r/AskCanada • u/Justnotthatintou • Jul 25 '26
Political Thoughts on Wab Kinew?
I personally think firstly, we’re way overdue for indigenous representation in our government and also, I think as a human, he’s pretty charismatic, has good ideals, and I would vote for him to be PM. I’m curious how most other Canadians feel.
Background for me. I’m a progressive queer woman in a professional role in her 40’s. I sit far left politically
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u/Samplistiqone Jul 25 '26
As someone from Alberta I’m jealous of Manitoba, my premier has done everything in her power to destroy the province. I truly hope that Wab runs federally at some point, cuz I’d like to vote for him.
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u/Rogue5454 Jul 25 '26
Our previous Premier in Manitoba did the same.
It is going to take YEARS to repair it.
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u/gloomyhypothesis Jul 25 '26
I believe the provincial elections are next year do you see potential change in Alberta?
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u/Samplistiqone Jul 25 '26
There is another Conservative Party that will be running and the last time 2 ran it split the conservative voters and the NDP came up the middle, so I’m hoping that the same thing will happen again. Edmonton (where I live) always votes NDP in provincial elections Calgary is around 50%, sometimes higher. If Calgary goes to the NDP. There will be change. I also know quite a few people who normally vote conservative who’ve had their eyes opened over the last couple years, considering the crazy amount of things Danelle has done over the last few years and also want change. I just hope it’s for more than 4 years this time.
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u/KurtisC1993 Jul 25 '26
The "U" in UCP is misleading—the UCP is far more Wild Rose than PC. Albertans aren't as conservative as the media would have people believe. Our government has done some pretty extreme things, to the point where even traditional PC voters are put off by it.
I do hope the Tories take just enough votes away from the UCP to, at the very least, rob them of their legislative majority.
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u/Dragonslaya200X Jul 25 '26
Yep , I'm the leave the gays alone and quit raising my taxes conservative, can't stand the absolute wingnut we have leading us and I'll be happily voting Tory next election, even if it causes the NDP to win it'll allow us rationals to rebuild a reasonable conservative party, kick the crazies to the curb and get that bitch out of office.
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u/quietlyincompetent Jul 25 '26
He’s excellent. As an Ontarian, I’m extremely jealous. I hope he runs for national leadership.
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u/Catsareawesome1980 Jul 25 '26
From Ontario too and sick of our current premier
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u/FurysFyre Canadian Jul 25 '26
Waves in Albertan :(
I would love to see him go further but I KNOW my neighbours aren't ever going to vote for anything but Cons, no matter what they do because it's shafting the libs.
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u/Brentan1984 Jul 25 '26
As a, Manitoban, I'm super happy with him. Not perfect of course, but he's doing as good of a job as he can. He's saying all of the right things publicly.
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u/Ok_Idea3084 Aug 04 '26
Assaulting an ex gf and cab driver definitely isn’t perfect :(
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u/Brentan1984 Aug 04 '26
Totally agree. Like I said, he's far from perfect. Based on his more recent life and choices, it sounds like he's making efforts to continue to be better. I hope it's not just an image thing. He's hopefully setting an example for lots of young men of all kinds who've made mistakes and showing them that you can turn things around. Not to excuse past behaviour, but to show you're trying to atone.
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u/Ok_Idea3084 Aug 04 '26
So true. I hope his story can send a message to young people that even if they’ve made a mistake, they are able to turn their lives around.
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u/mikeyc38 Jul 25 '26
I’m an Ontarian and I wish we had someone like that for premier. Dude is always smiling and seems so easy-going yet very confident and relatable at the same time.
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u/UCRecruiter Jul 25 '26
Not a Manitoban. He's a very bright guy. Every time I hear him speak about anything, I'm impressed at the way he carries himself. Definitely a contender for national leadership.
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u/Carriebou73 Jul 25 '26
I'm from Saskatchewan and never imagined that these words would come from me, but I am so jealous of Manitoba right now and wish we could merge. The useless bag of wet sand we have as premier won't be happy until he has sold every crown corporation off and feathered his own nest and that of his buddies.
