FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release – October 28, 2008

Saskatchewan gov’t takes giant step toward privatizing Crowns

REGINA – The Administrative Vice-President of the union representing workers at SaskTel, SaskPower and SaskEnergy, says “the people of Saskatchewan will not be fooled by the spin the government has put on today’s announcement.” The Sask Party government is planning to exit out-of-province investments in Ag Dealer, DirectWest, Hospitality Network and the SaskTel Expansion Division. 

“Anyone with any business sense can see that the government is setting up SaskTel to fail,” says CEP’s Wendy Sol. “This is not about money. It’s about Premier Brad Wall living out his dream to privatize our province’s Crown jewels. Today’s announcement is a giant step toward that.”

“The KPMG study they are promoting was done in a total vacuum,” says Sol. “There has been zero consultation with stakeholders. Though, we’re not surprised by that,” she adds, “because that is how this government operates. They have not returned any of our calls.”

“But we are surprised by how short-sighted this decision is.  How can SaskTel possibly compete with other national telcos if it is confined to doing business within our provincial borders?  Meanwhile Telus, Bell and Allstream can compete in SaskTel’s backyard.

“Today’s announcement is bad news for the people of Saskatchewan, says Sol.  “It’s bad news for workers, as these divestments cause job loss. Revenues will go down and consumer costs will go up.

“Less than a year into their mandate, the Saskatchewan Party of Brad Wall are showing their true ‘blue’ colours.”

For more information please contact:

Wendy Sol Administrative Vice-President 203 – 275 Broadway Avenue Winnipeg, MB  R3C 4M6 Phone: (204) 988-1402 Cellular: (204) 791-2409 E-mail: wendysol@mts.net