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WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government defended its trade representative in Washington, D.C., on Monday as more details emerged about how much taxpayers are providing the consultant.
Former television reporter Richard Madan was hired in June to help promote Manitoba’s interests in the U.S. and fight tariffs and other trade measures imposed by the U.S. administration.
The Manitoba government said in October that Madan would collect an annual salary worth $387,000 in Canadian funds, as part of an overall $800,000 budget for the Washington office in the fiscal year.
Madan’s contract, obtained by the CBC through a freedom of information request, shows his consulting company is being paid US$350,000 — worth about $480,000 in Canadian funds.
The contract says the amount includes expenses linked to local travel and parking in and around the U.S. capital. The extra money also covers health insurance, pension costs and conference fees, the premier’s office said in a statement Monday.
The contract allows for a further US$37,000 each year for expenses related to hospitality, diplomacy and other items.
The Opposition Progressive Conservatives said Madan has been collecting more money than was previously revealed.
“The NDP, clear as day, misled Manitobans,” Opposition Leader Obby Khan said.
There has also been no evidence that Madan, who has no trade background, has landed any new trade deal, Khan said.
Finance Minister Adrien Sala said Madan has been doing important work and meeting with Canadian industry officials and people in the U.S. government, although he did not provide specifics.
“Richard’s job involves spending a lot of time with stakeholders, ensuring that Manitoba’s voice is present when decisions are made,” Sala said.
One event Madan has helped plan is a “hill day” where Manitoba companies can connect with policy-makers in the U.S., Sala said.
The overall $800,000 budget for the office in Washington remains unchanged, Sala added.
Documents obtained by The Canadian Press show Madan’s calendar in his first few months on the job included meetings with unspecified “government officials” in D.C., media interviews, regular conversations with Manitoba government officials and meetings with people whose names were redacted.
The documents, obtained under freedom of information, also show there have been regular progress reports on the D.C. office’s activities. The details are mostly redacted, but include joining a Manitoba delegation at the State Agricultural and Rural Leaders Summit in New Orleans in early January.
The trade office, located in the Canadian embassy, fully opened in November, and a research and scheduling assistant was hired a short time later, the reports show.
The reports also show the D.C. office has been given priorities, an outreach strategy and deliverables, but all specifics have been redacted.
On Monday evening, the government shed more light on Madan’s activities.
“Since his appointment, Madan has met with more than 30 U.S. lawmakers, in addition to engaging with senior Canadian officials,” read a written statement from the NDP government’s cabinet communications office.
“The current sensitivity of the Canada-U.S. political climate requires confidentiality when engaging with top U.S. lawmakers. Other provincial representatives and the (Canadian) ambassador follow this diplomatic rule. What we can say is that he has met with lawmakers in, for example, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Michigan and Iowa, who share similar regional trade ties in agriculture, arctic, defence, critical minerals and northern border security.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2026.
Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press
