Saskatchewan’s Conflict of Interest Commissioner is being asked to make a determination on whether photos posted on social media by the NDP MLA cross any ethical lines.

MLA for Regina South Albert Aleana Young posted several photos at the cheese shop he owns — and now the government is accusing Young of using his position as MLA to promote his business.

A politician’s personal social media account often contains political messages as well as photos of places they have been and people they have met.

That also goes for Young, with the occasional family photo or cheese plate creations from Takeaway Gourmet, the Regina cheese shop he owns.

“I use my social media to talk about my job as an MLA, my tiredness as a mother, sometimes other sad things like running around the lake, but I also use it to talk about my job from time to time,” she told CTV. News.

The government believes Young used his position as MLA to promote his business.

He referred the matter to the state’s conflict of interest commissioner.

NDP MLA Meara Conway defended Young while also welcoming some guidance on social media rules.

“You know we have Aleana, she speaks proudly and openly about her small business. We have a prime minister who tweets from his tractor at harvest time from the Prime Minister’s account,” he defended.

“This is an issue that we are all interested in getting guidance on – so we welcome the commissioner’s investigation into this issue and will be very interested to see what guidance he can offer.”

The complaint is the first of its kind initiated by the government. Social media guidelines had not been considered before.

Any decision made by the conflict of interest commissioner will apply to all members of the legislature.