Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew expands cabinet to aid accessibility, first responders

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has increased the size of his cabinet to focus more attention on accessibility issues and first responders.

Carla Compton, who represents the Winnipeg riding of Tuxedo, will be the new minister in charge of accessibility.

David Pankratz, the MLA for the Winnipeg riding of Waverley, will head up a portfolio focusing on helping first responders.

Kinew said Compton, a registered nurse, will be charged with doing more to help caregivers and those living with disabilities.

He said the position, previously part of Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine's portfolio, comes after a report released in June on accessibility called for specific minister to be appointed.

Fontaine faced criticism last year after she complained about sharing a stage with a sign language interpreter, but Kinew said that played no role in the change.

"Minister Fontaine's done a wonderful job on accessibility and building the relationships in those communities," Kinew said Monday.

"We now need someone to take the dedicated time to figure out how we can pull together the programs within families, but also across government, to make sure that people can lead rich, fulfilling lives."

Kinew also noted that Compton made history by winning the byelection in 2024 for Tuxedo, a riding that had long been a Progressive Conservative stronghold.

Pankratz, a former firefighter, is tasked with helping first responders across the board, including firefighters, police, and paramedics.

Kinew said Pankratz will work to improve help for first responders on everything from burnout to post-traumatic stress disorder.

"The toxic drug crisis has made jobs that were already difficult even more challenging for police officers, for paramedics, for firefighters, for other peace officers, and now we need to make sure that we are there for them," Kinew said.

The additions bring the size of cabinet to 20.

Robert Loiselle, MLA for St. Boniface, will serve as special envoy for military affairs, taking over duties previously held by Pankratz.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2026.

By Ian Bickis | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.