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Information on the SurveyGizmo website — the company that provided the government tools to create the survey — indicates IP addresses, alongside a person’s longitude and latitude, are pieces of information that can be collected through a survey, but a statement from SurveyGizmo Tuesday said IP addresses are not collected automatically.

“Each survey can be tailored according to the services offered at the plan level that is purchased,” the statement said, noting SurveyGizmo “did not construct this survey” nor does it “own the survey or the data.”

Saskatchewan NDP Justice critic and party leader Nicole Sarauer said she feels the consultation process has been flawed from the start, saying consultations should have started earlier and lasted longer.

She said it’s important that members of the public are confident their opinions and information are kept secure and properly represented. She feels the survey should be “re-done in a matter the Saskatchewan people can trust the results.”

“There’s a lot of concern about potential weaknesses in this survey and that needs to be taken seriously by the ministry,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s very important for the ministry to consult on this issue and consult widely, but they should have been doing it months ago.”

A second statement from Justice indicates the survey will remain open as it reviews the concerns, but said there’s no timeline in regards to when the review will be complete. It also noted while the ministry appreciates Spooner has brought his concerns forward “these concerns do not automatically invalidate the survey.”

The survey, which is open until Oct. 6, is only one tool the Government of Saskatchewan is using to consult on the legalization of recreational marijuana, with the statement noting: “multiple ministries have been consulting with stakeholders since the announcement of cannabis legalization.”

mmodjeski@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/MorganM_SP