The United Conservative Party government is calling on NDP leader Rachel Notley to condemn the recent invitation of an Alberta NDP convention speaker who once pleaded guilty to assaulting a taxi driver in 2004.
The speaker in question is Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew who faced domestic violence charges and pleaded guilty to assaulting a cab driver along with refusing a breathalyser in 2004.
Wab Kinew pled guilty to assaulting a cab driver whom he allegedly uttered racial slurs towards. He also faced two domestic violence charges, following allegations from an ex-partner.
Peace River MLA Dan Williams said Notley should “practice what she preaches” and condemn Kinew’s history of violence — and uninvite him from the NDP’s weekend convention.
“There is no excuse for hurting others. Treating Kinew like some sort of hero is a slap in the face to victims of crime,” Williams said in a statement to True North.
“Rachel Notley never does the right things when push comes to shove. She is always first in line to cast moral judgement on others, but when it comes to violent and abusive figures within her own party, she has nothing to say.”
The invitation to Kinew comes as Notley accused Premier Danielle Smith of showing sympathy to an “international war criminal and an illegal invasion of Ukraine demonstrates horrendous judgment” for saying Ukraine should be neutral to end the war with Russia – comments which she has since apologized for
In September 2004, Kinew pleaded guilty to refusing a breath demand, assault, failing to report for bail supervision, and breaching a court-ordered curfew. He was fined $1,400 for all four offences under a joint Crown and defence recommendation.
In 2017, Tara Hart of Winnipeg told APTN she was in a common-law relationship with Kinew in 2003 when she became the alleged victim of a domestic assault. Hart alleged Kinew threw or pushed her across the room and she suffered rug burn on her legs and hands.
Hart said she was speaking out though fearful.
“I’m scared of his people that support him to come against me,” she told ATPN. “He has a lot of friends.”
Kinew denies the assault. The charges were stayed by the Crown in 2004, meaning Kinew’s guilt or innocence was never determined.
The Alberta NDP has told True North it has a policy not to accept media requests from our publication. The Manitoba NDP did not respond to a request for comment by publication.
