Council called to fight Crown Corp. sales

Some Prince Albert residents have sent letters to their City Council calling for the local government to take a stand against the privatization of provincial assets.

During the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association convention earlier this month Premier Brad Wall said no options are off the table as the Sask. Party looks to reduce the province’s $1.2-billion deficit, including job cuts and unpaid work days for public sector employees.

Another option could come from the sale of Crown corporations like SaskTel, but the Premier said he will leave that decision to the people of Saskatchewan.

Nine Prince Albert residents responded to Wall by sending identical letters to City Council asking them to oppose any cuts and privatization of Crown assets.

The letters detailed concerns about the possible lengths the Province is willing to go to balance the budget.

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“I don’t like what I’m seeing from our provincial government,” the letters read. “Their privatization agenda and ongoing budget cuts are ultimately going to cripple our community and province. We cherish our Crowns and public services, and residents all over Saskatchewan rely on them every day.”

The letters said the public and City Council can’t stand idly by, and called on the locally-elected representatives to take action.

Mayor Greg Dionne said he’s going to side with the people on the issue. Dionne said he hadn’t made up his mind on where he stood on the issue of privatization until he heard how the people felt.

“I’m standing with them,” Dionne said. “I’m glad people are putting their letters in. They have a good point. Why would you sell off something when you are getting a great return on your investment?”

Dionne said he believes the provincial government will follow the will of the people if enough opposition is mounted against the sales.

“At the end of the day, we live in a democratic society,” Dionne said. “If the majority says no, that’s the route you have to go.”

Despite supporting the letter-writers, Dionne said there might be an argument for selling SaskTel, as the company is the last small, independent telecom provider in the country. Given the way technology is developing, Dionne said, the company might get swallowed up by giant corporations like Bell and Telus.

The letters will be presented at the upcoming Executive Council meeting Monday.

Jeff.Labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter.