Kinew says cabinet minister who complained about sign-language interpreter will stay

Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine is apologizing after being caught on a hot mic complaining about an ASL interpreter at an event.

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is standing by a cabinet minister who complained about sharing a stage with a sign language interpreter.

Nahanni Fontaine has apologized for her remarks and will stay on as the minister responsible for services for people with disabilities, Kinew told reporters Friday.

“I totally understand where people are coming from,” Kinew said, referring to criticism of Fontaine’s remarks.

“At the same time, I think our minister has apologized and is putting in the work with the community, so it’s with the greatest of humility that I want to ask folks in the Deaf community to keep working with her.”

Kinew did not specify what steps Fontaine is taking other than meeting with people in the community.

The controversy erupted last week after Fontaine hosted a celebration for Indigenous women graduates in Winnipeg.

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

In comments captured by APTN, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, the staff member asked whether the interpreter’s “frantic hand movements” were distracting. Fontaine replied, “yeah” and then, using an expletive, said the woman needed to leave.

The comments were met with widespread criticism. The Opposition Progressive Conservatives called for Fontaine to be removed from her role.

Andrew Stadnicki, a community advocate, wrote to Fontaine and called her comments “painfully ableist.” He also called for a public forum so that key cabinet ministers could hear of people’s lived experiences.

Fontaine, who is also minister for families, issued two apologies in the days after the event and said she had been worried about not being able to see everyone in the room on the small, crowded stage.

Kinew said Friday he had discussed the matter with Fontaine but would not reveal details of the talk.

The Manitoba Deaf Association said it met with Fontaine on Wednesday and will continue to work with her.

“She will not stop listening to us and expressed her commitment to learn and make improvements from this huge misstep,” association president Shawna Joynt wrote in an email.

“We will continue to be by her side as advisers on our accessibility needs.

“We know this will not sit well with everyone and we do understand these feelings. The important thing is for everyone to know this is serious and we, as members of the Deaf community, have a right to be involved, too”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2025

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press