Our Blog
1
MAY
Nearly seventy years ago in 1944, the government of Saskatchewan passed the Saskatchewan Government Insurance Act, creating the provincial Crown Corporation, known today as SGI. Within a year, on May 1, 1945, Saskatchewan SGI officially sold its first policy. SGI was originally created to assist with problems in the Saskatchewan insurance industry, due largely to poor economic conditions that had forced private insurers to leave the province. According to SGI’s 2012 Annual Report, at the time of SGI’s creation, less than 10 per cent of licensed Saskatchewan vehicles carried any ins...
27
MAR
Thank you to everyone who came out to our 2013 AGM in Regina last night. The event was well attended by our members and guests from the community.Jennifer Britton, Coordinator of SOS Crowns provided a campaign update as well as overview of the state of Crowns in Saskatchewan – highlighting the areas that have been sold off and contracted out, as well as policy decisions that restrict Crown growth. Simon Enoch, Director of the Saskatchewan Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), gave an explanation of privatization initiates across Canada with respect to the continue...
21
FEB
After seven long years of research and reporting, an American cyber-security firm Mandiant Corp released a detailed report this week describing the continuous threats and attacks by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) electronic intelligence units on American and allied companies and government departments. Of the 141 companies that were listed as having been victim to data theft, 115 of them in the U.S. were alleged to be at the hands of a Shanghai branch of the PLA’s “cyber command” known under a few different names including Unit 61398, APT1, or the Shanghai Group.As Do...
20
FEB
SOS Crowns AGM - March 26
Topics:
AGM
SOS Crowns is excited to invite our members and the general public to join us in attending our Annual General Meeting.
WHEN - March 26th, 2013, 7:00pm
WHERE - 1122 Saskatchewan Drive, Regina (Tommy Douglas House)
If you are able to attend, please consider sending an RSVP to soscrowns@sasktel.net.
We look forward to seeing you there!
...
15
FEB
In the “new Saskatchewan” rates continue to rise. Today, the government announced that Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) will be applying to the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel (SRRP) to introduce a new tax that will be added to almost all drivers’ SGI insurance bills. If approved, the surcharge and accompanying rate changes would take effect August 31, 2013.In a news release, Danielle Chartier, NDP Critic for SGI stated, “The Sask. Party is asking you and your neighbours to pay bigger bills and more fees...What I’m hearing is that ratepayers are getting tire...
The Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) announced today that beginning May 18, 2013, rural passengers will have to plan a new way to travel as three STC routes will be cut including:
- Blaine Lake – North Battleford;
- Regina – Lanigan (via Nokomis and Watrous); and
- Eastend – Swift Current/Mossbank.
STC is a Crown that provides affordable and reliable transportation services between various Saskatchewan towns and cities. These service cuts come on the same day as the Sask Party announced it will strip $120 million more from Crowns in an attempt to balance their bu...
11
JAN
The StarPhoenix Editorial Board makes one valid point in its January 10, 2013 opinion piece “Politics worsen electrical woes” – the sooner we come to grips with reality, the sooner SaskPower’s problems can be fixed. The problem is the ideological decision making of the Government of Saskatchewan that undermines our Crowns evidenced by privatizing our power production and divided-stripping.Nearly 20 per cent of the power produced in the province in the coming years has been privatized through Power Purchase Agreements that take money away from the Crown and into pr...
7
JAN
Get out your cell phones and address books Saskatchewan....10-digit local dialing is headed our way. Starting May 11, 2013 all local calls in Saskatchewan, including local calls, will require an area code to be dialed.The introduction of 10-digit dialing comes from a decision by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decided to introduce a second area code in Saskatchewan. The new area code “639” will be assigned interchangeably to new landline and cellular numbers in the province with the existing “306” area code. This means that your ho...
13
DEC
Yet again the provincial government has approved a Crown rate hike - effective January 1, 2013, most customers will see a rate increase between $4 - $6 per month.Although the government claims that SaskPower has not raised rates since August 2010, they did take a $120-million special dividend. Money that could have been used to invest in infrastructure upgrades that are being cited as reasoning for this rate increase.When looking at rate increases, it is also important to consider the Crown utilities bundle that is offered to customers in Saskatchewan. Prior to 2007, our province was commited ...
20
NOV
Well the Sask Party government has done it again – yesterday a bill was introduced in the Saskatchewan legislature that will allow the government to privatize Information Services Corporation (ISC). The government cites the inability to invest outside of the province as reasoning for the privatization of ISC. Perhaps they need to conduct some research into why that cannot happen...and they need not look very far. It is in fact their own ideological Sask First Policy that restricts the investments of Crown Corporations, like ISC, and limits out-of-province investments.Since 2007, ISC has ...
20
NOV
News ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 20, 2012Government sets stage for ISC privatizationFollowing weeks of limbo for Information Services Corp (ISC), SOS Crowns is disturbed by the Sask Party government announcement to privatize up to 60 per cent of the Crown Corporation.Since 2007 ISC has posted nearly $100-million in net income, much of which is returned to the people of the province through dividends. In 2011, ISC’s annual report detailed the organization’s financial stability and healthy bottom line. However, the Crown has been unable to offer their services and expertise ...
