Majority of Sask. Party candidates back release of probe’s full findings
A majority of Saskatchewan Party leadership candidates say they would not have a problem with the party releasing the full findings of an internal investigation, which could shed light on allegations that debate questions were leaked to a candidate.
Scott Moe and Gord Wyant — both of whom signed the complaint that triggered the probe — and Ken Cheveldayoff have now said they would not object to the party releasing the document, which has been described as “more substantive” than its public statements on the matter.
The party’s leadership election oversight committee, however, is not budging. Sask. Party executive director and committee chair Patrick Bundrock said Friday in a text message that the seven-member committee “considers this matter closed and our position has not changed.”
“I can’t think of any circumstances at this time that would cause the (committee) to change its mind,” said Bundrock, who has so far refused to elaborate on what additional findings are contained in the closely-held document.
The party launched its investigation in December after receiving the complaint signed by Moe, Wyant and Tina Beaudry-Mellor. It subsequently concluded that while the investigation failed to uncover “direct evidence” of a leak, the complainants’ concerns were justified.
Bundrock acknowledged this week that the full report, which was only distributed to a few people, contains information beyond what the party released publicly. He said each of the complainants was provided with a response and he was “okay” with the situation.
In a statement released Thursday, Moe’s campaign said the complaint was made because anything that threatens the integrity of the Sask. Party’s leadership race should be investigated and that his campaign would not object to the document’s release “in the interests of transparency.”
Wyant echoed that sentiment on Friday, saying through a campaign spokeswoman that while he agreed to the party’s request that the report remain confidential, if the party chooses to release the document he “would welcome that so that everyone has the full story.”
Cheveldayoff said he had the opportunity to sign the letter of complaint filed last month but chose not to do so because he was not presented with the proof he needed to make such an accusation.
“I would have no problem if the report was released, but it’s not really something that involves me,” Cheveldayoff said, adding that he believes transparency and accountability are always important — a view that informed his decision not to sign the letter.
Tina Beaudry-Mellor this week described the probe as “a classic Supreme Court decision” that tried to please everybody involved and said the party’s processes should be “pristine.” Through a spokeswoman, she declined further comment on Friday.
Alanna Koch’s campaign also declined to comment. “The party has commented and we have nothing else to add,” a Koch campaign spokesman said in an email.
The complainants’ concern was based, in part, on a request for information about nurse practitioners sent to the health minister’s office by a senior official in Premier Brad Wall’s office. The candidates were asked about nurse practitioners at a debate in Weyburn one day later. Koch’s campaign confirmed it asked executive council to provide the information, but denied having prior knowledge of the questions.