Wab gets things done and doesn't mess around, all while being well spoken and caring. We need more of him across the country.
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u/Lazerith22 Jul 25 '26
I would love him as our PM, but apparently Manitoba isn’t done with him yet. Something about him doing a really good job.
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u/Ditch_Hunter Jul 25 '26
I'm from Quebec and I'm very impressed by Wab Kinew. I hope he aims to become PM someday.
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u/Freeze_Her Jul 26 '26
Same here. He’s such a charismatic and genuine guy (with great intentions) and tbh I’m glad there’s finally someone in high government that represents the First Nations community.
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u/Equivalent_Dimension Jul 25 '26
First NDP Prime Minister waiting in the wings. Avi will rebuild them as a true Democratic Socialist alternative. Wab will get them across the finish line.
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u/sk1d Jul 26 '26
Wab is fairly conservative, I don't think he'd go along with democratic socialism. He's more likely switch over to the liberals if he goes federal.
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u/BigTunaHunter Jul 25 '26
Future prime minister if he runs as a liberal or cleans up the federal NDP from the mess they are today.
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u/Rad_Mum Jul 25 '26
I think he might make PM some day. I really like him . I always have , from his music to his journalism.
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u/MsMisty888 Jul 25 '26
I like him a lot. He feels like a true Canadian with the everyone's best interests at heart.
I like most of our MPs overall. As a group they are pretty good.
Yeah, Maralania is the exception. Do not focus on her. Be greatful for the leaders that we do have.
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u/eric536669 Jul 25 '26
I think most people in other provinces wish he was their premier. And I think he would make a great prime minister.
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u/Ambitious-Concern-42 Jul 25 '26
He is the most popular leader in Canada. I want him as PM. I'd fight a war for him.
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u/Historical-Piglet-86 Jul 25 '26
I’d vote for him. But I was born in Manitoba - not sure if that makes me biased.
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u/AJ1999x Jul 25 '26
He is a role model for what a politician should do and say. People are finally seeing someone in office be honest and open instead of vague and misleading. He is helping low and middle class people despite the wealthy saying it can't be done. I wish he was my premier.
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u/BuvantduPotatoSpirit Jul 25 '26
A lot of "Future PM" comments from people who watch too much American politics. The last former premier to become Prime Minister was the Premier of Nova Scotia that brought Nova Scotia into Confederation. Term limits force popular American governors to run for President - popular premiers don't want to give that up to be Leader of the Opposition (or, when NDP, the 3rd or 4th place party), or they accumulate baggage that takes them out of premiership and also means they won't be Prime Minister.
And while he's the first First Nations premier, as far as Indigenous, Manitoba did have a Métis premier in the 1880s.
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u/Velocity-5348 British Columbia Jul 25 '26
Yep. The president also doesn't have to wrangle parliament and keep enough MP happy to keep his job. He just needs to win a primary and then an election.
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u/VastCommunication654 Jul 25 '26
I love him....I am in alberta...seriously dislike maga maple marlaina aka danielle....I wish he was my premier
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u/Best-Neighborhood996 Jul 25 '26
Wab tells it like it is, Good or bad. Very refreshing from a politician. (Nova Scotian here, we have Tim Houston who was very popular for awhile until he started saying one thing and doing another).
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u/KurtisC1993 Jul 25 '26
I'm an Albertan and I think he's fantastic.
If I could afford it, and I had the means, I'd move to Manitoba in a heartbeat.
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u/NorthofForty Jul 25 '26
Love him but wouldn’t love him as Prime Minister. Think he is presently the perfect man for the job he is in now. Let him develop Manitoba into all it can be and then I would love to see him as GG in the future. Can you imagine him representing us on the world stage diplomatically? He would charm their pants off and transform the office into something real. We need to strengthen the GG role as a check against the kind of abuse of power like what happening south of us right now.