5
NOV
SOS Crowns is very disappointed today with the government’s decision to further stifle the growth of our Crown Corporations, while allowing more opportunity for private companies. Less than two weeks ago, Premier Wall hinted that the government was considering privatizing any new liquor stores. As the population in the province continues to grow, so to has the demand for access to liquor stores. Currently, the Saskatchewan Liquor & Gaming Authority (SLGA) has 79 SLGA locations as well as 188 rural franchises. Most locations are open six days per week, with some locations also open on...
26
OCT
Fall session of the Legislature in Saskatchewan officially opened yesterday, with the government confirming that there will be big changes happening in the province with up to 40 pieces of legislation being introduced.A hot topic that has sparked debate in recent days is the government’s plan to introduce more private liquor stores in the province.The idea of privatizing Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming (SLGA), has almost always been quite controversial. Today in the province, those choosing to purchase alcohol have the option of purchasing from one of 79 SLGA locations or 188 rural ...
17
OCT
SOS Crowns is concerned for the future of Information Services Corporation (ISC) as the Sask Party government examines whether or not they will set the stage for privatization later this fall.Recently the government announced that a ISC is being evaluated by RBC to determine whether or not they will introduce legislation in the fall to begin the process of privatizing the Crown Corporation.Since 2007 ISC has posted nearly $100-million in net income, much of which is returned to the people of the province through dividends to Crown Investment Corporation (CIC), lowering the tax burden for all S...
12
OCT
We are sending big congratulations out to SaskTel and Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) for once again being names as two of Canada’s Top 100 Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc.SaskTel also takes home titles as a Top Employer for Canadians Over 40 for 2012 and Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2012. Some of the reasons that SaskTel was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2013 include:
one of the country's leading corporate citizens that provides an instructive example for others -- employees and retirees donate tens of thousands of volunteer hours every year in...
11
OCT
CBC News reported today that the Sask party government is considering the sale of another Crown Corporation, Information Services Corporation (ISC).Information Services Corporation (ISC) is the provincial Crown Corporation responsible for the administration of land titles, vital statistics, survey, personal property and corporate registries, as well as related geographic information.Current legislation in Saskatchewan prohibits the sale of any major Crown including utilities, however, ISC is not protected under the Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act. SOS Crowns will be following as this s...
11
OCT
News ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 11, 2012Threat to Saskatchewan security and privacySOS Crowns is concerned about our current government’s disregard for the privacy and security of Saskatchewan residents and businesses in their ongoing partnership with Chinese-based Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. Huawei has been under scrutiny around the world for a number of years for issues with intellectual property theft, security, and privacy concerns. Following a significant investigation by the United States government, Chinese-based Huawei has been deemed a security risk. In 2011 the ...
9
OCT
Yesterday we learned from CBC that the United States House Intelligence Committee is warning their own government, with a “blunt warning” for Canada to steer very clear of Chinese-based Huawei. Following a year-long investigation, Mike Rogers, chair of the U.S. House of Intelligence Committee stated, “"There are bugs, back doors going on in Huawei gear. We've had lots of reports of that happening in just the few places they are in, in the United States. And, I will bet my bottom dollar, as we say in the United States, that that activity is happening in Canada as well.”O...
6
OCT
Saskatchewan is a public of working people with a strong foundation of Crown Corporations. From Stony Rapids to Estevan, and everywhere in between, Crowns work for us every single day; our families, our friends, our neighbours. Our Crowns embrace our social responsibility by developing a diverse workforce, supporting our communities financially and through volunteerism and investing in Saskatchewan’s future and environment. When Crowns generate revenue it is returned to each and every one of us. We see this in our schools, our roads, our hospitals, and many other areas. When the go...
4
OCT
This blog is in response to a letter that appeared in the StarPhoenix on September 28, 2012 titled "Poor Service."SaskTel has spent decades building a telecommunications network in Saskatchewan that is second to none, but restrictions set out by CRTC do not allow our Crown to choose the rates that customer are charged for telephone service – urban or rural. Although SaskTel believes that every customer in Saskatchewan should have the same access to reliable and affordable service, we do not always have the ability to set those parameters. This is a similar situation with the decisi...
1
OCT
It seems as though the residential and business customers in rural Saskatchewan who require access to High Speed Internet services have been given a second chance by Industry Canada. Following two years of consultation with business, government, and residents, Industry Canada made the decision to change the way that spectrum, or radio frequency, is allocated between network providers across the country. This means that SaskTel would no longer be able to provide Wireless Broadband Internet (WBBI) service to rural customers across the province. Access to, and ownership of, the Canadian wir...
17
SEP
Earlier week, Premier Brad Wall and SaskTel President and CEO RonStyles ventured overseas to sign a significant new agreement withChinese-based Huawei.According to a SaskTel news release, the agreement encompasses a trial in atleast three rural communities in the province to "help determine thefeasibility of wireless broadband and voice services for customers inpredominately rural locations" as well as "the provisioning of equipment"for local landline service infrastructure. The trial period will begin inDecember of this year and continue until August 2013.SOS Crowns has a number of concerns a...
