Sask. Party leaving rural and northern families digitally isolated

REGINA - Today, in response to SaskTel’s annual report, Official Opposition Critic for SaskTel Trent Wotherspoon called on the Sask. Party government to address the lack of internet and cellular services outside Saskatchewan’s larger urban communities.

“Cellular and internet services are essential for safety, community cohesion and economic prosperity in 2022,” said Wotherspoon. “Yet the Sask. Party is pulling money from SaskTel that they should be investing in rural and northern connectivity to pay for their government’s fiscal mismanagement.”

SaskTel reported a net income of $104.4 million for the 2021-22 fiscal year. Yet the Sask. Party government still took dividends of $94.0 million from SaskTel despite the Sask. Party government raking in resource revenues of over one billion dollars more than forecasted in their budget.

“Saskatchewan rural and northern families, farms, communities and small businesses are stuck in virtual isolation,” said Wotherspoon. “The money is there to connect our province and SaskTel is an incredible asset to make this happen. What’s missing is political will and responsible fiscal management.”

The Official Opposition calls on the government to bypass pulling a dividend from SaskTel this year and the next and reinvest these funds to make rural and northern connectivity happen.

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