Manitoba Independent legislator Mark Wasyliw has initiated legal action against Premier Wab Kinew and two other members of Kinew’s NDP government, alleging they falsely linked him with convicted criminal Peter Nygard to justify his expulsion from the party. Wasyliw, a former defense lawyer, filed a defamation lawsuit in Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench seeking a public apology and damages for remarks made by Kinew, MLA Billie Cross, and MLA Ian Bushie in September 2024 regarding his legal background.
The lawsuit also requests a court order to prevent Kinew, Cross, and Bushie from making any further statements that could harm Wasyliw’s business or reputation. The NDP caucus announced Wasyliw’s removal in September 2024, a decision that Wasyliw claims was unwarranted and sudden.
Wasyliw alleges that Kinew, Cross, and Bushie conspired to tarnish his reputation by falsely associating him with Nygard, aiming to diminish his political standing within the community. He specifically points to Kinew’s statement implying that Wasyliw lacked the values to be an NDP member and suggesting a negative connotation with being a defense lawyer.
The claim highlights remarks made by Kinew on September 17, 2024, where he stated, “You can be affiliated with the NDP or you can be affiliated with Peter Nygard, but you can’t do both.” Wasyliw also accuses Bushie and Cross of making damaging statements regarding his legal associations. As of now, no defense statement has been submitted, and the allegations remain unproven in court.
Wasyliw and Kinew’s office declined to comment on the matter. The legal dispute stems from Wasyliw’s connection to lawyer Gerri Wiebe, who represented Nygard in court, leading to Wasyliw’s expulsion from the NDP caucus. Kinew later apologized to defense lawyers for the situation, expressing regret over the circumstances that led to Wasyliw’s removal.