6
SEP
Later this fall, the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel (SRRP) will hold public meetings regarding the proposed rate increase at SaskPower that would take effect in the beginning of next year.Saskatchewan residents will have the opportunity to hear from SaskPower regarding the pending rate increases but you can also submit your personal comments in person, by mail, or electronically. The following meetings will be held:
Saskatoon – Sept 19, 1:30pm at the Delta Bessborough
Regina – Oct 2, 7:30pm at the Ramada Hotel
According to the rate application, SaskPower is “recommendi...
17
AUG
SOS Crowns recently learned that effective November 30, 2012, SaskPower will be closing the doors to the public in another 19 offices throughout the province. Walk-in customer service will only remain available in 5 locations including Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Yorkton, and North Battleford. Tens of thousands of SaskPower customers, both urban and rural, will no longer have the ability to make statement inquiries, book service calls or complete bill payments in their own community. In addition, the Regina cash payment drive through window will be closed permanently. Almost two years ag...
30
JUL
For those of you that have not had a chance to catch some of the newspapers throughout the province this month, here are a couple of articles involving our Crown Corporations that might be of interest to you:“Energy tale of two provinces” by Bruce Johnstone was printed in the Leader-Post on July 14, 2012. In a comparison between Saskatchewan and Alberta, Johnstone explains, “Remember when energy deregulation was all the rage? The old monopoly utilities were going to go the way of the dodo. In their place would be efficient, profit-driven private companies competing for consum...
11
JUL
This week SaskPower announced that they will be seeking a 4.9 per cent rate increase that would be effective at the beginning of next year if approved. Rural residential, farm, and commercial customers will be hit the hardest with the proposed increases, while all customers across the province will see some level of increase.In yesterday’s news release SaskPower noted, “The increase is needed to fund investments in the province’s electrical system to keep up with our growing economy and maintain electrical reliability.” The people of Saskatchewan should be asking themse...
4
JUL
It seems like more and more people around Saskatchewan are becoming concerned about the business practices of third party gas distributer, Just Energy. Only a few weeks ago, SOS Crowns brought up concerns of some SaskEnergy customers and asked Saskatchewan residents to send us information if they had been visited by this company as well. The stories came flooding in, many of which were from customers who were very upset and angry. One Regina resident explained, “the whole experience was VERY misleading. I do not appreciate being approached to switch my energy provider by a pers...
28
JUN
Recently, the 2011 Crown Corporation Payee Disclosure report was released, detail payments that Crowns have made to Board members, employees, suppliers, and sponsorships, among other things. The Payee Disclosure report has been a traditional tool of accountability and transparency for our Crowns. It also shows the immense reach that Crowns have within Saskatchewan, and one of the reasons that this province is a great place to live and make a living. One of the largest portions of the report is the employee compensation section for each individual Crown. Any employee that earns more than 50,000...
20
JUN
For decades, commercial and residential customers have had the ability to purchase natural gas through natural gas resellers, or otherwise called third-party gas distributors. Primarily it has been used by large, industrial customers with very little uptake from residential customers. Customers who choose to purchase their natural gas from a reseller are required to sign a contract that can only be created or terminated in November of each year. The confusing part for residential customers is that you still receive your regular SaskEnergy statement when you purchase gas from a reseller. These ...
4
JUN
Recently Premier Wall announced a cabinet shuffle and the creation of the Ministry of the Economy with the main purpose to make sure that “we can consistently implement our growth plan for the province” and to ensure the “government’s not getting in the way of growth.” With Bill Boyd now in charge of the new Economy portfolio, our question is this: will Crown Corporations be included in the province’s growth plan? For decades, Crowns have given Saskatchewan the advantage of being an affordable place to live and provides good jobs for nearly 12, 000 people.&n...
28
MAY
With the current government selling off bits and pieces of our power industry to out-of-province power companies, today we take a few minutes to look into Saskatchewan’s future power industry. Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s), in their simplest terms, are contracts with private power companies to supply power to the Saskatchewan grid. Many PPA’s are signed for ‘peak load’ power, which means that when Saskatchewan is using a high amount of power, SaskPower can purchase excess from these providers. In some cases, our government is actually signing agreements are fo...
14
MAY
As stated in Murray Mandryk’s column in the Leader-Post earlier this month, ‘Healthy Crowns can’t be privatized,’ it was very obvious how practical it is to maintain healthy Crown Corporations. Although it may be true that some businesses could function effectively in the private sector, it has been proven across Canada that privatization doesn’t benefit consumers over the long term. Consider the state of the electricity in Alberta, where consumers are being forced to pay for infrastructure upgrades, although the system has been deregulated for a decade. Edmonton ...
2
MAY
The results are beginning to roll in from our Crown Corporations about their performance and successes over the last year. It is undeniable that 2011 was an excellent year for Crowns in Saskatchewan, many posting higher profits than previous years. SaskPower posted record profits while SaskTel reached $1 billion in revenue for the sixth consecutive year.Crown Investment Corporation (CIC) predicts that 2012 will see a $273 million dividend to the provincial government, including a special dividend from SaskPower.What you might find in the fine print is that the government has increased Crown Co...
