'I like having SaskTel public:' People react to possible sale of the Crown corp.

It has at least been a distraction from the Riders’ dismal record.

Premier Brad Wall has everyone talking as he admitted he would consider a sale of SaskTel if the right offer were made. He said it must be financially worthwhile, protect jobs and improve coverage.

But reaction to the suggestion is mixed.

On the streets of Regina, not everyone believes SaskTel should be sold.

“SGI, SaskEnergy, I like having the water public, I like having SaskTel public, I like the services they provide,” said one man.

But the woman alongside him disagreed that SaskTel’s monopoly has benefited customers.

“I am not pro-privatization but I have not had good experiences with the company and I think that is because there is such little choice,” she said.

The NDP are prepared to fight against any potential sale, arguing the Crown was built by the people and its future should be protected.

“It generates massive amounts of money to the province of Saskatchewan and that is dollars that would otherwise have to be made up,” stated Trent Wotherspoon, interim leader of the Saskatchewan NDP.

Wotherspoon believes the government should have talked about a potential sale of the Crown during the election.

The possibility of selling off the Crown is also generating a lot of talk on social media. People commenting on Facebook have mixed reactions with some arguing in favour of privatization, and others saying that the private companies will not lower rates or improve service.