NDP want Pallister to follow Saskatchewan premier's lead on email

Manitoba's NDP Opposition says Premier Brian Pallister should follow the example of Saskatchewan's Brad Wall and stick to government email accounts.

Earlier this week, the Saskatchewan premier first said he would continue to use a private email account to do government business, but later his staff issued a statement saying he would use his government-issued account.

The issue surfaced in Saskatchewan when the Opposition there questioned Wall after receiving a document under freedom of information legislation in which the premier's email had been redacted.

• Sask. Opposition blasts premier for doing government business with private email

Wall initially responded that he would continue to use the personal account, saying, "I don't intend to change the practice."

Now Wall will use his government account for government work.

Follow Wall's lead — Manitoba NDP

Pallister said he has used several email accounts, but won't say specifically how he communicates with his staff or cabinet, while promising everything he does is secure, even from his vacation home in Costa Rica.

• Manitoba premier won't say how he communicates with staff while in Costa Rica

Minto MLA Andrew Swan said Pallister should take notice of the decision by Saskatchewan's premier and use a government email account for work. That would make those communications easier to find through freedom of information requests, Swan said.

Using government-issued mobile phones and emails makes politicians accountable, Swan said.

"When a premier or cabinet minister is communicating, there is a record that's made. It's a record that first has to be archived and kept by the province, but second of all, those are records that may be accessed under Freedom of Information requests as appropriate," Swan says.

The Opposition has filed a complaint with the Manitoba ombudsman's office over its difficulty finding out what government business Pallister is doing when at his Central American home. The result of a series of freedom of information requests looking for all international phone records, including phone bills, and email records during Pallister's trips to Costa Rica were denied on the grounds the records do not exist.

• Manitoba NDP file ombudsman complaint over Pallister's Costa Rica phone records

Pallister said he will review any the findings the ombudsman makes. He maintains the system of communications he uses to contact staff is safe, but has asked the clerk of the executive council of the legislature to review security.

• Pallister defiant on Costa Rica communications but will seek advice on security

Pallister told reporters this week his current communications system has prevented leaks of confidential information and should remain as it is for security reasons. Swan said that conclusion doesn't add up.

"The argument on security makes no sense at all. There is nothing more secure than using government email accounts, government phone. The idea you can get a Costa Rica AOL account and that is going to be somehow more appropriate for sending confidential emails is ridiculous," Swan said Friday.