21
APR
Last year the government of Saskatchewan declared that April would be recognized as “Safe Digging Month” in the province “to increase public awareness on the importance of working safely around underground infrastructure.”However, there seems to be more and more stories about gas line hits in the news than ever before. Previously, Crowns including SaskTel, SaskPower, and SaskEnergy conducted their own line locates, which have all been contracted out to a private company. Christy Best, President of CEP Local 649 who represents members at both SaskEnergy and SaskPower, sa...
12
APR
Last week SaskWater’s annual report was released, posting their largest net income since becoming a commercial Crown Corporation in 2002.Highlights from the full report include:
--Net income of $3.5 million;
--$31.3 million in capital spending; and
--Supplied 34.1 billion litres of water: treated and untreated.
SaskWater currently serves 59 Saskatchewan communities, seven rural municipalities, 81 rural pipeline groups and a number of other business and individual residential connections.With SaskWater’s continued success, it consistenly provides safe and reliable water and wast...
3
APR
Hey Alberta, how is the deregulated power industry working these days? Not so great according to a recent article by Josh Wingrove in the Globe & Mail.
A popular topic of debate, the deregulation of AB's power, an undertaking of nearly a decade of political moves, has made it's way back into the media when power prices began to hit all-time highs. All of which is happening while the Sask Party government pieces away Saskatchewan's power industry.
Why is it problematic that our government continuously signs Power Purchase Agreements (PPA's) with out-of-province companies? ...
2
APR
Today we question a recent move by the current government which was conveniently left out of the budget speech last week.
Buried within departmental services when the government announced the most recent budget was an interesting move that seems to contradict their own basic ideologies--create a new Crown Corporation, or at least one with Treasury Board status. Of all the areas to go after, they choose tourism.
Tourism Saskatchewan has been operating as a separate entity from the provincial government for nearly two decades-which according to president and CEO LInda Haverstoc...
29
MAR
Following approval from the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel, the provincial government approved a SaskEnergy decrease yesterday that will take effect on April 1st.
The average residential customer who subscribes to equalized payments will see a monthly decrease of just over $6.00 per month.
SaskEnergy applied for the decrease in February stating low natural gas costs that are not expected to rise any time soon. This is the fourth consecutive price drop for the Crown Corporation....
23
MAR
After the government's decision to ax the film employment tax credit in the most recent provincial budget, the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry Association (SMPIA) is asking for support from the public.SMPIA’s President, Ron Goetz is asking for your voice to be heard by the government about “how the film industry has positively affected the lives of Saskatchewan people from the student getting a film degree at the University of Regina to the many, many everyday Saskatchewan people who understand the importance of jobs, investment, promotion, culture and creative expression.&rdq...
22
MAR
Two years ago, almost to the day, the Sask Party government announced the privatization of the Saskatchewan Communication Network (SCN) – the first entire Crown Corporation that they would put on the chopping block.There was a tremendous outcry from the Saskatchewan television and film industry about the pending sale. At that point, SCN could be seen be seen in 90% of Saskatchewan households as well as attracting audiences throughout Canada. The Crown had a commitment to the province, ensuring nearly 70 per cent of the 2009 broadcasting budget stayed in the province to support local prod...
20
MAR
In less than 24 hours the Saskatchewan government will publicize their next provincial budget. Premier Brad Wall has already made a number of announcements preparing the people of Saskatchewan for a ‘budget of cuts’. In fact, Wall warned that “nothing is off the table,” in terms of this year’s budget, including social programs, according to the Brandon Sun. In a province that has apparently been booming, it is interesting that the government is now warning everyone that it is time to tighten our belts. Last year the provincial budget heavily favoured business owne...
19
MAR
There was the sale of Hospitality Network, then contracting out Sasktel installation and other services to Ledcor (an out-of- province company), now it is a Jump.ca contract going to Ledcor. People, this government is slowly dismantling our Crowns one piece at a time.Our Crowns which are owned by all citizens of the province and benefit us all, are being sold to outof-province organizations that are benefiting. The profits for Saskatchewan people are slowly slipping away — profit that is used for infrastructure, health care, education etc. We, the owners of these Crowns, deserve better t...
Earlier this week the Stephen Harper government announced that they would be increasing competition in our national wireless sector including opening the doors to foreign investment, particularly affecting small telecommunications firms.Rita Trichur and Ian Marlow explained in the Globe and Mail, “The last burst of wireless competition, which began in the late 1990’s, ended with the new entrants succumbing to financial problems or selling out to the giants they had been fighting for years.” Basically, increased competition in the wireless market has seen the ‘Big Three&...
14
MAR
Crown Corporations including SaskPower, SaskEnergy and the SGI Auto Fund regularly review their rates and pricing through applications to the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel (SRRP). The Panel provides an opinion to the Government after review of these applications regarding the whether the rate change is reasonable – taking into consideration the interested of the customer, the Crown Corporation, and the public.Currently, SaskEnergy and SGI’s Auto Fund have pending applications that will be discussed in public meetings in the next month. If you are interested in attending any ...
