Manitoba politician says he thought he was within his right to push silica mine
WINNIPEG – A former Manitoba cabinet minister says he thought he was following the rules when he tried to push the approval of a silica sand mine after his party was defeated in an election.
Jeff Wharton has spoken to the media for the first time since the province's ethics commissioner issued a damning report last week into the actions of some members of the former Progressive Conservative government after losing the October 2023 election.
The commissioner said despite losing the election, three senior Tories tried to get the planned Sio Silica mining project approved before the incoming NDP government could be sworn in.
The commissioner said former premier Heather Stefanson, former deputy premier Cliff Cullen, and Wharton — the then-minister for economic development — violated the conflict of interest law and should be fined.
Wharton, the only one of the three still in politics, says he accepts the report's findings and apologizes.
Wharton says he thought the outgoing government was allowed to approve the mine under a section of the Environment Act, but now accepts that the belief was wrong.
Tory Leader Obby Khan has stripped Wharton of his Opposition critic duties, but Wharton remains in caucus.
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The NDP government rejected the mine a few months later, citing concerns that included the potential impact on drinking water.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025
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