Opposition demands probe into Sask. premier's use of party email server
Brad Wall says first time he thought about email use was after NDP brought it up
Saskatchewan's NDP Opposition is calling for an investigation into Premier Brad Wall's use of a private email server.
The issue arose last week when the NDP obtained a document under freedom of information legislation in which Wall's email address had been redacted.
During question period on Monday, Wall said the email server he was using belongs to the Saskatchewan Party.
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"I've used it as long as I can remember. I think back prior to even forming the government and haven't really thought about much about it after," he told reporters on Monday.
Wall maintained that the server is secure, has never been breached, and the emails are accessible through freedom of information requests.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/skpoli?src=hash">#skpoli</a> Opp leader <a href="https://twitter.com/WotherspoonT">@WotherspoonT</a> says how do we, the public, know that your server hasn't been breached?
—@SLangeneggerCBCHe also said it's the law that all information gets transferred over to the provincial archives.
Wall said the first time he thought "earnestly" about his email use was when it was raised by the opposition.
"I indicated last week that I would no longer be using that for any government business and I won't."
"I have no problem in being more disciplined and focused about using the one account," said Wall.
He explained he has multiple email accounts to manage, but said he's never directed someone to email him at his Sask.Party server rather than his government one to circumvent freedom of information laws.
Political email use 'deeply disturbing'
NDP interim leader Trent Wotherspoon calls the premier's use of his Sask. Party email "deeply troubling."
"This is taking information that's been paid for by the public. That's supposed to serve the people of Saskatchewan and marrying it completely with a political server," Wotherspoon said.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/skpoli?src=hash">#skpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PremierBradWall">@PremierBradWall</a> notes his email will be archived as per the rules. His server has been more consistent than govt's for reliability
—@SLangeneggerCBCHe believes that a full investigation into that Sask.Party server by the privacy commissioner and conflict of interest commissioner needs to happen.
"The 'just trust us' approach that the premier's suggesting is not on. The people of Saskatchewan deserve answers on this front," Wotherspoon said.
With files from Stefani langenegger