Premier Wab Kinew says he intends to have a dialog with a Manitoba cupboard minister Friday after a controversial publish she shared on social media.
Though the publish has since been eliminated, Households Minister Nahanni Fontaine shared feedback on the taking pictures dying of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk which have raised eyebrows in Manitoba.
The publish describes Kirk, a polarizing determine in U.S. politics, as a “racist, xenophobic, transphobic, sexist white nationalist mouthpiece,” and says, “I prolong no sympathy for individuals like that.”
It then presents empathy towards Kirk’s younger youngsters and says, “might all of our kids develop as much as reside in a rustic that values their lives sufficient to take gun violence significantly.”
Fontaine has since posted an apology in an Instagram story, saying, “violence has no place in our democracy. Political debate is achieved with phrases and dialogue,” and inspiring empathy — even with these we don’t agree with.
Kinew — who publicly condemned Kirk’s killing after the information broke Wednesday — informed 680 CJOB’s The Begin that the feedback within the unique publish Fontaine shared fly within the face of his personal views on the topic.
“I’m listening to you learn the phrases, they usually’re horrible they usually run utterly in opposition to the ideas that I used to be sharing, which is that we now have to have empathy for different individuals in our society,” the premier mentioned.
“Our entire factor is meant to be compassion…. We’re all the time making the argument on the left that, no, you’ll be able to’t are available in and throw individuals on the hood of a cop automotive immediately, (you’ve) obtained to grasp the place they’re coming from … however anyone says they don’t agree with abortion or anyone says they need to have gun legal guidelines be much less restrictive … and now swiftly the compassion disappears? I don’t perceive that.”
Get breaking Nationwide information
For information impacting Canada and around the globe, join breaking information alerts delivered on to you once they occur.
Kinew mentioned Fontaine has been a detailed colleague within the legislature for a few years, and that he stood up for her this summer season throughout an unrelated controversy about feedback she made concerning a sign-language interpreter. He mentioned he couldn’t get into extra element, however supposed to talk along with her Friday.
Opposition MLA Kelvin Goertzen mentioned a dialog isn’t sufficient. He informed 680 CJOB’s Connecting Winnipeg that though he has additionally labored with Fontaine — on the opposite facet of the aisle — for a few years, he hopes the premier will ask for her resignation.
“I’ve served within the legislature for a very long time with Minister Fontaine,” he mentioned.
“I don’t consider I’ve ever referred to as for her resignation or for her to be faraway from a place — both in opposition or in cupboard — however I’m doing so in the present day.
“This isn’t only a political story, it’s a human story. It’s a couple of spouse who misplaced a husband, youngsters who’ve misplaced a father … for Minister Fontaine to not perceive that and see that first is each regarding and likewise extraordinarily disappointing.”
Goertzen mentioned he interpreted the social media publish as attempting to “normalize or justify” Kirk’s homicide — one thing he feels doesn’t replicate the temperament of a minister of the Crown.
“Mr. Kinew has to display, if he actually believes in ‘one Manitoba’ like he says he believes in ‘one Manitoba,’ that the minister must be faraway from cupboard.”
Goertzen mentioned he’s seen a shift in politics during the last 20 years, changing into rather more private and divisive than ever earlier than.
World Winnipeg reached out to Fontaine’s workplace for an interview however the request was denied.
© 2025 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
