KEVIN WEEDMARK REFUNDS TAXPAYERS FOR JOURNALISM GRANT HIS PAPER RECEIVED

KEVIN WEEDMARK REFUNDS TAXPAYERS FOR JOURNALISM GRANT HIS PAPER RECEIVED The Moosomin-Montmartre MLA Continues Hiding From Media As Questions Grow

REGINA – Today, more questions about embattled MLA Kevin Weedmark have been raised following the release of an article from Grasslands News about his privately owned and operated newspaper, The World Spectator.

The article confirms that Weedmark has now returned the portion of the federal grant that was used to pay his employee’s wages over the course of this past summer.

"Taking your newspaper employee — who also happens to be paid for through a federal subsidy — on $30,000 jet rides, so they can generate fabulous social media content while you perform your official MLA duties is peak Sask. Party entitlement,” said Shadow Minister of Health Meara Conway.

Recently, Conway raised concerns that a World Spectator employee whose wages were subsidized through the Local Journalism Initiative was repeatedly accompanying Kevin Weedmark on MLA business and performing functions that appeared more like political staffing and communications work than independent journalism.

“I’m not at all surprised to learn that there were concerns that the arrangement was not appropriate. I’m not at all surprised to hear those wages have been paid back," said Conway.

"This only reinforces why we have been demanding answers, and transparency on the issue in the first place.”

Even with this funding now repaid, serious questions linger about how Weedmark has used his newspaper while serving as an MLA.

In a detailed letter to the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Conway raised serious concerns that Weedmark had leveraged his newspaper’s resources for political purposes, from helping finance his election campaign, to giving privileged access to his own journalists at government events.

Despite multiple attempts by media outlets to speak with Weedmark to get answers about this growing scandal the Sask. Party and Weedmark have hidden from any public accounting.

“I'm not sure how any sort of unbiased reporting can take place when MLA Weedmark has made it very clear that he’s okay with blurring the lines between his role as an MLA and his role as the owner of The World Spectator," said Conway.

“Hiding and ducking the questions from other journalists doesn’t instill a whole lot of confidence in the public that you are being upfront and honest with the people. That said, transparency has never been a hallmark of this government.

"Attitudes like this are why the people of Saskatchewan are speaking out louder and louder to demand change."

-30-

Latest posts

BRIGHTON RESIDENTS LEFT IN THE DARK: CARLA BECK'S TEAM CALLS OUT MLA KEN CHEVELDAYOFF OVER PHANTOM SCHOOLS

SASKATOON— Carla Beck's team, joined by local Brighton resident Dr. Sarah Chomicki, is calling on Scott Moe to fulfill his government's broken promises and immediately get to work on a neighborhood school for the rapidly growing community of Brighton.

NEW DATA SHOWS THAT SASKATCHEWAN HAS THE HIGHEST CHILD FOOD BANK USAGE IN CANADA

Beck Commits To School Nutrition Program, Doing All She Can To End Child Poverty
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is sounding the alarms on new data showing more children in Saskatchewan are forced to rely on the food bank than anywhere else in Canada.

CARLA BECK GOVERNMENT WOULD RESTORE DIRECT-TO-LANDLORD RENT PAYMENTS AS MOOSE JAW FACES RISING HOMELESSNESS

More Affordable Housing, Rent Control Also Part Of Plan Being Developed By Beck’s Team
MOOSE JAW – Carla Beck’s team is in Moose Jaw today committing that, should they form the next provincial government, her team will restore direct-to-landlord rent payments for Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) clients.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM BRINGS PRIMARY CARE PLAN TO PRINCE ALBERT, GUARANTEES EVERY PERSON HAS A FAMILY PHYSICIAN

PRINCE ALBERT – Yesterday, Carla Beck’s team released the first phase of their plan to deliver big, bold changes in healthcare for Saskatchewan, which starts with prioritizing primary care. Today, MLA Keith Jorgenson, Associate Shadow Minister for Health, has brought the plan to Prince Albert to discuss how it can revitalize healthcare for residents in the area.

NDP Caucus Office