WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he is pausing some activities at the province’s Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force.

Kinew says he has heard concerns about a lack of oversight of decisions made by the group, which was set up under the previous Progressive Conservative government.

The group was set up in 2021 with the goal of reducing wait times in health care, and it has signed deals with out-of-province providers in some cases.

Kinew says as of now, the group cannot commit to any new initiatives or enter into any new financial arrangements while the NDP government examines possible health care improvements and a reduction in the health bureaucracy.

Kinew was also asked about Mark Wasyliw, a member of his caucus who continues to practise law, did not get a cabinet appointment and did not shake Kinew’s hand at a swearing-in ceremony this week.

Kinew says public service is more than a full-time job, but did not answer directly when asked whether he will tell Wasyliw to stop working as a lawyer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2023

The Canadian Press