Manitoba earmarks $1 million annually for its U.S. trade office, which is $200,000 higher than what the NDP government had previously revealed, as per documents obtained by CBC News. The province has budgeted $1 million in Canadian dollars to cover expenses such as salaries, office space, and other costs for Washington, D.C., trade envoy Richard Madan and his assistant, according to an advisory note for Premier Wab Kinew in August 2025 and government email correspondences in January 2026.
Contrary to earlier statements by the NDP government citing a total annual budget of $800,000 for the Washington trade office, recent estimates for the 2026-27 fiscal year now range between $800,000 and $900,000. This $1 million allocation for Madan’s office is described as a precautionary measure to address unforeseen expenses.
Despite requests, the NDP government has not provided detailed information on provincial spending for the U.S. trade office. Notably, discrepancies emerged regarding Madan’s compensation, with initial figures being incomplete. A contract revealed that Madan receives $482,000 in consulting fees annually, along with potential additional expenses.
Moreover, government emails from January 2026 disclosed that $143,000 is allocated for Madan’s administrative assistant in Washington, D.C., and an additional $221,000 is designated for office rent at the Canadian embassy in the U.S. Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan expressed concerns about the fragmented financial disclosure process and emphasized the need for transparent budgeting practices.
The absence of a specific budget line item for the U.S. trade office in Manitoba’s budget documents raises transparency issues. The spending on the office is included within a $27.6 million grant assistance allocation under the “economic programs” budget. Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher highlighted the importance of detailed budget disclosures for public accountability.
Moreover, the NDP government has not disclosed past expenditures on the U.S. trade office, citing pending financial statements for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The government is expected to release its annual financial report by the end of September. Despite repeated requests for spending details, the government has declined to provide a breakdown of the office budget, citing confidentiality concerns.
Conacher criticized the government’s secrecy surrounding office spending, emphasizing the public’s right to access such information. Requests for expense details were repeatedly denied, with limited information provided, including hotel bills totaling $3,045. Madan declined to comment on the matter, redirecting inquiries to NDP cabinet communications officers.
