Manitoba MLA selling grocery business after breaking rules by renewing store's contract with government

A Manitoba cabinet minister says he's selling hisgrocery business after he was found to have violated provincial ethics rules due toa contract the business had with the provincial government.

Ian Bushie, the minister of municipal and northern relations and Indigenous economic development,is the sole proprietor of Grandpa George's, a family-run gas station and convenience store onHollow Water First Nation on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.

He contravened the Conflict of Interest Act when a contract the business hadwith the provincial government,valued at $100,000,wasrenewed, ethics commissioner Jeffrey SchnoorannouncedThursday.

The contract wasto supply groceries and goods forcrews fighting wildfires, and has been renewed consistently since it was first signed more than a decade ago, Bushie haspreviously said.

For the most part, MLAs are prohibited from holdinga contract with government. Contracts in existence at the time of a member's election are permitted, but renewals and extensions are not.

As such, Bushie who has owned the business since 1996 and was first elected in 2019 broke the ruleswhen hiscontract was renewed on April1.

Bushie won't be punished

Schnoor, however, is not recommending any penalties for Bushie.

Bushie'sactions wereinadvertent, andthe MLA hasapologized and accepted responsibility for his error, a news release from Schnoor's office said.

Bushiesaid the contract was cancelled the day the Progressive Conservatives filed a complaint in June. The Opposition argued the Keewatinook MLAwasunfairly granted a contract without allowing other people to bid on it, and that he failedto reveal the contract in his disclosure statement

At aThursday news conference, Bushie told reporters that "upon reflection, I decided I wanted to go above and beyond," and said he is now inthe early stages of selling the family-run business.

"Being part of thisteam means being accountable. Selling my business shows my unequivocal commitment to my role onthis team,"said Bushie, describing the NDP caucus in similar terms as hiscolleagues have used this week following the expulsion of Fort Garry MLA Mark Wasyliw.

"It's important that I show that I am taking full responsibility for what has happened here, and I want to be able to assure Manitobans that they have trust in government across all of our caucus," Bushie added.

He said the decision to sell the business was his own.

"This is a point in my life where it's something to be able to not only show my commitment to the team, but also change that new chapter in my life."

Only business to bidon contract

An online government directory says the province'scontract renewal in April withGrandpa George's was awarded directly meaning other businesses couldn't bid because the businessis the only such operation in the immediate vicinity. Bushiehas described itas the only grocery business within a 100-kilometre radius.

The province said it will rely on other contracts with existing suppliers if wildfire crews need supplies.

At the time of the PC's complaint, Bushiesaid the actual amount paid through the contract had been"very minimal," in comparison to the $100,000 valuation, as the amountdepends on fire activity and the quantity of food and goodsneeded in any given year.

His office later said Bushie's store was paid $1,872 in the fiscal year that ended in March.

Bushiepreviously said he did not disclose the contract because he felt he wasn't required to.

Interim PC Leader Wayne Ewaskosaid in a statement Thursday he commended the commissioner for his work, and said the party will ensure its members are"well versed in the commissioner's findings and his recommendations."

Ewasko also said he looks forward to apublic apology that Bushie has committed to making, according to the commissioner's report.

Bushie said his decision to sell his business wasn't influenced byWasyliwbeingbootedfrom the NDP caucus this week, which the party has said was due in part to his refusalto leave his law practice.

Wasyliwhad pledged to wind down his legal work, but he changed his mind when he wasn't appointed to cabinet after the NDP won last October's provincial election.

His dismissal from caucus Monday was initially attributed to his failure to "demonstrate good judgment" since a colleagueat the law firm where he works is defendingconvicted sexual predator Peter Nygardin court.

Caucus chair Mike Moyeshas since saidwhile thatwas the "final straw," Wasyliwshowedapattern of deceit and disrespectbefore his removal.

Bushiesaid it's up to each MLA to determine if they will maintain other business interests.

Billie Cross, deputy chair of the NDP caucus, stoodbeside Bushie at his Thursday news conference. She said she's proud to own an online butcher shop, whichher husband and one of her childrenoperatefull-time.

"That's their livelihood, right? And I think it's OK for that to happen," she said.

Cross said the issue with Wasyliw wasn't about running a business.

"[Our] problems with Mark stem from his relationships that he had with people in caucus, not being a team player, disparaging others. I've witnessed him disparage others publicly," she said.

Wasyliw has denied those allegations. He said Wednesdayhe worked to be a team player because he knew he was on thin ice for refusing to close down his law practice asPremier Wab Kinew wanted.

Ian Bushie plans to sell grocery business after breaking MLA ethics rules

15 days ago

Duration 1:50

Manitoba cabinet minister Ian Bushie says he's choosing to sell his business after violating Manitoba's Conflict of Interest Act because his grocery store's contract with the provincial government was renewed.