US EditionManitoba premier cleared after accepting flights to Grey Cup games: investigation
Manitoba's ethics commissioner ruled Premier Kinew did not violate the Conflict of Interest Act after paying market value for private flights to Grey Cup games in 2023 and 2024.
- Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was cleared in August 2025 after an ethics investigation into flights he took with Winnipeg's football team to two Grey Cup games in 2023 and 2024.
- The inquiry was initiated following demands from the Opposition Progressive Conservatives, who contended that accepting private charter flights contravened the newly implemented Conflict of Interest legislation that took effect in October 2023.
- Ethics commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor concluded that Kinew purchased his seats on the private charters at a price equivalent to that paid by other passengers, and therefore did not violate the travel rules requiring prior approval and disclosure under the act.
- Kinew covered the full cost himself for trips to the 2023 Grey Cup in Hamilton, paying $1,100, and the 2024 finals in Vancouver, paying $650, later apologizing in March for failing to disclose these travels as he believed reporting was unnecessary since he paid personally.
- The ruling implies that members who pay full value for private travel are exempt from disclosure, but it highlights legal complexities and reinforces that approval and alternative travel considerations remain mandatory under the law.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Probe clears Manitoba premier for accepting flights to Grey Cup games
WINNIPEG -- Manitoba's ethics commissioner has cleared Premier Wab Kinew of any wrongdoing after he accepted and paid for private travel with Winnipeg's professional football team to go to two Grey Cup games.
Manitoba premier cleared after accepting flights to Grey Cup games: investigation - Winnipeg
Manitoba's ethics commissioner has cleared Premier Wab Kinew of any wrongdoing after he accepted and paid for private travel with Winnipeg's football team to go to Grey Cup games.
Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba premier cleared after accepting flights to Grey Cup games: investigation
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
As a reminder, this investigation was initiated following an application by Mount Riding MP Greg Nesbitt on March 24, 2025. The application was based on a section of CBC Manitoba alleging that Wab Kinew had travelled on charter flights of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and that he had not obtained the prior approval of the Ethics Commissioner or filed a post-travel disclosure, as required by section 8 of the Act. It is primarily the interpretation of…
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