Details emerge of Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew's assault, drunk-driving charges

As new Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew finished his first day on the job Monday, more details emerged about his 2003 arrests for assault and drunk driving.

CBC has reviewed the audio record of Kinew's sentencing in September 2004.

Kinew, who was elected leader on Saturday, was 22 years old when hepleaded guilty to refusing a breath demand, assault, failing to report for bail supervision, and breaching a court-ordered curfew. Under a joint Crown and defence recommendation, Kinew was fined $1,400 for all four offences.

Kinew was first arrested in Winnipeg on Feb. 24, 2003, after he was spotted late in the evening while driving his father's 2000 Dodge Dakota erratically in the area of Hespeler Avenue and Henderson Highway.

Court heard a witness who followed Kinew for several kilometres reported he lost control of his vehicle two times after striking a guard rail and light standard on the Slaw Rebchuk bridge.

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Kinewcontinued to drive several more kilometres with a blown-out front tire before police caught up to him at a York Avenue parkade.

Police reportedKinewas having bloodshot eyes andslurred speech, and as being unsteady on his feet. A three-quarters empty bottle of gin that was purchased that afternoon was found in the back seat.

Taken into custody,Kinewrefused to provide a breath sample.

Altercation with cabbie

Kinewwas bound by a court recognizance on that charge when, on June 27, 2004, he was arrested following an altercation with a city taxi driver.

Court heardKinewwas intoxicated when he caught a cab near Mayfair Avenue, shortly before 5 a.m.

"The accused began to insult the [cab driver]with some racial comments which continued until the driver reached the intersection of Portage Avenue and Fort Street," the Crown told court.

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While stopped at a red light,Kinewexited the vehicle, approached the driver's side door window, which was open, and punched the driver in the face.

A passerby yelled out and momentarily interrupted the assault. When the driver exited the cab,Kinewpushed him to the ground and kicked him, court heard.

Police came upon the scene andKinewattempted to flee. Taken into custody,Kinewdeclined to discuss the incident.

The victim suffered a small laceration to his elbow and swelling to his face.

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In his 2015 memoirThe Reason You Walk,Kinewsaid he had grabbed a cab with friends and "hopped out without paying."

'Full-on hockey fight mode'

On page 70 of the book, he writes that "the driver caught up with us and pushed me. I turned around and shoved him back. A passing cabbie saw what was happening, stopped his taxi and jumped out to help his fellow driver. He swung and hit me in the face. I grabbed him and swung back.

"We stood in the middle of the street, arms flailing in full-on hockey fight mode. The police showed up and tackled me."

Court heardKinew'sproblems with alcohol started sometime after he moved out of his parents' home at 19 and while he was attending university pursuing an economics degree.

"Mr. Kinew's drinking has led him into significant difficulties and played a participating role ... in each of his criminal offences,"said defence lawyer Jason Miller.

Following his arrest, Kinew's parents proposed a treatment plan that would "put him back on the traditional path that he had walked previously," Miller said.

Attended sweat lodges, fasted

Kinew attended sweat lodges "to purify himself" and participated in asun dance event, during which he fasted for four days and pulled buffalo skulls by piercings cut into his body.

"Suffice it to say, it shows a significant degree of commitment by the individual who attends," Miller said.

Kinew also began attending regular Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

"While abstaining from alcohol, he has had no involvement in the justice system," Miller said. "He realizes this is a lifelong path he has to follow."

Kinew, a former CBC News broadcaster who also hosted the TV series Eighth Fire and later appeared on Canada Reads,reiterated that message in an email reply to CBC early Monday night.

'I've apologized unequivocally'

"These are not episodes in my life I'm proud of," Kinewsaid."I struggled with alcohol, and that caused me to behave in ways that weren't healthy for me, or those around me. When the alcohol stopped, so did the fights. Violence, racism, and sexism are unacceptable. I've apologized unequivocally, and I do so again: to anyone I harmed, I am sorry.

"Because of my past, I understand the challenges of young people in our society who are struggling with the same things I was alcohol, addictions, anger. I know that they can do better, because I learned how to do better," Kinew said.

Wab Kinew says he got into politics because of his past

7 years ago

Duration 2:32

Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew speaks on CBC's Information Radio about how his historic win has been clouded by allegations of domestic assault and an attack-filled website from the Tories.

"I also know that the conversation around racism in our society is complex and multi-directional. I am lucky to have the opportunity to speak with people from all walks of life and want to continue to build bridges and reduce the attitudes which can separate us."

Kinewbecame the first elected First Nations leader of a major party in Manitoba,netting728 votes and his opponent, former MLA SteveAshton, had 253.

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But within 30 minutes of his victory,the Progressive Conservatives launched an attackwebsiteagainst him.

WabOn.ca has screen grabs of past misogynistic and homophobic tweets, sent as far back as 2009, a summary of past charges of domestic assault and links to news stories and opinion columns that are critical of the rookie politician.