NDP refers Sask. Party MLA Kevin Weedmark to conflict of interest commissioner

The NDP has referred a Saskatchewan party MLA to the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, alleging that Moosomin representative Kevin Weidmark has broken multiple legislative rules. The optics, they couldn't be worse. On Tuesday, the NDP provided media with a copy of its 39-page letter to the commissioner. The document alleges multiple breaches, many of which are linked with Weidmark's ownership of the Moosomin-based newspaper, The World Spectator. The NDP says the weekly paper published government advertisements despite a rule that prohibits MLAs from entering into contracts with the government. You can't enter into government contracts, and even if you're exempted, you have to disclose them. None of that is happening here. The NDP also say Weedmark took a staff member at the World Spectator on a private jet to attend government announcements, alleging Weedmark used his private business to subsidize his public office. Weidmark has previously said he paid for the jet out of his own pocket, but the NDP now claim the jet was provided at a below-market rate, potentially breaking rules about MLAs accepting extra benefits. Because there's no telling where Kevin the MLA ends and Kevin the media baron begins. Because Kevin Weidmark has refused to sit down and do an interview with media or answer any of my questions. He has now put the public in the position of wondering, well, hmm, I wonder if that was legitimate. Weidmark did not agree to an interview, but in a statement issued by the Saskatchewan Party, the MLA denied any wrongdoing. He produced a letter from the office of the legislature's speaker, which cleared the World Spectator to run government advertisements because it is the only weekly newspaper in the Moosomin region. Weidmark also provided a letter from the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, which cleared his use of a private jet. The Conflict of Interest Commissioner says he's received the referral and will determine if it meets the bar for an investigation. Alexander Kwan, CBC News, Regina.