NDP pushes for pipeline inspection reports to be made public in Saskatchewan

Oil is seen on the North Saskatchewan river near Maidstone, Sask on Friday July 22, 2016. Husky Energy has said between 200,000 and 250,000 litres of crude oil and other material leaked into the river from its pipeline. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

REGINA -- The Opposition is pushing the Saskatchewan government to release information about oil pipeline inspections.

NDP environment critic Cathy Sproule says she asked to see all inspections done on Husky pipelines since 2011, but the request was denied because the government is still investigating an oil spill from a Husky pipeline in July.

About 250,000 litres of oil mixed with a lighter hydrocarbon spilled into the North Saskatchewan River near Maidstone in July and cities that depend on the river for their supply had to close their intakes, conserve water and rely on other sources for several weeks.

"When will the Sask Party release these inspection records and finally work to restore people's faith in the pipeline inspection system?" Sproule asked during question period in the legislature Thursday.

Sproule also said there's no reason for the government to block reports on all other Husky pipelines, as well as other pipelines in the province.

Energy and Resources Minister Dustin Duncan said the government is looking at whether Husky is in compliance with regulations.

"When it is appropriate, after the investigation is complete, that information will be released along with all of the reports related to the investigation," he said.

Husky is expected to submit a full report within 90 days of the pipeline breach. That is expected to happen by Monday.

Duncan said the government's own investigation will need more time.

"I don't want to put a timeline on it because, obviously, we'll have to take the Husky information and any follow up that they're required to do and then formulate a report of our own."

The Ministry of the Economy said in September that it would be implementing a province-wide inspection of all oil pipelines that cross Saskatchewan rivers or lakes where a potential failure could pose a threat to municipal water supplies.

Inspections are currently the responsibility of pipeline operators.