2
MAR
News ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 2, 2012Government privatizes more Saskatchewan powerThe Brad Wall government announced Wednesday that an additional seven percent of Saskatchewan’s power is being privatized – reaching an alarming total of nearly 17 per cent by the end of 2016. SaskPower announced another Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Windlectric Inc. which is a subsidiary of Ontario-based Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp (Algonquin).The new $355-million wind project will be located near Chaplin, Saskatchewan and will be fully operational by the end of 2016. Algonqui...
23
FEB
Today, the union representing workers at both SaskTel and Jump.ca, called into question the government’s decision to work in direct opposition of their own Sask First Policy. Mere weeks ago, SaskTel announced that Ledcor was the successful bidder on an upcoming contract for residential install and repair. Ledcor, which is headquartered in B.C., had been doing install work for SaskTel since September 2011. What we know for a fact is that SaskTel was paying Ledcor obscene amounts of money to complete installs during their six week contact last fall. Although it is complicated to explain th...
21
FEB
SaskEnergy announced last week that they have applied to the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel (SRRP) for a reduction that will save the average residential customer about $50 a year.
SaskEnergy President and CEO, Doug Kelln stated the proposed reduction was based on “relatively stable natural gas prices through 2011,” coupled with “prices on the forward markets where we purchase the majority of our customers’ gas has moved lower.”
There were two applications filed including to adjust Commodity and Delivery Rates. Nearly half of a cu...
Although we are separated by distance, the shift of employers turning to the use of contracting out jobs rather than using their own employees seems to be a universal issue. One case that has been brought to our attention is a struggle happening in New Zealand at the Port of Auckland. The Port is owned by the people of Auckland through their Council but managed by a Board at arm’s length. Government legislation removed the requirement for the people of Auckland to agree to any privatization by referendum. Thus, the government has given themselves legislative power to privatize without co...
3
FEB
SaskTel President and CEO, Ron Styles, notified employees this week that they were no longer under the constraints of the government’s restrictive Sask First Policy. He stated that, “with the sale of The Hospitality Network in 2011, SaskTel completed the last divesture related to the Government of Saskatchewan’s SaskFirst Policy.” This is in addition to the sale of AgDealer, DirectWest Canada, Saskatoon Square, and Navigata. Although not all of the subsidiaries sold were core business assets, some are required for ongoing operation of our current business. An exam...
2
FEB
Once again, a number of our Crown Corporations made the list for Saskatchewan's Top Employers including:
-Information Services Corp. of Saskatchewan (ISC)
-Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI)
-SaskEnergy Inc.
-SaskPower Corporation
-SaskTel
With a total of 9,003 full-time employees between the 5 organizations, Crown Corporations play a huge role in many Saskatchewan communities.
In October of last year, both SaskTel and SGI were also honoured as two of Canada's Top 100 Employers.
...
1
FEB
Today SOS Crowns will join thousands of students, working men and women, and community members across Canada to raise awareness about issues relating to post-secondary education.Skyrocketing tuition, mounting student debt, and the chronic underfunding of Canada's post-secondary institutions are just some of the issues that will discussed at the event.SOS Crowns is supporting the National Day Of Action because we believe that post-secondary education should be available and accessible to all people, so today we will stand in solidarity so that students' voices across the country can...
31
JAN
CEP Press ReleaseCommunications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 31, 2012One of Canada’s largest unions says SaskTel’s announcement of Saskatchewan work going to an out-of province Company is very suspicious timing considering the union has collective agreement talks and an arbitration case pending on the jurisdiction of the work Ledcor was awarded.SasTel announced last week that residential install and repair work is going to Alberta construction giant Ledcor. The work was formerly done by SaskTel employees and currently by Saskatchewan-based J...
29
JAN
Since SaskTel announced that Ledcor Technical Services was awarded a contract for residential install and repair services, the issue has received a large amount of attention.SOS Crowns was initially under the impression that the Ledcor contract that was chosen would cost significantly more than what it would cost SaskTel to have employees within the bargaining unit complete the work. We were also made aware that Saskatchewan-based Jump.ca submitted a proposal for the same contract, which also would have been a less expensive option for the Crown corporation.Trent Wotherspoon, NDP finance criti...
27
JAN
News ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 27, 2012Saskatchewan LAST policy...or at least SaskTel lastEarlier this week SaskTel announced that Ledcor Technical Services, headquartered out of Vancouver, BC, would be partnering with the Crown utility to complete residential install and repair services in Regina and Saskatoon as well as seven other major districts. Ledcor will be bringing employees in from other provinces and taxpayers will be contractually obligated to adhere to a more expensive model than if SaskTel employees were completing the work.SOS Crowns was recently made aware Ledco...
The Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) has been serving the people of Saskatchewan for over sixty years. Currently the STC provides passenger transportation and parcel express services to nearly three hundred communities in Saskatchewan. Aside from their three main terminals in Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert, STC also has nearly 200 rural agencies across this great province.Questioning whether transportation and parcel services should be in the hands of the private sector, rather than a publicly-owned Crown is not a new discussion. Our Crown corporations were designed and cu...
