REGINA — The federal government is brushing off pressure from Saskatchewan to release old RCMP intelligence files on Tommy Douglas.

The Saskatchewan legislature had unanimously passed a motion calling for the release of documents on Douglas, who is widely credited as the father of Canada's public health-care system.

Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says in a letter to the Saskatchewan NDP that it will not disclose any more documents than have already been released.

Toews says there are national security issues, adding that the case is still before the courts and further comment would not be appropriate.

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter says he's disappointed with the decision but he won't assume that the letter means Ottawa will reject the motion forever.

The now-defunct RCMP security service shadowed Douglas - a former Saskatchewan premier and federal NDP leader - for three decades, attending his speeches and eavesdropping on conversations.