The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for greater transparency from the provincial government in disclosing information. On Tuesday, the Opposition introduced Bill 638, meant to amend the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Speaking to media, NDP MLA Jordan McPhail said it would grant the privacy commissioner more power to compel governments to release documents and remove fees associated with freedom of information requests. “This is just a government that, after 20 years in power, doesn’t believe that they have to answer to the people of this province,” he said. “Whether it be access to information from the Official Opposition, or from members of the media or just members from the public, this is a government that’s allergic to transparency. The people of this province, they deserve to know why the government is making decisions they’re making.” McPhail blasted the provincial government over a lack of accountability surrounding initiatives like the provincial coal plant refurbishment, the construction of the Sherwood Data Centre and the Global Transportation Hub. The Opposition MLA said the party received 1,500 pages from the government about the coal refurbishment plant that were completely redacted. Additionally, McPhail said the NDP has received a quote for $107,000 from the province to access information related to flood risk assessment for rural areas. The bill would also enact some of the following measures if passed. “We’ve seen over 20 years of this Sask. Party government continually try to cover up and lie about the challenges that we see across the province of Saskatchewan,” McPhail said. “We think it’s time for change here in the province of Saskatchewan, which is why Carla Beck and the Saskatchewan NDP and I had the honour of introducing this bill here today that will blow a hole in that government’s corruption, mismanagement and waste here in the province.” Justice Minister says Sask. has ‘high rate’ of compliance During Thursday’s legislative sitting, Justice Minister Tim McLeod said the province’s commitment to transparency, privacy and allowing the public to obtain information and records is longstanding. “In 2025-26 under this government, access to information requests were granted either in whole or in part, if the records existed, over 93 per cent of the time,” McLeod said during question period. “Saskatchewan’s overall rate of compliance with recommendations from the office of the information and privacy commissioner remains incredibly high relative to other jurisdictions.” McLeod further defended the fees associated with providing records and information sought through FOIs, noting the time, effort and paper generated, depending on the size of the request. “Those costs must be borne,” he said. “If the Opposition have requests, they will pay for the paper that’s necessary to provide.” The justice minister also questioned the Sask. NDP’s own record of transparency and cited a failing grade that the party received from the national Freedom of Information Audit in 2005. “The Opposition, when they were in government, received a Grade of F — 44 per cent or below — from the national Freedom of Information Audit,” McLeod said. “At that time, the Information and Privacy Commissioner said that the NDP had ‘a somewhat relaxed approach to access and privacy.’ Mr. Speaker, it would seem that they also have a somewhat relaxed approach to applying the actual facts to their narratives.”
