WINNIPEG — Manitoba Opposition leader Obby Khan has been rebuked by legislature Speaker Tom Lindsey for comments Khan made to a non-binary cabinet minister.

In question period last month, the governing New Democrats accused the Progressive Conservative leader of calling deputy premier Uzoma Asagwara a terrible person, and then saying, “whatever you are.”

Khan denied any hateful intent, and said his full comments were calling on the NDP to repeat whatever they were saying outside the chamber.

Lindsey has now ruled on the matter after reviewing audio recordings from different microphones inside the chamber.

He says Khan’s words were hurtful, dehumanizing and hateful, but do not amount to a threat as alleged by the NDP.

Khan maintains he did not mean anything hateful and his full comments were not picked up in the recording, while Asagwara says Khan is unfit to serve in elected office.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 7, 2026.

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press