The leader of Saskatchewan’s opposition feels this province needs to follow the example of Alberta and appoint an independent pipeline regulator.

Ryan Meili says the Husky Oil Pipeline spill into the North Saskatchewan River is proof the current system isn’t good enough.

Meili says Saskatchewan needs an evidence-based approach to pipeline inspections and order the replacement of pipes considered unsafe.

Meili points to the investigation ordered by the SaskParty government after the 2016 spill of 225,000 litres of heavy crude.

The NDP leader feels it was a lack of enforcement that contributed to the spill after suggested infrastructure improvements were made to the company.

Meili says concerns included pipelines crossing waterways, buckling and geological changes in the area and points out at least ten changes were recommended in the regulations well before the incident.   He also says the alarm warning of the spill was ignored for over 20 hours.

The company was fined $3.8-million last month in Provincial Court.

Meili also advocates the Privacy Commissioner be able to force governments to respond to freedom of information requests considering they have been awaiting the release of reports on pipeline inspections for three years.

(CJWW)