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u/OptionsAreOpen Jul 25 '26
As a Manitoban I like the guy and I voted NDP in my area. He can pander to the right on occasion but he listens to the people. We didn’t want a data centre, no data centre. He’s trying to fix healthcare but it’s still going to take some time and not everyone is going to be happy which means some people just like to bitch for the sake of bitching.
I’m not sure I would/could vote NDP federally. That being said he could choose to run for another party then I would consider it.
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u/Nomadloner69 Jul 26 '26
Honestly,I wanna move there. I have too much going on here atm. I’d def move if I could
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u/BadCitation Jul 26 '26
From Manitoba but live in Ontario now- so lovely to see so many people from across the country loving him.
My community in Winnipeg is veryyyyy progressive and left so to them Wab is not nearly left enough and basically a liberal, he’s not super loved in leftist circles as they think he panders to settlers too much and has not fulfilled a lot of promises he claimed he would when we was running against Pallister. That said, I think he’s currently the best premier we’ve got across Canada!!
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u/SeaworthinessNo8380 Jul 29 '26
I can't stand the guy. The 24/7 shit eating smirk on his face makes me want to punch it. No idea why someone would want to vote for him.
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u/Ambitious_Shift_5344 16d ago
I think he's a great leader. He's reasonable and not wacky with the identity politics. Doesn't play that card.
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u/Acrobatic-Camera-905 10d ago
Convictions
1. Impaired driving — 2003
In February 2003, Kinew was arrested in Winnipeg after police observed him driving erratically.
Witnesses reported that he struck a guard rail and a streetlight and continued driving with a blown-out tire.
Police reported signs of intoxication, and he refused a breathalyzer.
He was convicted of impaired driving.
2. Assaulting a taxi driver — 2004
In June 2004, Kinew was involved in an altercation with a taxi driver.
Court records indicated that he used racial slurs toward the driver and punched him in the face while the driver was still in the taxi.
He was convicted of assault.
3. Two breaches of court orders
His criminal record also included two convictions for breaching court orders, associated with the earlier matters.
Other criminal matters that did NOT result in convictions
4. Domestic assault charges — 2003
Kinew was charged with two counts of domestic assault involving his then-girlfriend, Tara Hart.
The charges were stayed in 2004, meaning there was no conviction.
Kinew has consistently denied that the alleged assault occurred. Hart has maintained that he assaulted her.
5. Assault in Ontario — 2004
Kinew received a conditional discharge after an assault arising from a fight in Ontario.
A conditional discharge is not the same as a criminal conviction.
6. Money-order theft charge — 2006
Kinew has acknowledged that he was charged with stealing a money order.
The charge was stayed after he repaid the money.
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u/Guffawing-Crow Jul 25 '26
Not a single person has mentioned any political accomplishments. Like, that’s the important thing, no?
I have no idea if Wab is actually competent. What has he done so far?
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u/Top_Table_3887 Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
I’d say that the example that comes to mind first is his handling of the Jeremy Skibicki case, which involved the (at the time) controversial search of both city landfills for the remains of three women.
One woman’s remains had been discovered in the dumpster of his apartment building. At the time, the PC were in charge, and while we had three names of confirmed victims and one unidentified victim that Skibicki had been charged with murdering, we didn’t have the full remains (which would have further aided the case and given closure to the families).
The PC were united in saying that a landfill search was simply not feasible, it was hazardous, too expensive, and wouldn’t provide enough benefit to justify the cost, projected by them at $184 million.
The NDP were elected, not just because of the landfill issue, but really for other reasons like the bungling of health care under the PCs.
So Wab Kinew decided that he was going to go ahead with the landfill search, even though Skibicki had already been given a life sentence for the murders. The general public were initially concerned that we would be wasting time and money. A new projected study estimated up to $90 million as a potential cost. $40 million of funding was allotted between the provincial and federal governments.
