Tory leader apologizes for gesture in legislature

WINNIPEG — Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan formally apologized Thursday — after being called out by the Speaker of the legislature — for pretending to shoot himself in the mouth during question period one day earlier.

Speaker Tom Lindsey said the gesture was “egregious” and called for the apology after investigating a complaint from Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara and reviewing video of the incident that he called “inappropriate” and “offensive.”

He released the video to the media. It shows Khan making the “finger gun” gesture to mimic a handgun and pointing it at his mouth, then pretending to shoot himself.

Shortly after the incident on Wednesday, Asagwara raised a point of order alleging that the Tory leader made a “very disturbing” gesture in the house that “could be very harmful and very triggering to anybody in this space — or certainly children in the gallery.”

Khan apologized at the time, while the Speaker said he planned to investigate the matter.

On Thursday, after reviewing footage of the incident, Lindsey said a further apology from the PC leader was necessary.

“I discovered that the gestures complained about were of such an egregious and offensive — while I hesitate to reference them specifically — I feel that it is necessary to be clear. The footage shows the Honourable Leader of the Official Opposition making a gesture depicting gun violence and acts of self-harm,” the Speaker said.

“I believe this was an inappropriate gesture for a member to be making in this chamber, and I find myself not satisfied with the (Khan’s) apology yesterday.” Lindsey invited him to provide “an unequivocal and unconditional” apology for his behaviour.

The PC leader apologized for the gesture and to anyone he had offended in the chamber. The Speaker accepted Khan’s apology, saying it should bring the matter to a close.

However, the NDP government wasn’t about to let it go.

Khan made the gesture while Education Minister Tracy Schmidt was speaking. She had asked Khan if he will “condemn his colleagues for breaking the law, or will he carry on with the corruption” after MLAs voted to fine former premier Heather Stefanson and cabinet ministers Cliff Cullen and Jeff Wharton for breaking the conflict of interest law in 2023.

On Thursday, Schmidt said during an interview that Khan isn’t fit to lead a party or a province.

“My understanding is that the gesture was intended or sort of targeted me,” Schmidt said.

“It’s not really about me. I’m thinking about the students that were in the gallery. I’m thinking about Manitobans that are expecting decorum, that are concerned about and are denouncing political violence. The leader of the Opposition has said that he supports both those things,” she said.

“I think that his actions in the chamber yesterday and the Speaker’s ruling today show that he is deeply unserious about either of those things,” said Schmidt. “He is not ready to lead this province and probably not even to lead his party.”

Khan apologized again outside the chamber Thursday, saying he was frustrated during the heated debate during question period Wednesday.

“That doesn’t make it right,” Khan said.

“Nothing I say is going to make it right. I own up to my mistake,” he said after question period. “As a leader, I have no problem admitting when I’m wrong.”

He said he personally has “very much” been affected by someone who harmed themself.

“That’s why I say it was a childish, immature gesture that I regret.”

It’s not the first time MLAs behaviour in the chamber warranted a video replay ordered by the speaker.

In November 2022, Point Douglas MLA Bernadette Smith tearfully raised a matter of privilege, saying she was shaken to the core and concerned for her safety because PC MLA Blaine Pedersen had hit the back of her chair during question period one day earlier.

Video of the exchange showed Pedersen smacking the back of Smith’s chair with the back of his hand and then leaning forward to speak to her. Pedersen apologized if he had caused Smith any harm or grief.

Andrew Micklefield, the deputy speaker at the time, said the behaviour crossed the line and reminded MLAs to maintain decorum.

In April 2023, a 40-second video of the infamous handshake between Khan, who was sport minister, and NDP Leader Wab Kinew, was released to the public by former speaker Myrna Driedger.

Khan accused Kinew of intimidating him, using profane language and being physically violent during a Turban Day cultural event hosted by the NDP in the rotunda of the legislature.

The former member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers made a formal complaint to the house, saying his privilege as a member of the legislature was violated by Kinew’s actions that left him feeling threatened and unsafe.

The speaker released the video recorded by a legislature surveillance camera, after ruling that Khan’s privilege as an MLA was not violated because the incident didn’t occur during legislative proceedings in the chamber or at a legislative committee meeting.

» Winnipeg Free Press