A routine estimates committee meeting in the Manitoba Legislature on May 21 spiraled into a bitter exchange between Premier Wab Kinew and Progressive Conservative leader Obby Khan, marked by personal insults and accusations that political observers say underscore the deep division between the province’s governing NDP and opposition Tories.
The verbal confrontation included Kinew calling Khan a “joke” and mocking him for emotional moments, while Khan repeatedly labeled Kinew a “bully” and criticized his past legal record. The shouting match took place in a committee setting usually reserved for detailed policy discussion, where media attention is minimal and the Speaker of the House—tasked with maintaining order—is absent.
Experts including Christopher Adams and Paul Thomas of the University of Manitoba condemned the behavior as damaging to public trust and political civility. Adams highlighted the “deep-seated antagonism” between the leaders, noting that such hostile exchanges turn citizens away from politics and weaken democratic processes.
The tension between Kinew and Khan is longstanding, stemming from a 2023 legislature confrontation caught on security video, where Khan alleges Kinew swore and shoved him, while Kinew described the incident as a “tense verbal exchange.” Neither leader congratulated the other upon their recent ascensions to their current leadership roles, deepening the divide.
The recent dispute saw Khan accuse the premier of harming Manitoba’s economy and deriding his leadership style, while Kinew interrupted frequently, calling Khan a liar and demanding he “call me dad,” among other taunts. Khan also disparaged Kinew’s chief of staff, reframing a previous compliment as an insult.
Observers warn this ongoing hostility between Manitoba’s top politicians not only stifles constructive debate but also hampers legislative work, such as forming an all-party committee on local journalism. Khan admitted he could have behaved better but blamed Kinew for instigating the confrontation.
Attempts by CBC News to interview Premier Kinew about the incident were declined, with his office citing other priorities including a provincewide wildfire emergency.
Swifteradio.com
