Ethics investigation into silica mining project finds former Manitoba premier acted improperly

Former premier Heather Stefanson is facing an $18,000 fine over an ethics probe into a controversial silica sand mining project. Daniel Halmarson has more.

Manitoba’s ethics commissioner has found former premier Heather Stefanson and two of her cabinet ministers acted improperly after trying to push through a controversial silica sand mining project in the wake of the Tories’ election loss.

A report from ethics commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor was tabled in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. It comes after Schnoor launched an investigation into allegations that one or more Tories had tried to rush approval of the Sio Silica mining project.

In the wake of the Progressive Conservatives’ Oct. 3, 2023, election loss – two former PC cabinet ministers (Kevin Klein and Rochelle Squires) said they were asked to approve the mining project before the new NDP government was sworn in.

Both said they refused.

Read more: Former Manitoba cabinet ministers say PCs tried to push through silica sand mine after election loss

The NDP government later rejected the project.

Schnoor‘s investigation looked at the actions of Stefanson, along with three of her former cabinet ministers—Cliff Cullen (who served as finance minister), Jeff Wharton (who served as economic development minister), and Derek Johnson (who served as minister of agriculture).

Stefanson resigned her seat in April 2024, and Cullen did not seek re-election. Wharton and Johnson both remain as MLAs.

“By attempting to have the Project License issued in the transition period without the consent of the incoming NDP government, Ms. Stefanson, Mr. Cullen and Mr. Wharton contravened the caretaker convention and thereby acted improperly,” Schnoor said in his report.

He went on to say, although Johnson was ‘clearly aware’ of the plan to approve the project, there was insufficient evidence that his actions were improper. Schnoor then concluded Johnson did not contravene Manitoba’s conflict of interest act.

The ethics commissioner then went on to recommend fines, including $18,000 against Stefanson, $12,000 against Cullen, and $10,000 against Wharton.

Stefanson’s lawyer issued a statement on behalf of the former premier earlier in the day Wednesday.

“None of the decisions I took in the period before the new NDP government was sworn in were made for any purpose other than to further and protect the public interest,” the statement reads in part.

“In summary: I was Premier, I did my job, and when the people elected a new government, I deferred to the NDP government and respected their views on how to proceed.”

Schnoor noted the final decision rests with the Legislative Assembly, which is set to discuss the report in the house today.

You can read the full report below.