Former Manitoba minister Jeff Wharton faces fines for trying to approve a mine after losing office.

Former Manitoba cabinet minister Jeff Wharton admitted he tried to push for a silica sand mine approval after his party lost the election, believing he was within his rights. The provincial ethics commissioner found this violated conflict of interest laws and recommended fines for Wharton and two other senior Tories. Though the NDP government later rejected the mine due to water quality concerns, Wharton accepted the findings and apologized, but remains in the caucus.