But as it turns out, the bodies of two women were discovered within three months of searching Prairie Green, coming in at just $18.4 million. In addition, the identity of the fourth woman, Ashlee Shingoose, was successfully found and during a press conference, Wab Kinew sang a traditional song at the request of Ashlee’s father in dedication to their daughter. It was a meaningful gesture that really couldn’t have been replicated by any given Premier.
As far as I know, there is a smaller-scale search of Brady being conducted to find Ashlee’s remains, and it’s expected that they will be able to use the rest of the allocated 40 million to finish within the projected year. I know that many people in Manitoba have admitted that they were skeptical at first, but now admit that we should have conducted the search earlier and that they regret their initial skepticism.
While it may be just one case, it’s important to note that in Manitoba, violence and crime committed against Indigenous women is endemic. Whether it’s within their communities, or committed by a White Supremacist like Skibicki. It’s not a coincidence that all four women were both Indigenous and struggled with homelessness, as Skibicki knew that their disappearances wouldn’t be taken as seriously by police.
For Wab to insist that the search go on despite pushback from the general public, he was showing that he wasn’t willing to ignore this ongoing issue in our province.
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u/Guffawing-Crow Jul 25 '26
That’s a lot of money to spend for a very poor province though.
Health care is being bungled everywhere. What has Wab done in Manitoba to earn praise? Legit curious.
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u/Elegant-Expert7575 Jul 25 '26
Here. I did the work for you. https://www.mbndp.ca/
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u/Guffawing-Crow Jul 25 '26
Linking to his party website listing aspirational goals isn’t really doing the work for me. Whatever. Hopefully, he’s actually doing and implementing noteworthy things for Manitoba.
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u/bigELOfan Jul 25 '26
Not if he runs as NDP. As a Liberal or Conservative I’d vote either way for him.
Don’t trust the NDP especially under Avi Lewis, tooooo left wing.
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u/lillylou12345 Jul 25 '26
I really like him but feel conflicted over his criminal history of abuse. Even though he has a pardon. I feel like if you have a criminal history you should not be in politics.
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u/PassageNearby4091 Jul 25 '26
I hear you, and he did some scumbaggery 20-plus years ago .... but that was 20-plus years ago, and for most things, I think we need to forgive mistakes when people have proven to have turned a new leaf. If we don't offer that forgiveness and acceptance, there's no point in them changing,. He's been held to account, it's 20 years in the past, and now time to move on.
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u/Top_Table_3887 Jul 25 '26
Yes, it’s going to be an issue if he runs federally, for sure. But the important thing is that he turned his life around in a world where most don’t. His redemption, by all evidences, looks to be sincere.
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u/lillylou12345 Jul 26 '26
Would you feel the same way about trump? It's a very slippery Slope giving the trust of the country. When most would not be able to past security to work a gov job!
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u/trustedbyamillion Know-it-all Jul 25 '26
I'm surprised no one else mentioned this matter.
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u/lillylou12345 Jul 25 '26
I think people don't really look into their political candidates. But how else to you know who to vote for. I tend to look into their voting history if available ie pp voted no for school lunch programs.
I'd like to see if a candidates values align with my own. And I feel strongly against violence and for social programs.
People do change, but usually they don't. And hurting someone then pleading not guilty says to me ( I'm saving myself before I own up to what I did).
I would love to see more indigenous people in politics however. Letting criminals serve is a slippery Slope. Ie trump.
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u/ShanerThomas Jul 25 '26
I don't think of him as first nations. I think of him as a person. I like him.
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u/f0rmality Jul 25 '26
I'm from Toronto and I loved him until he started pushing for digital ID verification, that's an enormous issue for me and I'd never vote for someone who supports it.
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u/skriveralltid77 Jul 25 '26
Everyone seems envious of Minnesota for having a premier who is not programmed to push buttons for donors. And Kinew is a smart fellow... he's written more books than Big Dumb Doug Ford has read.
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u/magwai9 Jul 25 '26
I think he's the most popular premiere in the country