A former CTV and CBC journalist, Richard Madan, was employed by Wab Kinew’s NDP administration to oversee Manitoba’s trade office in Washington, D.C., at an annual salary of $387,000, according to the premier’s office announcement on Wednesday. This salary surpasses the earnings of both Kinew, who receives $195,936 as Manitoba premier, and Scott Gillingham, Winnipeg’s mayor, who earns $223,338 annually.
Madan, appointed in June, was tasked with enhancing Manitoba’s connections with U.S. elected officials, trade bodies, and industry leaders while safeguarding the province’s interests in trade pacts, as per Kinew’s office statement. Ryan Stelter, Kinew’s spokesperson, highlighted that Madan swiftly adapted to his new responsibilities, leveraging his extensive network in the U.S. capital.
Since assuming the role, Madan has engaged with Manitobans, assisted the agricultural sector in navigating new U.S. country-of-origin labeling regulations, addressed trade issues like the U.S. inquiry into Canadian mushrooms, and promoted citizen participation in discussions on the upcoming renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, Stelter revealed.
Additionally, Madan has initiated plans for a Capitol Hill “advocacy day” to showcase Manitoba’s food and mineral supply chains and contributions to Arctic defense to U.S. lawmakers. However, Opposition Leader Obby Khan has criticized Madan for his high salary and lack of tangible trade deals for Manitoba, contrasting it with the financial struggles many Manitobans face.
Defending the appointment, Kinew described Madan as a valuable asset with the necessary expertise and connections to represent Manitoba effectively in Washington, D.C. The premier’s office pointed out that Madan’s salary aligns with compensation for trade representatives in other provinces, citing Ontario’s David Paterson as an example.
Despite criticisms from Khan, Kinew reiterated his confidence in Madan’s abilities. Madan’s professional background includes stints at CBC Manitoba, CityTV Toronto, and CTV in Ottawa and Washington, before serving as a D.C. correspondent for CBC. CBC News pursued transparency on Madan’s remuneration through a freedom-of-information request, which as of mid-October, had not been fulfilled by Manitoba’s freedom of information laws.