Manitoba's minister of accessibility apologizes for comments about ASL 'interpreter's hand movements'
Manitoba's minister responsible for accessibility Nahanni Fontaine has apologized after she groused on hot mic about sharing the stage with an American Sign Language interpreter.
At a graduation celebration on June 26, Fontaine spoke to her press secretary, Ryan Stelter, ahead of a media scrum. Fontaine, who is also minister of families and gender equality, complained of the interpreter being distracting during her speech, according to APTN's video of the exchange.
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Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Mess up, fess up, dress up,' properly done
Opinion It's a phrase that is likely familiar to anyone who has worked in the corporate world and undergone media/communications training: 'Mess up, fess up, dress up.' The succinct six-word slogan is an encapsulation of what needs to be done to restore public confidence after a major mistake or transgression has taken place. If followed swiftly and directly, it's strategy that can mitigate damage, reset intentions and allow for the error/misdeed to be left behind while still ensuring its implications are neither forgotten nor ignored. During the past week, NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns), the provincial government's minister of families and minister responsible for accessibility, has delivered an absolute clinic on the application of 'mess up, fess up, dress up.' It's an example politicians of all stripes would do well to observe and, should the need ever arise, emulate. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine Here's how it breaks down: Mess up: the mistake has been made. In Fontaine's well-documented case, while speaking at a June 26 graduation ceremony for Indigenous women, the minister was caught complaining about having to share limited space onstage with an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. The unfortunate and ill-considered 'hot mic' comments were captured and later broadcast by the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), resulting in immediate backlash, including demands from the deaf community for government action to combat audism — discrimination against people who are deaf or hard of hearing — and calls from the Opposition Progressive Conservatives for Fontaine's removal from cabinet. Fess up: own up to the mistake. Upon the release of the recording of her comments, Fontaine issued numerous apologies, both verbal and written, directly to the affected parties and to the public at large. She also told the Free Press her office was reaching out to community organizations to listen and learn. (The process of limiting damage and repairing relationships was almost derailed by the revelation that APTN journalists had been blocked from following Fontaine on social media in the wake of the broadcast of her comments; to her credit, however, upon learning of social-media snub, the minister immediately directed her staff to reverse the decision). Dress up: declare publicly what will be done to correct the mistake and ensure no such wrongdoing occurs in the future. Last Sunday, Fontaine followed her earlier apologies with a social-media post announcing she and her staff will undergo deaf and deaf culture training 'to deepen our understanding, confront gaps and ensure our actions reflect true respect and inclusion, not just intention.' Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. The statement, delivered alongside an ASL interpreter, also included a pledge to appoint a deaf or hard of hearing 'matriarch' to join the Matriarch Circle of advisers, hire a dedicated ASL interpreter for all government departments and introduce amendments to the Accessibility for Manitobans Act to enhance protections for the deaf and hard of hearing community. 'I take full responsibility for my words, full stop,' she said in the social-media post. 'I'm human. I made a mistake, but I will do better and I will keep showing up and continue the work of building a truly inclusive Manitoba for everyone.' By promptly following the 'mess up' with what appears to be a sincere effort to fess up and dress up, Fontaine has effectively put a lid on what otherwise could have developed into a controversy with the potential to damage the NDP government. While it remains to be seen how fully the minister follows through on her promises, she has laid the groundwork for a positive outcome after an unfortunate and unnecessary misstep. And in so doing, Fontaine has provided a teachable moment for politicians everywhere.
Global News
6 days ago
- Global News
Manitoba cabinet minister apologizes again for sign-language interpreter comments
The Manitoba government is promising new financial penalties to enforce rules aimed at removing barriers for people with disabilities. Nahanni Fontaine, the minister responsible for services for people with disabilities, says the NDP government will introduce changes to the Accessibility for Manitobans Act next spring. In a video posted to social media, she also says the government will work to ensure every public event is fully accessible with participation from sign language interpreters. Fontaine has apologized repeatedly for remarks she made last month while hosting a celebration for Indigenous women graduates in Winnipeg. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy While preparing to speak to reporters after, Fontaine told one of her staff that she was thrown off by a sign-language interpreter's presence and that the woman should not have been on stage. Premier Wab Kinew has stood by Fontaine and said she has apologized and is working with the Deaf community. Story continues below advertisement Fontaine promised to go beyond an apology. 'My team and I will undergo deaf and deaf-culture training to deepen our understanding, confront gaps and ensure our actions reflect true respect and inclusion,' Fontaine said in a social media video posted Sunday.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba cabinet minister apologizes again for sign-language interpreter comments
WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government is promising new financial penalties to enforce rules aimed at removing barriers for people with disabilities. Nahanni Fontaine, the minister responsible for services for people with disabilities, says the NDP government will introduce changes to the Accessibility for Manitobans Act next spring. In a video posted to social media, she also says the government will work to ensure every public event is fully accessible with participation from sign language interpreters. Fontaine has apologized repeatedly for remarks she made last month while hosting a celebration for Indigenous women graduates in Winnipeg. While preparing to speak to reporters after, Fontaine told one of her staff that she was thrown off by a sign-language interpreter's presence and that the woman should not have been on stage. Premier Wab Kinew has stood by Fontaine and said she has apologized and is working with the Deaf community. Fontaine promised to go beyond an apology. Currently on hiatus A review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe. 'My team and I will undergo deaf and deaf-culture training to deepen our understanding, confront gaps and ensure our actions reflect true respect and inclusion,' Fontaine said in a social media video posted Sunday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025.
