Media Release
For Immediate Release
November 20,2001
Wall Angered
By SaskTel Investment in Medicine Hat
Swift Current
MLA, Brad Wall and Official Opposition critic for the Crow
today said that
SaskTel's million dollar investment in a Medicine Hat company is a
slap
in
the face for Saskatchewan taxpayers, especially those who live on
the west side of the
province.
The
deal announced yesterday will see SaskTel "s wholly owned
subsidiary SecurTek invest over $1 million in All-Knight Security,
a Medicine Hat based business.
"NDP policies have already done enough for economic development in
Medicine Hat without this direct investment into a community that
poses our stiffest competition for people and businesses."
Wall said.
Wall said the deal
is especially disturbing because SecurTek has lost approximately
$2.8 million dollars in its first two years of government
ownership at the same time that it has been competing directly
with existing Saskatchewan businesses m the horn businesses.
"Not only is
the NDP prepared to use the tax dollars of Saskatchewan businesses
to set up competition to them, but they are prepared to lose money
to acquire more and more market share even if it means direct
investment in the Medicine Hat economy." Wall added. 'This is
unbelievable."
The
SaskTel investment in Medicine Hat comes only days after
SaskEnergy announced that it would invest $24 million in Mexico
and Chile. Wall said that in its plan to grow the province by
100,000 people in 10 years, the Saskatchewan Party has committed
to a moratorium on all such crown corporation expansions.
"Each
of these deals will be subject to a complete review under our
plan. Direct investments into Medicine Hat businesses that will
better enable SaskTel to compete with existing Saskatchewan
businesses are unacceptable" Wall concluded.
For More Information
Contact 778-2429
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