The Saskatchewan NDP received an apology from the Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for not notifying an internal board about exemptions granted to Sask. Party MLAs regarding their conduct rules. NDP Opposition ethics critic Meara Conway disclosed Todd Goudy’s apology letter during a news conference on Friday. Conway expressed approval of the apology, stating that it was the appropriate action.
In the letter, Goudy acknowledged his failure to inform the Board of Internal Economy (BOIE) about his decision. The BOIE comprises Saskatchewan NDP and Saskatchewan Party MLAs, chaired by the Speaker, responsible for establishing regulations for elected officials. Goudy mentioned in his letter that he apologized for the oversight and promptly made the documents available to Board Members, intending to officially present them at the upcoming meeting.
The Saskatchewan Party has already shared copies of the exemptions with the media. These documents reveal that MLAs David Chan, Travis Keisig, Lori Carr, and Mike Weger were granted exemptions to publish their advertisements in The World-Spectator, a weekly newspaper in Moosomin, Sask., owned by Moosomin-Montmartre MLA Kevin Weedmark. Weedmark was also exempted from a rule prohibiting MLAs from engaging in contracts with the government, allowing The World-Spectator to feature government advertisements due to its regional significance.
Weedmark has not responded to CBC News for an interview, and the government has not commented on the issue. Conway, while appreciating the apology, raised concerns about the process and reasons behind the exemptions granted. She emphasized the importance of following proper procedures, informing the BOIE of any exemptions, and inquiring about potential undisclosed exemptions.
Conway highlighted that over $36,000 was disbursed to Kevin Weedmark’s newspaper for advertisements in the fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26. The NDP has referred the advertising matters and Weedmark’s private jet usage to the conflict of interest commissioner for potential investigation, pending the commissioner’s decision. The NDP plans to persist in seeking clarification from the government and its MLAs when the legislature reconvenes on October 27.