REGINA — Saskatchewan is ramping up pressure on the federal government to release RCMP intelligence files dating back 65 years on Tommy Douglas, the socialist icon widely credited as the father of Canada's public health-care system.

A motion calling for the release of the documents got unanimous approval in the Saskatchewan legislature Thursday and will be sent to the Prime Minister's Office.

The now-defunct RCMP security service shadowed the former Saskatchewan premier and federal NDP leader for three decades, attending his speeches and eavesdropping on conversations. His links to the peace movement and members of the Communist Party were of particular interest.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service is blocking release of large parts of the dossier, citing national security. The service argues disclosure could endanger informants and jeopardize the spy agency's ability to conduct secret surveillance.

The battle over the Douglas intelligence file began in November 2005, when The Canadian Press made an Access to Information request for the RCMP dossier.

Some material in the file was eventually released, but the government refused to release a large portion and that decision was upheld by Canada's information commissioner.

Douglas's daughter Shirley, 76, said she was surprised that the RCMP found it necessary to trail her father.

"No one expected there to be so much trouble to get the files," said Douglas from her home in Toronto. "It would be beneficial to hear what people were worried about 65 years ago.

"Many people in the country have spoken to me about it and said they just couldn't believe that they would have files this long that they couldn't divulge."

Dwain Lingenfelter, leader of Saskatchewan's NDP Opposition, said people deserve to know the full story about Douglas.

He says the RCMP documents likely include some of the concerns that existed in the U.S. as Saskatchewan prepared to replace the user-pay health system that existed prior to medicare.

"There was opposition from the American Medical Association," said Lingenfelter. "Rather than them being fearful about the debate that went on and what was being done by individuals at the time, I think we should celebrate it. I think it's a big part of our history."

The Saskatchewan motion will be forwarded to provincial governments and opposition parties across Canada, Lingenfelter said. He expects that federal NDP Leader Jack Layton will bring the issue to Parliament.

"I think when they get this kind of a motion they will be positive in releasing the documents," said the NDP leader.

Saskatchewan Culture Minister Dustin Duncan, a member of the Saskatchewan Party Government who represents the riding that Tommy Douglas held in the province from 1944 to 1961, says it's important that all members of the assembly supported the motion.

"I think it's important that if possible, that this information be released," said Duncan. "Obviously CSIS has their reasons why they haven't released all the information.

"It has been more than 20 years since premier Douglas's death and that's generally the principle that CSIS follows in releasing the information."