Premier Wall says risk analysis in the works for SaskTel after MTS sale to Bell

REGINA – Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says he wants to know how vulnerable SaskTel is as the last provincially-owned telecommunications company.

Wall says the Crown corporation has asked for a risk analysis following the takeover of Manitoba Telecom Services (TSX:MBT) by Bell, known as BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE).

The premier says that sale will make SaskTel the only small regional player left standing and it has to share its infrastructure with private carriers.

He says he wants to know if the MTS takeover means anything in terms of SaskTel’s competitiveness.

The premier says the risk analysis does not mean the province is eyeing a move to sell SaskTel, which is protected under legislation.

Wall says he can’t sell SaskTel without campaigning on the idea, as was recently done with a plan to sell government liquor stores, or without having a referendum.