ManitobaManitoba’s Official Opposition leader says the heat in the legislature has been cranked up by Premier Wab Kinew, who refuses to take accountability for his party’s failings.’I’m asking questions and we’re not getting answers’: Obby KhanDarren Bernhardt · CBC News · Posted: Oct 03, 2025 11:46 AM EDT | Last Updated: 42 minutes agoManitoba PC Leader Obby Khan spoke on Friday with CBC Information Radio host Marcy Markusa about heated exchanges in the legislature between him and Premier Wab Kinew. (CBC)Manitoba’s Official Opposition leader says the heat in the legislature has been cranked up by Premier Wab Kinew, who refuses to take accountability for his party’s failings.”Asking the premier tough questions is our job. Him refusing to answer [and calling] Manitobans goofballs, and for him to raise the temperature in the chamber, I think is completely wrong,” Obby Khan told CBC Manitoba Information Radio host Marcy Markusa on Friday.”I’m asking questions and we’re not getting answers.”Khan was responding to comments made by Kinew in question period Wednesday, and during an interview with Markusa on Thursday.The premier accused Khan of taking “a run” at Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, one day after her constituency office was set on fire.Khan had tabled copies of more than 450 emails he said his party has received from people who want Fontaine dropped from cabinet and demanded Kinew answer to those people “why he is keeping the minister in place.”While that was happening inside the Manitoba Legislature, a rally was being held outside to demand Kinew remove Fontaine from cabinet.Manitoba PC leader responds to premier’s ‘rage farming’ remarksOpposition Leader Obby Khan speaks to CBC’s Marcy Markusa to respond to Premier Wab Kinew’s comments accusing the PCs of “rage farming” and fuelling division in the Legislature. Kinew made the remarks after a fire at Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine’s constituency office, which he believes was a targeted act.Fontaine stirred up controversy in recent months by criticizing a sign-language interpreter who shared a stage with her at an event. Fontaine also came under criticism for reposting a social media message by someone who said they have no empathy for Charlie Kirk — the U.S. political activist shot dead at a public rally.Fontaine apologized in both instances.Kinew referred to the protesters as “goofballs” and suggested they’re taking their cue from Khan.”Their [PCs] tone is contributing to a degradation of unity in our society,” Kinew said, accusing Khan of “rage farming” by trying to capitalize on the violence against Fontaine and Bernadette Smith, whose office has had four fires over the past two months.”To me, there is … a responsibility not only on the part of those protesters to probably think twice about whether they should have held that event, but also on the PCs to raise this.”The timing of his question about Fontaine was unfortunate but unavoidable, Khan said. After being off for summer, politicians were finally back in the legislature for the fall session and “Manitobans want answers — why is he keeping her in cabinet?” Khan said.”When we see failures on crime or health care or a minister of families not doing her job and failing time after time after time, it’s our job to point it out,” he said. “I feel terrible for the minister and her office. Violence is never right … but debating and asking tough questions of this premier is our job.”Don’t add flames to it. Don’t call Manitobans goofballs for having the right to protest. The premier equated asking questions to violence and racism.”Khan also strongly disagreed with Kinew’s assertion the fires were likely set deliberately to target Indigenous women, noting the police investigation is ongoing.”I think it’s really irresponsible of the premier to go out and say that. It’s gaslighting,” Khan said.”This could have caused major negative ripple effects in society. If it’s found not to be then how do we take the premier at his word?”Manitoba premier condemns political violence but doesn’t regret ‘goofballs’ commentPremier Wab Kinew speaks about the fires and vandalism at the constituency offices of cabinet ministers Nahanni Fontaine and Bernadette Smith. At the the start of Wednesday’s session, Speaker of the House Tom Lindsey talked about poor decorum in the chamber, noting there were issues in the spring session.He warned MLAs to cut down on heckling and personal insults or face the risk of being kicked out of the chamber temporarily.”I feel that it is essential for this assembly to start a trend in the opposite direction toward civility and respect, and away from division and hate,” Lindsey said.On Friday, Khan said he “totally agrees,” but blamed Kinew as the one who “ramps up the dialogue in there.”Khan said he instituted a no-heckling policy for his party after being elected leader in April. Since then, the PCs have been called to order twice by the Speaker, compared to 35 times for the NDP.Kinew said he doesn’t intend to back down when his ministers are threatened.”[If you] try and take a political act of violence in our community and turn it around to some attempt to score points, yeah, I’m going to respond. I have two ministers of the Crown who are in tears,” he said Thursday.”I am not just the premier of Manitoba, I am the leader of a team. And if you come for one of us, you’re coming for all of us.”ABOUT THE AUTHORDarren Bernhardt has been with CBC Manitoba since 2009 and specializes in offbeat and local history stories. He is the author of two bestselling books: The Lesser Known: A History of Oddities from the Heart of the Continent, and Prairie Oddities: Punkinhead, Peculiar Gravity and More Lesser Known Histories.With files from The Canadian Press
PC leader accuses Manitoba premier of ‘gaslighting’ public, dodging questions