18
JAN
Yesterday, Rogers Media Inc. announced that they would be acquiring Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) and launch Citytv Saskatchewan. The deal is pending approval from the CRTC, with a decision expected in Spring 2012, according to SCN.This announcement comes on the heels of the affiliate agreement between Rogers and SCN that was signed in December 2011.According to the Financial Post, in 2007, Rogers paid $375-million in cash to buy five Citytv stations from CTV, then known as CTVglobemedia. They also report that SCN was previously owned by Bluepoint Investment Corp., a Toronto-based ...
Our neighbours in Alberta are being told once again to expect rate increases for their monthly residential electricity - directly on the heels of an approximately $25 increase in December 2010.
Proponents of deregulation commonly tell consumers that increased competition in markets such as electricity will provide the lowest rates. Unfortunately for our neighbours in both Alberta and British Columbia, this simply has not been the case.
It was just over a year ago that residents in B.C. were told to expect rate increases that were directly related to the costly Power Purchase ...
2
DEC
There has been a lot of media buzz around SaskTel issues for a number of months in Saskatchewan...including not only network problems, but also problems with the RIM network for all Blackberry users which is out of SaskTel's control.However, until the last couple of weeks, the people of SaskTel have been gracious in affording SaskTel some time and space to deal with the growing pains of upgrading our cellular network.When Premier Brad Wall chimes in with dropped call irritations, it suddenly makes it into the official throne speech and has the media buzzing.In an article in the Saskatoon Star ...
24
NOV
With just over two weeks having passed since the Saskatchewan provincial election, Premier Brad Wall is already making comments that are stirring up conversations about whether or not SaskTel should be privatized.Over the years amidst increased competition, SaskTel has stacked up well to the much larger competitors across the country like Rogers, Bell, and Telus. Last year in a Consumer Reports Canada special report, SaskTel actually scored far above these other well known companies. SaskTel received the “highest marks across the board for voice connectivity-as in service with good cover...
4
NOV
Today is Saskatchewan, Crown Corporations are being sold off, contracted out, deregulated and dismantled slowly by the Brad Wall government. As the people of the province, we are being lied to about the future of the very organizations that we have built from the ground up.
Today in Saskatchewan when the government says they have not sold off any Crown Corporations, ask them about the Saskatchewan Communications Network. A Crown that was valued at nearly $4 million and was attributed to attracting millions of dollars a year for the television film industry in Saskatchewan – SOLD f...
3
NOV
The government continues to say they are not privatizing Crowns Corporations like SaskTel, while they use backdoor tactics like systematic contracting-out to destroy our organizations. The continued erosion of the workforce in favour of contracting out to the private sector has become an epidemic in Saskatchewan.
Some of the most notable areas of SaskTel that have been contracted out include:
-Operator services including directory assistance and relay service to a direct competitor
-Max TV and High Speed Internet installations to a direct competitor
-Satellite High Speed Internet service t...
2
NOV
Aside from the outright sale of Crown Corporations and their subsidiaries, the Brad Wall government has made significant policy changes that affect the future of Crowns in Saskatchewan.Sask First Policy One of the first major attacks on the future of our Crowns was the adoption of the Sask First Policy in late 2008. Although it is called a ‘policy framework’ according to a news release, it is unclear whether a formal written policy as even been produced. A CIC representative stated “There is no written policy available...Cabinet’s direction on the policy framework is es...
1
NOV
We you aware that in December 2010, BC Hydro customers were told to expect a near 30% price increase over the next 3 years? Government critics attribute the increase to failed Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and "the government forcing BC Hydro to buy expensive power from the private sector, instead of generating more power itself through public projects."Why would the Brad Wall government want to make the same mistakes other provinces have made?Only 3 months after BC residents were told to expect price increases, the Saskatchewan Party government entered into a 20-year PPA with Ontario-based ...
12
OCT
NEWS RELEASE - OCTOBER 12, 2011
Once again the people of Saskatchewan are being short-changed for the policy decisions made by the Brad Wall government. Using Crowns like their own cash cows and selling off subsidiaries for prices far below market value.Following the adoption of the Sask First policy, the Brad Wall government began the process to divest of a number of Crown Corporation subsidiaries including Navigata in 2009. Although Navigata did not provide SaskTel with steady income, the organization including their physical assets was sold for only $1.25 million. At that time, the...
27
SEP
It is clear that the people of Saskatchewan are being deceived. Our current government has made many claims regarding the future of Crown Corporations in Saskatchewan. One of which was a statement from our current Premier stating “Crowns are not going to be privatized and (subsidiaries) are not going to be wound down.” Our current government`s actions have been nothing but contrary to this statement.Merriam Webster defines the word privatize as the process “to make private; especially to change (as a business or industry) from public to private control or ownership.&rdq...
21
SEP
In the final episode:
Unfortunately, the hot tub truck is no more. So instead, Chris, Mike, and Amy do a rap about
their experiences traveling around Saskatchewan this summer.
Want to see more of their adventure? Check out the other videos on our blog.
What did you think of our video series? Feel free to comment on our Facebook page....
19
SEP
In this episode, Chris, Mike, and Amy attend the Queen City Exhibition in Regina, and reflect on
the privatization of Saskatchewan’s Crown Corporations.
