‘This is a dumb war’: Kinew says conflict in Iran an effort to distract from Epstein files

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew speaks about how the war in Iran is impacting the cost of living in Canada as his government tables its 2026 budget.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is accusing U.S. President Donald Trump of fuelling the war in Iran to distract from the millions of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, also referred to as the “Epstein files,” saying the conflict is driving up gas prices for Canadians.

In an interview with CTV’s Power Play with Vassy Kapelos on Tuesday, Kinew said there is a stark difference in gas prices from before and after the Middle East conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel began nearly a month ago.

“We had $1.07 gasoline before Trump decided to try and distract from the Epstein files. Now we got $1.73 gas in the city of Winnipeg,” Kinew said.

“This is not a just war, this is a dumb war, it needs to stop. That would help people with the cost of living.”

Kinew’s comments reference the long-standing public scrutiny and reporting surrounding Epstein, the late financier whose emails and documents seized by the U.S. government tie Epstein to Trump and other powerful figures in the political, business and tech world.

Trump has previously said he cut ties with Epstein years before the latter’s legal troubles.

Global energy markets have been volatile since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February, with Tehran responding by effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.

Benchmark Brent crude prices have fluctuated above US$100 per barrel in recent days amid uncertainty about the trajectory of the conflict.

When asked by Kapelos whether his province would consider another suspension of the provincial portion of the gas tax to help Manitobans with affordability, Kinew put blame squarely on Trump and the war.

“The number one way we can lower gas prices right now is to stop this war in Iran,” he said. “Donald Trump has no reason for this conflict. Nobody in Canada can explain it.”

Kinew also added that it “doesn’t make any sense” for Canada to be sending help to the Strait of Hormuz, saying it was “already open before this misguided war began.”

Speaking to Kapelos, the premier also took aim at both Canadian and American leaders, calling for an end to the war.

“I would flip it back on the folks in Ottawa and say, ‘let’s end the war in Iran,’ and I’d flip it back on the folks in D.C. and say, ‘let’s end the war in Iran,’” he said.

The comments came as Kinew’s government tabled its 2026 budget Tuesday, which focuses on affordability measures, including eliminating a provincial tax on food and increased health-care spending.

Kinew argued ending the conflict would ease cost-of-living pressures on both sides of the border.

“Guess who else would benefit? Americans. American consumers would benefit from a lower cost of living as well.”

With files from The Associated Press