Manitoba Independent MLA and defence lawyer Mark Wasyliw is suing Premier Wab Kinew and two other NDP legislature members alleging they intentionally linked him to convicted sex offender Peter Nygard to justify expelling him from the party.
Wasyliw was removed from caucus in September 2024 after the party learned he was an associate at Gindin Wiebe Segal Law, the law firm representing disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard.
The Fort Garry MLA is now seeking a published apology and damages from Kinew, as well as MLAs Billie Cross and Ian Bushie, for comments they made “in or around” that time regarding his work as a defence attorney.
Kinew announced the decision to remove Wasyliw from caucus during a September 2024 press conference.
“You can be affiliated with our government team, the people making political decisions in Manitoba, or you can be affiliated with Peter Nygard,” the premier said. “But you can’t do both.”
Nygard, the founder of a fashion empire in Winnipeg, received an 11-year prison sentence earlier that month for the sexual assault of four women at the headquarters of his company in Toronto. The 83-year-old also faced charges in Quebec and the United States.
Cross, the legislative member for Seine River, and cabinet minister Bushie expressed their support for the decision to dismiss Wasyliw during a Sept. 19 press conference.
“I was part of the decision to remove Mr. Wasyliw from caucus, and I wholeheartedly stand behind that decision,” Bushie said at the time.
Wasyliw, in a legal claim, alleges that Kinew, Cross, and Bushie defamed him with false statements and said his reputation and character were harmed when they publicly linked him to Nygard.
The now-independent MLA, who was first elected in 2019, argues Kinew’s explanation for booting him out of caucus implied Wasyliw “does not possess the requisite values to be an NDP member” and that “there is something unseemly or immoral about being a defence lawyer.”
“The plaintiff states that Kinew … has consequently employed language that is defamatory, untrue, and is of a nature that puts the plaintiff’s reputation, standing, and perception by others in jeopardy,” the statement of claim reads.
The lawsuit further claims that Cross defamed Wasyliw by saying he had been abusive to colleagues in raising his voice. It claims that Bushie defamed Wasyliw by stating that he had exhibited deceitful and disrespectful behaviour.
Wasyliw also alleges the remarks of all three parties were made to “reduce his political standing in the community.”
The statement of claim’s allegations have not been tested in court and none of the defendants have filed responses.
Past Relationship
Kinew and Wasyliw may have had a tense relationship prior to Wasyliw being expelled from caucus.Wasyliw didn’t shake hands with the new premier after being sworn into office in October of 2023. Other caucus members shook Kinew’s hand, hugged him, or offered a fist bump.
Kinew also objected to Wasyliw continuing to work as a lawyer while serving in the legislature, saying elected officials should focus on serving the public.
Wasyliw accused Kinew shortly after he was removed from caucus of lunging at him and yanking his arm during an election campaign event five years earlier.
Kinew, who was criticized by law associations across the country for his comments and expulsion of Wasyliw, publicly apologized to defence lawyers while speaking in the Manitoba Legislature in October 2024. He said he had also apologized personally to Gerri Wiebe, the lawyer who had represented Nygard.
“The reasons given for the expulsion of one of our former MLAs were accurate. However, upon reflection, my desire for transparency to the people of Manitoba should have been outweighed by my deep respect for the independence of the justice system,” Kinew said.
“All that I should have said publicly is that there are irreconcilable differences with that [legislature member] and we wish him well.”
