Critics maintain an e-mail from the former deputy premier shows political interference, and are asking for an investigation to be carried out to find out what happened.
The request came after former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk was on the defensive, after the Wildrose Party accused the government of trying to control information.
The party said an e-mail shows a directive to interfere with Freedom of Information Requests.
It’s alleged press secretaries for government departments were told to gather information on potentially damaging FOIP requests and pass it on to then-deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk.
“If that isn’t political interference, I don’t know what is,” Wildrose Opposition Leader Danielle Smith said Tuesday. “The fact that they think this is just a matter of course is every reason to believe they’re just not following their own policies and may not be following the law.”
Lukaszuk also tabled his correspondence with the Privacy Commissioner in the Legislature Tuesday, and told CTV News it was meant as information.
“My memo is very clear to that effect, and the commissioner’s response is very clear,” Lukaszuk said. “If I wanted to cover something up, I wouldn’t be speaking with the commissioner, who is the watchdog.”
On Wednesday, the NDP asked the Privacy Commissioner to investigate how the government handles FOIP requests.
NDP Leader Brian Mason said he was worried damaging information would have been removed by ministers.
“If a media outlet, MLA or member of the public requests information that may show that the government is involved in wrongdoing or simply very bad policy wasting public money, the public has a right to know that,” Mason said.
The Conservative Party said Wednesday that any requests Lukaszuk made in the e-mail were not put into practice – officials said ministers are given information from FOIP requests, but they don’t make changes.
With files from Serena Mah
