The NDP government led by Wab Kinew has enlisted Richard Madan, a former CTV and CBC reporter, to head Manitoba’s trade office in Washington, D.C., at an annual salary of $387,000, as revealed by the premier’s office on Wednesday. Madan’s salary surpasses both Kinew’s earnings as Manitoba premier ($195,936 annually) and Scott Gillingham’s income as Winnipeg’s mayor ($223,338 by 2024).
Madan, who assumed the role in June, was tasked with enhancing Manitoba’s relationships with U.S. officials and industry leaders, safeguarding the province’s interests in trade agreements. Kinew’s office emphasized Madan’s swift integration into the position, leveraging his extensive network in the U.S. capital.
Since his appointment, Madan has engaged with Manitobans, aided the agricultural sector in navigating new U.S. country-of-origin labelling regulations, addressed trade challenges like the Canadian mushroom investigation, and encouraged participation in discussions regarding the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement renegotiation.
Additionally, Madan is coordinating a Capitol Hill “advocacy day” to showcase Manitoba’s food and mineral supply chains and contributions to Arctic defense. Despite these efforts, Opposition Leader Obby Khan criticized Madan’s appointment as overly lucrative and questioned his effectiveness in securing trade deals for Manitoba.
In response, Kinew defended Madan’s capabilities and highlighted that his salary aligns with industry standards, citing comparable payments to trade representatives in other provinces like Ontario. Khan suggested that Manitoba should consider hiring more experienced trade representatives or lobbying firms, drawing a parallel to Ontario’s approach.
Madan, a seasoned journalist with a background at CBC, CityTV, and CTV, expressed confidence in leveraging his connections and knowledge to benefit Manitoba’s trade efforts. The disclosure of Madan’s salary followed a lengthy inquiry by CBC News, which sought details on his compensation and the Washington office’s annual budget.
Despite the ongoing scrutiny, Madan’s tenure reflects a strategic move by the Manitoba government to bolster its trade presence in Washington, aiming to advance the province’s economic interests on the international stage.
