Cabinet minister who criticized interpreter says she is focused on doing better

Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine is pictured at the Manitoba legislature on April 8, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg)

WINNIPEG — A Manitoba cabinet minister who criticized a sign language interpreter, and who has since apologized repeatedly, revealed more details Wednesday of the NDP government’s promise to improve services for people with disabilities.

Nahanni Fontaine, the minister responsible for services for people with disabilities, said she has learned from her mistake.

“When I have these missteps or these mistakes or these moments, I always try to find the teaching and the lessons in it, and then how to move forward in a better way -- how to do better,” Fontaine told reporters.

Fontaine faced criticism for remarks she made last month while hosting a celebration for Indigenous women graduates.

While preparing to speak to reporters after, Fontaine told one of her staff that she was thrown off by a sign language interpreter’s presence and that the woman should not have been on stage.

That led to calls from the Opposition Progressive Conservatives to have Fontaine, who is also minister for families, removed from her position as minister for accessibility.

Premier Wab Kinew has stood by Fontaine. Fontaine apologized for her comments and promised to improve services for people with disabilities and introduce financial penalties for organizations that do not meet accessibility standards.

Fontaine elaborated on the latter Wednesday. The government works with businesses and other groups to help them meet accessibility requirements, she said, but is prepared to offer penalties under regulations that could be in place by next spring.

That could mean a fine for a business that is required to have a wheelchair ramp but does not, for example.

“It’s kind of like a last resort for those folks that are, again, really resistant to accessibility,” Fontaine said.

Fontaine also plans to have sign language interpreters available at all public events held by her department and is promising to have two interpreters hired to help all government departments.

In the wake of Fontaine’s comments last month, reporters and others at APTN, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, found themselves blocked from Fontaine’s social media. APTN was the first to report the comments.

Fontaine refused to say who blocked the reporters, but said the move was reversed.

“I take full responsibility for my office and those folks are no longer blocked.”

Fontaine made the remarks following a news conference where she announced $825,000 in grants this year under the Manitoba Accessibility Fund.

The annual program funds groups that undertake projects to reduce barriers for people with disabilities. Among the recipients this year is the Manitoba Museum, which is developing wayfinding tools for blind and low-vision visitors.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2025

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press