Jackson defends former staffer over letter writing

Conservative MP Grant Jackson is defending a former staffer who praised the Conservative party in several letters to the editor that appeared in Westman newspapers, without disclosing that he was paid by the party.

The former parliamentary affairs director for Jackson, Levi Cottingham, submitted letters in papers such as the Roblin Review, the Dauphin Herald, the Minnedosa Tribune, the Erickson South Mountain Press and the Neepawa Banner & Press since he entered his role with Jackson last year. The letters routinely criticized the federal Liberals and complemented Conservative policies.

“I don’t think there is a problem here whatsoever,” Jackson said in a phone call last week. “Levi Cottingham very publicly worked for me, campaigned for me, was my campaign manager, and subsequently has been my director of parliamentary affairs up until (March 6).”

The end of that professional relationship had nothing to do with the letters, Jackson said.

An October letter from the former staffer that was published in at least three Westman newspapers praised Conservative MP Dan Mazier.

“I want to take a moment to recognize the strong and steady work our Member of Parliament, Dan Mazier, has been doing on the House of Commons Health Committee,” Cottingham wrote to the Erickson South Mountain Press.

“I’m proud to have an MP who is standing up for Swan River, Western Manitoba, and all rural Canadians who want safer streets, better health care, and policies that actually work,” Cottingham wrote. “He’s been a clear and persistent voice for communities like ours.”

The letter was signed: Levi Cottingham, Birtle.

Jackson said that as an MP he would disclose his title if he were to write a letter to the editor — but said his situation is different because he is an elected official.

Whether someone is paid by a political party or not, Jackson maintained that many people are loyal to parties, and he encourages participation by young people. Regardless of party affiliation, more people should be involved in writing about politics like Cottingham has done, Jackson said.

“Frankly, I applaud his initiative,” he said. “I think it’s great to have young people from rural Manitoba, particularly Westman, involved and engaged in the politics of the nation.”

Cottingham said that he did not disclose his job status or affiliation with the Conservative party in his multiple letters because it is not required, in an emailed statement to the Sun.

When asked, he did not answer where he lives or works, but said that his legal address is in Birtle.

Ken Waddell, publisher of the Neepawa Banner & Press and the Virden Empire Advance, said Cottingham exists in a bit of a grey area. Cottingham can claim to be from Birtle due to his upbringing, but there is a question about the civil nature of the letters, he said.

“He can say that he’s writing that as a citizen, but he’s really writing that as a staff person for a Member of Parliament, right?”

Waddell said he was aware of Cottingham’s affiliation for roughly six months, in which he has published letters in his newspapers. He described that Cottingham has made it “pretty obvious” where the content is coming from because Cottingham identified himself by his name in each letter.

At the same time, it does not add up to an ideal concept of a letter to the editor, he said.

“Letters to the editor should be from people who are citizens of the area and who have legitimate concerns about various issues,” Waddell told the Sun in a recent interview. “Anyone who writes a letter, who is in an official political position, they should probably identify that position.”

At the moment, Waddell is considering what to do with the letters.

“We’re questioning whether we should use them or not.”

Cottingham submitted letters to local newspapers for years, even before working for Jackson. He had a letter published in 2024 in The Brandon Sun discussing the importance of youth in politics. Last year, several of his letters were published in rural papers that promoted the Conservatives or criticized the federal Liberals, such as Mark Carney.

Cottingham wrote of Carney in February 2025:

“He’s avoided being transparent about his ties to Brookfield, a company he led,” the letter wrote. “He must reveal the full scope of his financial interests, including his compensation from Brookfield and his current role in the firm.”

According to The Hill Times, Cottingham historically worked as an assistant to MP Larry Maguire, the former Conservative member of parliament for Brandon-Souris.

Cottingham published a number of letters during his time as parliamentary affairs director for Jackson, including subjects such as to criticize the Manitoba NDP’s educational funding, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strength as a leader, and the federal Liberals’ governance.

Waddell said Cottingham’s letters are well written. The publisher added that Cottingham is not alone in having a side to take – most writers have a position they are advocating for.

“Anybody who writes a letter, they have an agenda,” Waddell said.

» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com