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Ethics Investigation Into Silica Mining Project Finds Former Manitoba Premier Acted Improperly
- In May 2025, Manitoba’s ethics commissioner determined that Heather Stefanson, who was premier at the time, along with two Progressive Conservative ministers, acted improperly by attempting to secure approval for a silica sand mining project following the 2023 provincial election in Winnipeg.
- The breach took place during the caretaker period following the Progressive Conservatives' loss in the October 3, 2023 election to the NDP, violating both provincial ethics laws and established caretaker government protocols.
- Heather Stefanson, along with then-deputy premier Cliff Cullen and former economic development minister Jeff Wharton, sought to secure the environmental approval for the Sio Silica project despite resistance from some Progressive Conservative ministers and the upcoming NDP administration.
- Ethics commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor proposed penalties of $18K for Stefanson, $12K for Cullen, and $10K for Wharton, concluding that while they did not personally benefit financially, their conduct improperly advanced the interests of others.
- The NDP formally rejected the mining project in February 2024, and the legislature is expected to consider Schnoor’s report and sanctions after the summer break amid calls for clearer caretaker convention rules.
21 Articles
21 Articles
The Hamilton Spectator
Manitoba Tory loses critic duties but remains in caucus after ethics probe
WINNIPEG - Manitoba Opposition leader Obby Khan stripped a Progressive Conservative caucus member of his critic duties Thursday, as questions continued to swirl about the former government’s actions related to a proposed silica sand mine.
Ethics investigation into silica mining project finds former Manitoba premier acted improperly
Manitoba’s ethics commissioner has found former premier Heather Stefanson and two of her cabinet ministers acted improperly after trying to push through a controversial silica sand mining project in the wake of the Tories’ election loss.
Manitoba ethics commissioner faults former premier for pushing mining project - Winnipeg
Former Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson and two cabinet ministers violated the province's conflict-of-interest law and should be fined, the province's ethics commissioner ruled.
Former Manitoba premier violated Conflict of Interest Act by pushing silica sand project: ethics commissioner
A report by Manitoba's ethics commissioner says former premier Heather Stefanson and two of her cabinet ministers acted improperly by pushing for the approval of a silica sand mining project.
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