Manitoba Ethics Watchdog Blasts Former Premier Over Mining Project Pressure
WINNIPEG — Ethics Commissioner found former Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson along with two members of her Progressive Conservative Cabinet guilty of breaching the province’s conflict-of-interest legislation. The recommendation was for them to face fines as punishment. This decision came out on Wednesday.
In his 100-page report, Ethics Commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor stated that Stefanson, former Deputy Premier Cliff Cullen, and ex-Economic Development Minister Jeff Wharton engaged in misconduct by advocating for the approval of a silica sand mining initiative following the Progressive Conservatives’ defeat in the October 3, 2023, election against the New Democratic Party.
Even though they lost the election, the three Conservatives attempted to have the Sio Silica project approved before the incoming NDP administration, headed by Wab Kinew, took office, as Schnoor noted. These moves breached both the Conflict of Interest Act and the longstanding parliamentary guideline known as the caretaker convention, which prohibits departing administrations from undertaking significant policy changes.
“The caretaker convention is at the heart of our democratic system,” the report stated.
When a government fails to win an election, it signifies that the public has lost faith in them and they no longer have the authority to undertake any actions beyond sustaining current conditions until the incoming administration assumes power.
Schnoor suggests penalties of $18,000 for Stefanson, $12,000 for Cullen, and $10,000 for Wharton. However, the final say rests with the legislative assembly.
Schnoor stated that there was no indication the three politicians stood to gain financially if the project moved forward. However, their conduct was equivalent to unfairly promoting the interests of others.
In a written statement provided by her attorney on Wednesday, Stefanson mentioned that she discussed the project with the new NDP administration.
“There was no duty for me to act this way, yet I chose to contact the new administration and thoroughly took into account their perspectives prior to making a decision. My government did not grant a license to the applicant,” the statement said.
I did not make any decisions during the time prior to the swearing-in of the new NDP government with an aim other than advancing and safeguarding the public interest.
The Canadian Press couldn’t reach out to Cullen, who, similar to Stefanson, has stepped away from political life. According to reports, he informed Schnoor that his intentions were merely to gather information without exerting any pressure; however, this claim was refuted by other pieces of evidence mentioned in the document.
Wharton, the sole individual among the trio who continues to hold an elected position, did not appear at the legislative assembly on Wednesday. He issued an apology via a written statement later that same evening, explaining that his actions were related to an issue which had the potential to attract multi-billion dollar investments to the province.
“I never intended to violate any convention or parliamentary custom,” he stated in his writing.
I regret any actions of mine that did not meet the standards expected of me as a parliamentarian or my own ethical code.
The mining initiative would have resulted in numerous wells spanning 24 years throughout a significant portion of southeastern Manitoba, leading to job creation; however, only the first stage was under consideration for approval.
In February 2024, the NDP-led government dismissed the initiative, highlighting worries over possible effects on potable water along with several additional issues.
The potential conflict of interest became apparent when Rochelle Squires and Kevin Klein, who previously served as Tory cabinet ministers, mentioned that Wharton contacted them post-election and urged them to grant the project an environmental permit. Both stated they declined due to adherence to the caretaker convention. In response, Wharton refuted these claims during a media interview later that same year in December.
Kinew stated that the report is groundbreaking.
Kinew stated that the current premier was discovered to be acting unlawfully and lacked constitutional legitimacy.
I hope Manitobans, indeed all Canadians, consider this situation and recognize how disheartening it is when a government that has lost its authority attempts to exert itself one last time through unethical means.
Kinew stated that the legislature probably won’t make a decision regarding acceptance of Schnoor’s report and implementing the penalties until after their summer recess.
Obby Khan, a previous cabinet member during Stefanson’s tenure, who was elected as Tory leader earlier this year, mentioned that it’s essential to clarify what actions can be taken under the caretaker convention.
“I agree with the decisions made by the commissioner… Additionally, I believe that we should revise the caretaker convention to prevent similar issues from arising in the future,” he stated.
Klein, having lost his position in the election, urged Wharton to step down from his legislative role.
“There’s a distinction between serving the public and catering to political interests, and in this instance, that boundary was distinctly overstepped,” he stated.
Sio Silica stated in a release that the firm was not under investigation and did not engage in improper conduct. The company has reinstated its intentions for extracting silica sand in Manitoba.
The report from The Canadian Press was initially released on May 21, 2025.
Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press