fine personally if imposed, emphasizing the need to move forward. As the political theatrics wind down, both parties are gearing up for a vote that may extend into Tuesday evening. Government house leader Nahanni Fontaine of the NDP is making arrangements for members’ meals and childcare needs in preparation for the crucial vote.
