A Manitoba New Democrat has been removed from the government caucus and is firing back at Premier Wab Kinew.
The NDP has removed Mark Wasyliw — a lawyer — from caucus, saying his business partner is a defence lawyer for convicted sex offender Peter Nygard.
Caucus chair Mike Moyes says Wasyliw has failed to demonstrate good judgment and does not align with caucus principles of respect and trust.
Wasyliw says he thinks he has been turfed because he spoke his mind within caucus.
He says Kinew is a bully who doesn't listen to others and has created a toxic environment.
Wasyliw says he will continue to sit in the legislature as an Independent and to speak for constituents who feel the NDP has strayed from its traditional values.
"Wab Kinew is a toxic and dysfunctional leader," Wasyliw said in an interview Monday.
"It's not a collaborative environment. It's sort of Wab telling people what to do and then being horrible to them when it's not done perfectly."
The NDP defended Wasyliw in 2019, when the Progressive Conservatives criticized him for representing impaired drivers. At the time, the NDP caucus said defence lawyers play an important role in ensuring the constitutional rights of Canadians to a fair trial.
Nygard, who founded a fashion empire in Winnipeg, was sentenced earlier this month to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting four women at his company's headquarters in Toronto.
The 83-year-old continues to face charges in Manitoba, Quebec and the United States.
Wasyliw said he doesn't believe he was kicked out because of his link to Nygard's defence team.
"What this is about is that I'm one of the few people in that (legislative) building that would not be bullied by Wab ... and Wab cannot handle that."
Kinew, who was in Minnesota on Monday, was not immediately available to comment.
Wasyliw, the legislature member for the Fort Garry seat in Winnipeg, was first elected in 2019. Before the NDP formed government in 2023, Wasyliw served as the party's finance critic.
There were possible signs of tension between Wasyliw and Kinew last fall. Wasyliw didn't shake hands with the new premier after being sworn into office. Other caucus members shook Kinew's hand, hugged or offered a fist bump.
Wasyliw accused Kinew on Monday of being a one-man show.
"He controls all the decisions at the legislature. Nobody has any agency. All the decisions are his," Wasyliw said.
"He gets an idea in his head ... and he goes ahead with it no matter what the damage. And I don't want to be part of that, frankly."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.