Are you concerned about the privatization of our crowns? Feel free to comment on our Facebook page....
13
SEP
In this episode, Chris, Mike, and Amy check out the Symphony Under the Sky concert in Regina, Saskatchewan. In between listening to the sounds of the Regina Symphony Orchestra,they talk to people about Crown Corporations.
What do you think of our video series so far? Feel free to comment on our Facebook page.... 
In this episode, Chris, Mike, and Amy roll into Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. See them set up the
hot tub truck on Broadway Avenue—filled with water from the South Saskatchewan River!
What do you think of our video series so far? Feel free to comment on our Facebook page.... 
In this episode, Chris, Mike, and Amy visit Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in the hot tub truck, hand
out SOS Crowns SWAG and talk to people about Crown Corporations.
What do you think of our video series so far? Feel free to comment on our Facebook Page....
6
SEP
In this episode, Chris, Mike, and Amy visit the Farmer’s Market in Regina, Saskatchewan, and hand out some SOS Crowns SWAG.
What do you think of our video series so far? Feel free to comment on our Facebook Page....
1
SEP
In this episode, Chris, Mike, and Amy attend the 7th Annual Gateway Music Festival inBengough, Saskatchewan. Did you know that Crown Corporations helped sponsor this event,among others? And that’s just one of the ways that crowns give back to the province, and help support the arts in our communities.
What do you think of our video series so far? Feel free to comment on our Facebook Page.... 
29
AUG
In this episode, Chris, Mike, and Amy head to Humboldt in the hot tub truck for the Canada Day
celebrations. Along the way, they sing a song about their experiences so far. Plus, the water in
the hot tub truck is finally hot.
What do you think of our video series so far? Feel free to comment on our Facebook page....
24
AUG
In this episode, Chris, Mike, and Amy go kayaking on beautiful Kenosee Lake in Moose
Mountain Provincial Park. In between, they ask people why Crown Corporations matter to them.
In 2010, 23 rental cabins at Greenwater Lake Provincial Park were sold to a Regina-based
property management company. The new private owner will add 10 more cabins.
At Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, a private company is developing a new campground.
Services that used to be provided by park staff, such as cutting firewood, maintaining hiking
trails, and sanitation services, are being turned ov...
11
AUG
In this episode, Mike and Amy go to Regina Beach for some fun in the sun, and to talk to people
about Crown Corporations.
What do you think of our video series so far? Feel free to comment on our Facebook Page.
... 
Meet Chris Miller. You may recognize Chris from his video, A Young Person’s Guide To Saskatchewan Crowns. Chris was also in the running to be this year’s Saskatchewanderer. He didn’t win, but that didn’t stop him and his friends, Mike and Amy, from heading out on their own summer adventure. The three of them are travelling around Saskatchewan to ask people, “What do our Crown Corporations mean to you?” And what better way to get around than in your very own homemade hot tub truck! Watch our video series to follow their hijinks, and keep an eye out for when ...
18
JUL
Since 1929, SaskPower has been delivering services to residents throughout the province of Saskatchewan. Following the principles of Crown Corporations and the mandate to provide universal service, SaskPower began working in 1961 to ensure electricity was accessible to farms across the province. The Rural Electrification mandate resulted in nearly 60,000 farms being connected to the power grid.In Saskatchewan today, SaskPower uses a variety of technologies to supply electricity to residents and businesses. Currently SaskPower operates; • 3 coal-fired power stations• 7 hydroelectric s...
7
JUL
When we think global telecommunications, we tend to think about the large, innovative, multi-national organizations developing technology that gets used around the world. However, we often forget about some of the highly innovative organizations that are steps ahead many companies around the world. You don’t need to look very far if you want to find one of these organizations that we speak of. SaskTel has made an incredible contribution to the telecommunication industry both at home, and around the world, for decades. In 1984, this Crown Corporation who was known for offering phone servi...
4
JUL
For the first time in the Crown Corporations history, SaskWater has posted a surplus two years in a row. With a net income of $224,000, SaskWater is also able to proudly state that a record setting amount of $24.4 million was spent in the province of Saskatchewan in capital spending over the last year. Along with individual business and residential customers, SaskWater provides services to 57 Saskatchewan communities, 7 rural municipalities, and 85 rural pipeline groups. Another notable accomplishment according to SaskWater is an 88.5% customer satisfaction according to community, associatio...
4
JUL
An industry that once consisted of smoke signals and telegrams has evolved into fiber optic networks and High Speed internet service. Telecommunication is constantly changing and being upgraded. Where hand written letters are replaced with E-mails and text messages which allow people to connect nearly instantly. Television dials have been traded in for digital video recorders and 3-dimensional programming.According to the Worldwide Telecommunications Industry Revenues by Plunkett Research, Ltd. the global telecommunications industry represented nearly $4 trillion in revenue in 2008. ...
6
APR
At a news conference on Tuesday, president and CEO of SaskTel, Ron Styles announced the Crown Corporation will be spending $670 million over the next 7 years to expand bandwidth and SaskTel services throughout the province. This ambitious plan, according the Leader Post, includes spending $199 million in 2011 in the following areas:
$52 million to continue construction of 4G (fourth generation) wireless network, which will increase bandwidth by four times up to 21 Mbps download speed;
$27 million for a rural infrastructure program, including $15 million to upgrade highspeed Internet serv...
