A former reporter from CTV and CBC, Richard Madan, was appointed by Wab Kinew’s NDP government to lead Manitoba’s trade office in Washington, D.C., at an annual salary of $387,000, as revealed by the premier’s office on Wednesday. Madan’s salary exceeds that of Kinew as Manitoba premier ($195,936) and Scott Gillingham as Winnipeg’s mayor ($223,338).
Hired in June, Madan’s role is to enhance Manitoba’s relationships with U.S. officials and industry leaders, safeguard the province’s interests in trade agreements, and boost trade opportunities, according to Kinew’s office. Kinew’s spokesperson, Ryan Stelter, praised Madan for his swift adaptation to the new position, leveraging his established network in the U.S. capital.
Since his appointment, Madan has engaged with Manitobans, assisted the agricultural sector in navigating new U.S. labeling regulations, addressed trade challenges like the Canadian mushroom investigation, and promoted Manitobans’ involvement in discussions on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement renegotiation, said Stelter.
Moreover, Madan has initiated plans for a Capitol Hill event to showcase Manitoba’s supply chains and contributions to Arctic defense to U.S. lawmakers. However, Opposition Leader Obby Khan criticized the appointment, labeling Madan as a “CBC buddy” of Kinew running a remote trade office in Washington for an annual budget of $800,000.
Khan expressed disbelief at Madan’s salary, emphasizing the need for tangible trade deals for Manitoba. Kinew defended the hire, highlighting Madan’s qualifications and connections crucial for representing Manitoba effectively. The premier’s office cited comparable salaries for trade representatives in other provinces, such as Ontario’s David Paterson.
Despite Khan’s objections, Kinew stood by the decision, emphasizing the importance of Madan’s role in advocating for Manitoba. Madan, with a background in journalism and extensive experience covering Washington, expressed readiness to facilitate valuable connections for Manitoba’s benefit. The disclosure of Madan’s salary followed a CBC News investigation into his compensation, which had been subject to a freedom-of-information request.
