Digging up dirt on Kinew justified, Pallister says, despite suggestions it was an improper use of government

Premier Brian Pallisterhas no qualms with the hiring of a private investigator to find dirt on NDP Leader Wab Kinew, even as questions are raised about whether government resources were improperly used for thepartisan activity.

Pallister said the move to investigate Kinewisjustified based on the criminal history of the Official Opposition leader.

"When we receive allegations that someone has covered up a criminal record, it's important to do the research and get the facts. This record was covered up, so we had a criminal record check done," Pallister said Tuesday at an unrelated media briefing.

"I think that's an appropriate thing to do,I think research matters."

WATCH | Premier says he has an obligation to research his opponent:

Pallister hired private investigator to look into opposition leader

3 years ago

Duration 0:23

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says he hired an investigator to research Wab Kinew's background, calling it "appropriate."

The Winnipeg Free Press unveiled last week that Pallister ordered senior political staff to hire a private investigator to investigate Kinewin the lead-up to the 2019 election.

Pallister and the Progressive Conservatives have taken variousopportunities to remind Manitobansof Kinew's troubled past.

Kinewhas openly admitted toa conviction for impaired driving and for assaulting a cab driver in his early 20s, more than a decade ago offences for which he hasreceived pardons.

He was given a conditional discharge in 2004 for an assault, and was charged with assaulting his partner in 2003. The latter charge was stayed, although his former partnermaintains Kinew threw her across the room.

Partisan activities funded by taxpayers

While a political scientist told the Free Pressit's common for political parties to spend money investigating their opponents, it's inappropriate for partisan attack campaigns to be led by government staff. In this case, the private investigator was hired using Tory funds, but it was overseen by senior members of Pallister's staff, the newspaper reported.

On Tuesday, Pallistersaid the investigation sought to research Kinew's criminal record to make sure it was factual. "We didn't take it at face value," the premier said.

The Free Press reported the private investigator was hired in 2018, but the disclosure of Kinew's criminal record came to light a year earlier as he was seeking the leadership of the NDP.

Pallister called on Kinew Tuesday to "come clean about any other interactions he may have had with the justice department or various criminal activities, because the sooner he wrestles those demons, the sooner forgiveness will come." Pallister did notspecifyany examples of these alleged activities.

WATCH | NDP leader says Pallister is distracted from the issues that matter:

Wab Kinew responds to Pallister hiring private investigator

3 years ago

Duration 1:00

Opposition leader Wab Kinew says the premier hiring a private investigator is "desperate" and "improper."

In response, Kinew said he has nothing to answer to.

"It's very desperate, it's not true, and I think this is what we see every time the premier gets into trouble is he tries to attack me," Kinew said.

"Let's not forget that the real issue here is his improper use of executive council resources to try and manage the hiring of a private investigator, which I believe was improper."

When asked if he'd consider filing a complaint, perhaps with Elections Manitoba, Kinew said he was mulling if there was a recoursehe could take.

Kinew accused Pallister of relying on attacks rather than debating him on the issues.

Christopher Adams,adjunct professor of political studies at the University of Manitoba, acknowledgedthat members ofPallister's senior political staff have partisan backgrounds, but he said they should not have a role in concocting a smear campaign against a political rival.

"We expect a political party maybe to do that, but not the top of the civil service," Adams said.