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Bob Bymoen, president of the SGEU, writes:

Weeks ago, Brad Wall said his government was reconsidering Bill 40 — the law that allows up to 49 per cent of any Saskatchewan Crown to be sold off.

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Wall needs to do more than reconsider. He needs to commit to repealing Bill 40 — this month.

The legislature resumes on October 25, for Wall’s final sitting before he resigns. This is his last chance to avoid being remembered as the premier who put our Crowns on the auction block.

Saskatchewan people know that it would be a big mistake to sell our Crowns, in whole or in part.

We’ve already seen what happens when shares in a Crown are sold. In 2013, 69 per cent of Information Services Corporation (ISC) was sold. Before that privatization, 90 per cent of ISC’s profits went to the Saskatchewan treasury, to pay for roads, schools, firefighters, and other important services.

Since privatization, the provincial government has collected just 30 per cent of ISC’s profits. From 2014-2016, Saskatchewan has foregone $41 million in public revenues.

At this rate, by 2025, Saskatchewan will have foregone more revenue than it earned from the sale of ISC. Reliable income that could’ve helped Saskatchewan through these difficult times has been lost forever, thanks to the privatization of one of our Crowns.

If that mistake is repeated with a major Crown like SaskTel or SGI, the lost revenues will be far greater. It’s time for Brad Wall to serve the interests of Saskatchewan people, not corporate shareholders.

It’s time to repeal Bill 40.