He said he disagreed with a recent attempt to pass legislation to loosen restrictions on Crown corporations. Bill 40 has had its second reading and is now at the committee stage.

“Currently in Saskatchewan, as the law sits, the government can’t privatize those major Crowns without first going to the citizens in a referendum or plebiscite. But they brought in Bill 40 and what that bill allows the government to do, is it allows them to sell up to 49 per cent of any Crown corporation in Saskatchewan without going to a plebiscite,” Hubich explained.

Hubich said the bill will be read a third time, possibly in the upcoming spring session of Parliament.

Prince Albert MLA Joe Hargrave said few have voiced their concerns to him on the issue of privatization.

“I get some organized form letters on it, but I don’t think that’s an individual constituent,” he said.

Hargrave commented on the town hall meeting after a speaking engagement at the Prince Albert Rotary Club, Monday. In regards to Bill 40, Hargrave said 49 per cent is the most the government could privatize a particular Crown.

“If all of a sudden SaskTel was to join up with another company and become the third or fourth largest carrier in Canada, with a head office in Saskatchewan employing Saskatchewan people and bringing additional revenue for Saskatchewan, is that a problem? I don’t think so,” he said.

Hargrave said the government must always be looking at new ways to grow the province.

The town hall meeting will take place at the Prince Albert Union Center on Eighth Street East at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

swallace@panow.com

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