Manitoba premier and two NDP MLAs ask court to dismiss Mark Wasyliw defamation suit

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and two New Democrat legislators, Billie Cross and Mike Moyes, are disputing allegations that they conspired to defame former NDP member Mark Wasyliw. Wasyliw filed a lawsuit last year claiming that Kinew, Cross, and Moyes made false and reckless statements during his removal from the governing NDP caucus in September 2024. The legislators are requesting the court to dismiss the lawsuit.

Wasyliw alleges that Kinew's explanation for his expulsion from the caucus suggested that Wasyliw lacked integrity and did not hold NDP values. The lawsuit also claims that Cross defamed Wasyliw by alleging he was abusive to colleagues, and Moyes defamed him by calling him deceitful and disrespectful.

In their defence, the three legislators argue that Wasyliw's suit lacks substantial merit and denies that his removal from the caucus was sudden or unjustified. They also deny making any public statements directed at Wasyliw that were reckless, false, or defamatory. The defense statement suggests that Wasyliw's continued work as a defence lawyer was a topic of discussion within the caucus before the NDP formed government in 2023.

They claim that Wasyliw publicly announced his intention to expand his law practice after being appointed to the NDP caucus, leading to further discussions about his role within the party.

According to the defense statement, Moyes approached Wasyliw in September 2024 and presented him with a choice: to fully commit to the caucus team or to his law practice. Wasyliw chose his law practice, and any losses to his reputation are attributed to his own actions. Wasyliw, who was first elected in 2019 and now serves as an Independent member of the legislature, is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed.