Saskatchewan's minister of health survived an opposition motion Tuesday that would have removed him from cabinet while the legislature examined statements that landed him in hot water.

In a vote late Tuesday night, the measure was defeated 32-20 by the government, which rallied around Health Minister Don McMorris.

The provincial politicians were caught up in an intense debate over whether or not McMorris made misleading statements to the assembly, a serious violation of parliamentary rules.

At the heart of the issue is what McMorris said about privacy and patient records when discussing the Saskatchewan Party government's plans to allow the release of hospital patients' names to health foundations, so the foundations can solicit donations.

On April 12, McMorris told the assembly there had been four consultations with Saskatchewan's privacy commissioner about the matter.

The privacy commissioner, however, said three consultations with his office took place between 2004 and 2007, and that he did not see the new regulations until April 13, 2010.

"It was certainly never my intent to mislead," McMorris said outside the legislature when pressed by reporters. He said he simply meant that government officials had been in contact with the privacy commissioner.