Speaker apologizes for failing to disclose exemptions granted to Sask. Party MLAs

I was glad to see he apologized. I think it was the right thing to do. The NDP are touting an apology from the Speaker of the Province's Legislative Assembly, saying it's rare for Speaker Todd Goudy to have to acknowledge a mistake. In a letter released by the NDP on Friday, Goudy says he failed to inform the Board of Internal Economy after he granted exemptions to Sask Party MLAs for rules that govern their conduct. The Board of Internal Economy, or BOIE, is made up of NDP and Saskatchewan Party MLAs, and it's responsible for establishing conduct rules. Goudy describes his error as an oversight. The apology comes after the NDP have continued to criticize the conduct of Muscman Mowat MLA Kevin Weidmark. Documents shared by Weidmark show multiple Saskatchewan Party MLAs were granted exemptions so that they could advertise in the World Spectator, a weekly newspaper in Muscman that he owns. Weidmark was also granted an exemption to a rule that stops MLAs from entering into contracts with the government, allowing him to run government advertisements and political ads, because the World Spectator is one of the only newspapers in the region. It raises serious questions about where Mr. Weidmark's private business interests end and where his public duties begin. Weidmark has yet to agree to an interview with CBC News, and the government did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. The NDP welcomed the apology, but says it still has concerns about the exemptions. I would like procedure to be followed in the future. I would like the BOIE to be informed of any exemptions. I would like to know if any other secret exemptions have been granted. The NDP has referred the advertising issues, as well as a host of concerns about Weidmark's conduct, to the province's Conflict of Interest Commissioner. The office is still weighing whether it will investigate. But with the legislature set to resume at the end of this month, The NDP say it's prepared to keep demanding answers from the government. Alexander Kwan, CBC News, Regina.