In what might be called a defining moment for Manitoba’s newest government, Premier Wab Kinew has confirmed that his cabinet minister who complained about a sign language interpreter will remain in her position despite growing calls for her dismissal.
The controversy erupted last week when Uzoma Asagwara, Manitoba’s Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care, expressed frustration about an American Sign Language interpreter who was present for a funding announcement. According to individuals familiar with the incident, Asagwara reportedly asked why the interpreter needed to be in camera view during the press conference.
“I’ve spoken with the minister. They’ve expressed regret for how things unfolded,” Kinew told reporters yesterday at the Manitoba Legislature. “We are committed to accessibility and inclusion across government, and this situation has provided an opportunity for all of us to recommit to those values.”
The incident quickly sparked outrage from accessibility advocates across the province. The Manitoba Association of the Deaf issued a statement calling the minister’s comments “deeply concerning” and emphasizing that visibility of interpreters is essential for deaf and hard-of-hearing Manitobans to access government information.
Asagwara, who uses they/them pronouns and made history as Manitoba’s first Black, queer cabinet minister, has since apologized, saying, “I sincerely regret my comments, which did not reflect my values or our government’s commitment to accessibility.”
For Kinew, who took office just last October after defeating the Progressive Conservatives, this represents an early test of his leadership and the NDP government’s stated commitment to inclusion. Kinew came to power promising a more compassionate approach than his predecessors.
“When mistakes happen, what matters is how we respond and what we learn,” Kinew said. “Minister Asagwara has taken responsibility, and we’re taking steps to strengthen our accessibility practices across government.”
According to government sources, the incident has prompted an internal review of accessibility protocols for government announcements. The premier indicated his office would be consulting with disability advocacy organizations to improve practices moving forward.
Opposition Leader Heather Stefanson seized on the controversy, calling it “shocking hypocrisy” from a government that “campaigned on inclusion.” In a statement to the Manitoba Free Press, Stefanson demanded Asagwara’s resignation, saying, “Manitobans deserve better from their Health Minister.”
Political analyst Cameron Wright from the University of Manitoba suggests this incident presents both challenge and opportunity for the Kinew government.
“How they navigate this will say a lot about their governance style,” Wright said. “They’ve positioned themselves as champions of inclusion. Now they need to demonstrate those aren’t just talking points.”
Recent polling from Probe Research shows the NDP still enjoying a post-election honeymoon, with 48% support among decided voters. But Wright cautions that early missteps can sometimes define new governments.
Disability advocate Jennifer Rodrigue from Barrier-Free Manitoba was measured in her response. “What matters now is action, not just apologies,” she said. “Will this government meaningfully engage with our communities and strengthen accessibility requirements? That’s how we’ll judge their response.”
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in accessing public information. According to Statistics Canada, approximately 357,000 Canadians identify as culturally Deaf or use sign language, with thousands more requiring interpretation services for essential communications.
For Kinew, the incident represents an early challenge to his leadership image. During last fall’s campaign, he frequently emphasized his commitment to building a “Manitoba for all,” specifically highlighting improved services for marginalized communities.
“Our government is committed to learning from this,” Kinew stated. “Minister Asagwara has my confidence, and together we will ensure our actions demonstrate our values of inclusion and respect.”
As Manitoba’s first First Nations premier, Kinew has spoken frequently about the importance of breaking down barriers. He now faces the task of rebuilding trust with accessibility advocates while managing internal party dynamics in a caucus still finding its footing in government.
The premier indicated his office would be announcing new accessibility initiatives in the coming weeks, though details remain unclear. Meanwhile, Asagwara is expected to meet with representatives from the deaf community to discuss concerns directly.
For many Manitobans, the government’s response to this incident will serve as an early indicator of whether Kinew’s NDP government truly represents the change they promised during last year’s campaign.
