Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew Under Fire for Dismissing Protesters as “Goofballs”

By Donovan Martin Sr, Editor in Chief

Winnipeg, MB — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is facing mounting scrutiny after referring to protesters at the legislative grounds as “goofballs” during a tense exchange on Wednesday. The protest, organized in response to calls for the removal of Minister Nahanni Fontaine from cabinet, drew hundreds of Manitobans to the Legislature to express their frustration with the government.

The demonstration centered on Fontaine’s continued role in cabinet, with organizers arguing that the minister has lost the public’s confidence. The event featured speeches from community members, including a former Metis Army veteran, who voiced concerns about accountability and leadership after several insulting message exchanges from the minister. According to witnesses, counter-protesters armed with whistles, drums, and other instruments disrupted the proceedings, drowning out speakers and raising questions about the fairness of the exchange of ideas.

When asked about the protest during Question Period, Kinew dismissed the demonstrators as “goofballs,” a remark many have condemned as insensitive. Critics argue the language undermines the democratic right to protest and risks alienating citizens who feel their voices are being ignored. “Manitobans — and Canadians — have the right to assemble and petition their government,” said one observer. “For the Premier to reduce their concerns to name-calling sends the wrong message about respect for civic engagement.”

Kinew defended his position, reiterating that he appointed Fontaine and sees no reason to remove her. “I’m the Premier, and I make cabinet decisions,” he said, drawing a firm line on the issue. But his choice of words has added fuel to the fire at a moment when his government is already under pressure on several fronts.

The protest follows a petition to remove Fontaine that has garnered nearly 10,000 signatures — a substantial show of public discontent in a province of Manitoba’s size. While Manitoba has no formal recall mechanism to remove a sitting MLA or cabinet minister, observers say the Premier could act unilaterally if he chose. The demonstration comes amid a series of challenges for the government. Earlier this year, MLA Mark Wasyliw was removed, and nurses have become increasingly vocal about ongoing health care crises, including long wait times and staffing shortages. Critics say these issues highlight a growing sense of instability within the government.

Fontaine’s office has already been vandalized, and Minister Bernadette Smith has also faced backlash, including firebombing and destruction at her office. Unlike Fontaine, Smith has remained largely silent, with her office declining to publicly address multiple allegations, a stance that some believe has worsened public frustration. A source inside the party suggests that a cabinet shuffle is being planned ahead of the NDP’s November convention, or at the latest before the Legislature’s December break. How Kinew navigates this reshuffle — and whether Fontaine remains in her role — will be closely watched.

This moment marks the first major public rupture between Kinew’s government and grassroots Manitobans since his election. For many, the issue is not solely about Fontaine’s performance but about how the Premier responds to dissent. While previous protests at the Legislature — from climate and First Nations activists to health care advocates — were met with acknowledgement rather than ridicule, Kinew’s “goofballs” remark has set a different tone. Some political analysts warn the language risks deepening divisions. “When a leader dismisses citizens in this way, it can harden opposition and erode trust,” one analyst noted. Others argue that maintaining cabinet unity is vital, and that removing Fontaine could create more instability at a sensitive moment for the government.

For now, the debate underscores a tension at the heart of Kinew’s leadership: balancing loyalty to his team with responsiveness to the public. Whether Manitobans view his choice of words as a passing misstep or a sign of deeper disconnect remains to be seen.