For decades, Saskatchewan people have benefitted from a strong and innovative publicly-owned Crown sector, which helps to build a strong economy and healthy communities across the province.

Crowns help young people build their careers right here; over 11,000 people are currently employed in Saskatchewan’s Crown sector.

Crowns help strengthen Saskatchewan businesses by providing reasonable and predictable utility rates, by purchasing goods and services from over 20,000 local suppliers, and by forming significant partnerships with local businesses. In 2007 alone, Crowns contributed over $2 billion to our communities through local purchasing.

Crowns help support our communities. Last year, Crowns made over $600 million in capital spending in our communities, and provided almost $7 million worth of sponsorships to Saskatchewan-based charities, non-profit organizations and community events.

And what’s more, Crowns return hundreds of millions of dollars every year to their owners – the people of Saskatchewan – by helping to pay for the healthcare, education, social programs and infrastructure which make our province great.

Despite their many benefits, the Saskatchewan Party don’t believe that Crowns should ‘compete’ with the private sector. Already, they have admitted that as government they will “impose their views on the Crown corporations”. And now Saskatchewan people are bracing for utility rate increases, even though our Crown sector is posting healthy profits and the government is sitting on a mountain of money.

Saskatchewan New Democrats are proud of the role we have played in building and protecting a vibrant Crown sector for our children and for generations to come.