Wayne Ewasko became the first MLA ejected from the Manitoba legislature in over two years for comments deemed racist towards Premier Wab Kinew. The Speaker of the House, Tom Lindsey, announced that Ewasko was removed after he failed to apologize for his remarks.
Key facts:
- Wayne Ewasko was ejected for failing to apologize for comments made to Premier Wab Kinew.
- The Speaker announced a ban on words like ‘bigot’, ‘homophobe’, ‘racist’, ‘misogynist’, and ‘transphobe’ in the chamber.
- Ewasko’s comments were labeled anti-Indigenous racism by NDP House leader Nahanni Fontaine.
- The Speaker warned that members could be ejected for using unparliamentary language.
- Ewasko suggested Kinew had been drinking, a statement Kinew called discriminatory.
- This incident marks Ewasko as the first politician to be ejected since 2021.
The new rules aim to restore decorum in the legislative chamber. Lindsey stated, “Members of the public are stopping me on the street and saying … what they’re seeing going on in this chamber is terrible, and they’re begging me to do something about it.” The Speaker has faced challenges in maintaining order due to excessive heckling and unparliamentary language during sessions.
Wab Kinew responded to Ewasko’s remarks, stating, “It is a discriminatory comment that plays on an ugly stereotype about Anishinaabe people.” Nahanni Fontaine added that such behavior should have consequences. She emphasized that if members engage in racism or similar behavior without repercussions, it undermines parliamentary privilege and decorum.
Ewasko did express regret, saying, “I unequivocally apologize for what I stated in the chamber, because it was not intended at all like the House leader had framed it.” However, his apology came too late to prevent his expulsion from the session.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding Indigenous issues within Manitoba’s legislative discussions. Observers note that maintaining respect and decorum will be crucial as the legislature continues its work amid public scrutiny.
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