Kinew congratulates Democrat winners

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is celebrating the Democratic party’s stunning victories over Republican candidates — many of whom were hand-picked by President Donald Trump — in Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections.

Kinew posted a photo on social media of himself with Minnesota senator-elect Peggy Flanagan, the state’s former lieutenant-governor and a fellow Anishinaabe, congratulating her “and all the Democrats for absolutely dominating Trump in the midterms!”

After two years of unified Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, the Democrats won both by wide margins Tuesday for a Congress poised to reassert itself as a co-equal branch of government ready to challenge Trump.

Manitoba’s New Democrat premier, who has openly mocked and criticized Trump over tariffs and trade issues, took a victory lap on social media Wednesday, saluting his left-of-centre counterparts south of the border.

“I look forward to working together to lower costs on both sides of the border by ending the war in Iran (gas & diesel prices) and the Trump tariffs (the price of everything else),” Kinew’s post said.

“The American people have delivered a resounding rejection of the president’s actions over the past two years. Canadians are ready to rebuild the relationship and strengthen our economies.”

Kinew praised Flanagan as she becomes the first Native American female senator and Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed, who becomes the first Muslim to serve in the U.S. Senate. He also applauded New Mexico governor-elect Deb Haaland, who becomes the first Native American female governor in the U.S., “and many others (who) made history these midterms. Bravo!”

While the premier was happy to toast the Democrats’ wins, he wasn’t prepared to lift the March 2025 ban on U.S. booze at Manitoba liquor stores imposed in response to Trump’s tariffs.

The principal secretary to the premier skirted the question when asked about it Wednesday.

“We look forward to working with newly elected members of Congress to lower costs on both sides of the border by ending the the war in Iran and the Trump tariffs so that we can lower costs for everyone in North America,” Emily Coutts said in a prepared statement.

Provinces that banded together to boycott U.S. alcohol likely won’t bend anytime soon, said one political expert.

“Even if Congress is dominating with Democrats, as long as we don’t have a trade deal, I don’t think we’ll see the booze come back on the shelves,” University of Manitoba political studies adjunct Prof. Christopher Adams said Wednesday.

Trump continues to champion tariffs and has the power to veto the actions of a Democrat-controlled Congress, he said.

“Looking forward, I would say that things will continue as they are,” Adams said.

“The real impact will be who runs for president next — if it’s (Vice-President) J.D. Vance or whomever. I think the will of the people has shown itself that they don’t like Trump and they probably don’t like whoever would be his successor if they promise to continue Trump behaviour.”

Interim Progressive Conservative leader Konrad Narth said voters are losing patience with empty promises.

“President Trump has damaged valuable relationships with long-standing allies, including Canada, while failing to deliver on many of the promises he made to Americans,” Narth posted on social media Wednesday.

Leadership is about delivering results, building relationships and putting people first, he wrote.

“My hope is that Americans can find a way to work together, and that we can rebuild the strong relationship between our two countries that has benefited generations on both sides of the border.”

He did not respond when asked if Manitoba should lift the ban on U.S. alcohol.

» Winnipeg Free Press