NDP's Wab Kinew responds to Twitter controversy: 'I've been an open book'

New Democratic candidate and former CBC broadcasterWabKinew refused to back down Friday after Manitoba Liberals called for the NDPto drop him as a candidate over tweets they call"hurtful" and "damaging."

Kinew,theNDP'sstar candidate in Fort Rouge, has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons after derogatory andmisogynistictweets he made during his time as a hip-hop artist recently resurfaced.

Standing besideKinewon Friday, NDP Leader GregSelingersaid he had no plans to drop Kinew.

"Look, when you offer yourself to public life, as you know, you're out there,"Selingersaid.

RAW: NDP's Greg Selinger and Wab Kinew respond to Twitter controversy

9 years ago

Duration 4:02

New Democratic candidate and former CBC broadcaster Wab Kinew refused to back down Friday after Manitoba Liberals called for the NDP to drop him as a candidate over tweets they call "hurtful" and "damaging."

"The reality is Wab, before he came into political life, made a complete apology for any of the things he's done in the past that have hurt other people," saidSelinger.

Kinewmaintained he has shown accountability.

"There are allegations being made so I thought it was important for me to come here and face the alligators," jokedKinewon Friday.

"I've been an open book.I've been transparent, I have been accountable," saidKinew.

Earlier on Friday,NoelBernier, the Liberalcandidate in Winnipeg'sSt. John'sconstituency, told reporters his party wants to see theNDP dropKinew.

"He shouldgo,but it should be Mr.Selingermaking that decision."

Kinewsaid he was prepared to debate policy but he will not get "caught up intoa game of mutual slander."

Kinew'slyrics have referred to women as "bitches" and "whores."

Kinew'scomments are "hurtful, they're damaging, and they're offensive to a lot of people. Every moment that goes by, that the NDP stands beside Wab, the NDP stands beside those comments,"Berniersaid. "[If]theystand beside those words, then that's what today's NDP is all about."

Kinewhas repeatedly pointed out that he acknowledged and apologized for his comments in his 2015 book,The Reason YouWalk. He also said he has called on hip-hop artists to stop using misogynisticlyrics.

Bernier, however, said that only covers the offensive words inKinew'smusic. There is a "plethora" of other offensive tweets that have nothing to do with his lyrics,Berniersaid, adding that in one of themKinewmade light of the situation inAttawapiskat, an Ontario First Nation that was making national headlines due to its housing crisis.

Bernier,director of the party'snorthern indigenous caucus, said he was addressing the media because of a conflict of interest forLiberal Party Leader Rana Bokhari. She is running against Kinew in Fort Rouge.

The Liberals know how it feels to facea candidate's controversial tweets.They cut ties with theirSouthdale candidate Jamie Halla dayafter inappropriatetweets he made a few years ago about "whores" and "skanks"surfaced.

• Manitoba Liberals sever ties with Jamie Hall over misogynistic tweets
• Manitoba candidates Jamie Hall and Wab Kinew under fire for comments about women

"Our leader did exactly what you're supposed to do as a leader. She took the appropriate action," Bernier said.

He accused the New Democrats ofa double standard, becausethey hadcalled onthe Liberals to fire Hall, yet are holding on toKinew as a candidate.

Social media and the history it holds of a person's viewsare making all politicians second-guess themselves, Bernier said.

"I've seen tweets from our own candidates that could be described as vulgar and angry, but they are always in defence of good;they are always fighting for someone vulnerable," Bernier said.

"But there is nothing redeeming or positive in any of [Kinew's] tweets."

"I haven't heard him apologize to the children ofAttawapiskat, and I haven't heard him apologize to women for his incredibly sexist remarks,"Berniersaid.

"This is about a pattern of comments and behaviour."

Selingersaid Kinew has apologized in full for his comments and has changed as a person since he made them.

"I accept that Wab'smade a huge gigantic change in his life, and I respect that," said Selinger.