CTV and CBC Veteran Reporter Lands $387K Role Leading Manitoba’s U.S. Trade Office
A former reporter for CTV and CBC has been appointed as the head of Manitoba’s U.S. Trade Office in Washington, D.C. Richard Madan now holds a significant annual salary of $387,000, which surpasses the earnings of both Manitoba’s Premier Wab Kinew and Winnipeg’s Mayor Scott Gillingham.
Richard Madan’s Role and Salary
Madan, who began his role in June, is tasked with fortifying ties between Manitoba and U.S. officials across various sectors. The salary he commands is notably higher than Kinew’s $195,936 as premier and Gillingham’s projected $223,338 as mayor.
Key Responsibilities of the Trade Office
The trade office aims to protect Manitoba’s interests in international agreements and enhance collaboration with industry leaders. Since his appointment, Madan has:
- Met with local Manitobans
- Assisted the agricultural sector with U.S. country-of-origin labeling
- Handled trade issues, including a U.S. investigation into Canadian mushrooms
- Encouraged participation in renegotiations of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement
- Initiated a Capitol Hill “advocacy day” for Manitoba
Political Reactions and Concerns
Opposition Leader Obby Khan has expressed discontent over Madan’s appointment and salary. He criticized Madan as a “CBC buddy” of Kinew and labeled the salary as “outrageous” considering it is comparable to the Prime Minister of Canada’s pay.
Khan stated that Madan has yet to secure any trade deals for Manitoba. He argued that hiring a seasoned trade representative or a lobbying firm would have been more beneficial for the province.
Comparative Salaries in Context
The premier’s office responded by highlighting that Madan’s compensation aligns with salaries for similar roles in other provinces. For instance, Ontario’s David Paterson, a high-profile trade representative, will receive $364,000 this year, alongside a substantial lobbying budget.
Background of Richard Madan
Richard Madan has a notable background in journalism. He has worked for:
- CBC Manitoba for four years
- CityTV in Toronto for six years
- CTV in Ottawa and Washington for 14 years
His extensive experience in Washington, where he covered significant political events for almost a decade, has contributed to his current role. Madan believes he can leverage his connections to facilitate profitable opportunities for Manitoba.
Transparency and Information Requests
The disclosure of Madan’s salary followed a request from CBC News under freedom-of-information laws. Despite efforts to obtain information on the trade office’s budget, including travel expenses, the record had not been released as of mid-October.