25
MAR
In Saskatchewan, SOS Crowns has been diligent in fighting the Saskatchewan government about their proposed introduction of a self-based water regulation system. Although it is sometimes unclear as to what each organization is responsible for, SaskWater is a Crown Corporation which is designed as a standalone company. As such, it is intended to generate revenue to fund capital costs and provide dividends to CIC which goes into the general revenue fund. They deliver both potable and non-potable water throughout the province and operate plants that treat water and deal with sewage. In compa...
24
MAR
Yesterday the Saskatchewan government announced the 2011-2012 Provincial Budget. Upon reading the budget in its entirety, it does not take long to realize that this budget is aimed to support one group of people; business owners and corporations. As expected, Crown Corporations will take more significant hits as a result of the current budget. Some highlights include:
The government intends to continue "to partner with the private sector" for producing power, shifting control and ownership to private companies
Discounted beer rates for commercial permittees, shifting the expense to Saska...
1
MAR
Our current government continues to enter into power deals that protect private companies from increased fuel costs but pass increased costs onto Saskatchewan citizens.
In February 2010, SaskPower entered into a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Ontario-based Northland Power Income Fund. Construction began near North Battleford in July 2010, with the plant scheduled to begin operations in 2013. Once fully operational Northland Power will produce 347 megawatts of base load power, representing nearly 10% of the power generated in Saskatchewan.
According to a Northland Power news rele...
25
FEB
This morning the Saskatchewan NDP released their draft of the final report on policy consultations entitled "A Rooted and Growing Vision." A specific section is dedicated to improving public services and Crown Corporations. Click here to read the full report....
1
FEB
In March, 2010 SaskTel announced the divesture of Hospitality Network (HospNet) and AgDealer. As well, SaskTel will be selling its real estate investment in Saskatoon Square and remain a tenant of the property. According to the Leader-Post, HospNet, also known as Hospitality Network, rents TVs and phones to hospital and nursing home patients across the country. Hospitality Network Canada Inc. had operating revenues of $29.4 million, in 2008. AgDealer, which is a trader-type magazine and website for agricultural equipment produced through DirectWest, while Saskatoon Square is a commercial bui...
6
JAN
Campaign co-ordinator Jennifer Britton joined John Gormley live to discuss the "Hey Buddy, This Isn't Alberta" billboards which are being displayed throughout the province including Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Moose Jaw currently. Minister Ken Chevaldayoff responded to the interview, followed by comments from various callers....
31
AUG
Are you a filmmaker or film student? SOS Crowns needs your help! We would like to invite Saskatchewan filmmakers and film students to create and submit two-minute films focused on Saskatchewan Crown Corporations. Through your films we hope to educate and show the people of Saskatchewan the positive impact Our Crowns have on our province. Points you may want to focus on could include: -The effects of Crowns on a single person, entire communities, or the province as a whole -The economic benefit of Crowns: how Saskatchewan is differentiated from other parts of Canada and the world be...
20
AUG
At the end of this month SaskPower will permanently close their office doors to walk-in customers in over 20 percent of their office locations across Saskatchewan.
Customers in Assiniboia, Biggar, Humboldt, Kamsack, Rosthern, and Weyburn as well as the thousands of people in surrounding areas, will no longer have the ability to make statement inquiries, book service calls or complete bill payments in their own community.
Closures of this nature signal the decline of equal Crown service levels for rural Saskatchewan and, furthermore, diminish the presence of our Crowns in rural communitie...
Today NDP House Leader Kevin Yates questioned why the Wall government is boasting of SGI license plate sales when it callously hurt a Saskatchewan small business in the process. Yates said the Wall Government failed to mention that the General License Plate Contract is no longer in the hands of a local Saskatchewan company which held the contract since 1971. SGI awarded the new contract to a larger company in Nova Scotia – Waldale Manufacturing Ltd. “We have seen this type of decision before with the Wall government in its tendering process. Instead of keeping jobs and work within...
10
MAY
On April 30th, 2010 the Brad Wall government along with British Columbia and Alberta, launched the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA). According to the government, “The New West Partnership is an ambitious agreement that will create Canada's largest interprovincial barrier-free trade and investment market.” In 2007, the people of Saskatchewan were against the province signing the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) with B.C. and Alberta, which premiere Brad Wall promised he would never sign. According to the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Presiden...
30
APR
The Saskatchewan Party Government officially wound down our broadcast Crown Corporation, as more proof of its commitment to destroy the Crowns despite assurances it will not.Following the release of the 2010 provincial budget in Saskatchewan, the government announced their plan to sell off Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN). At that point, the broadcaster could be seen be seen in 90% of Saskatchewan households as well as attracting audiences throughout Canada.Once the sale was announced, the government stated, “Outstanding contracts with film producers will be brought to a conclus...
13
APR
The government is destroying our Crowns like SaskTel by taking 100 percent of their dividends and forcing them to increase debt, while selling off profitable assets.
Following a record breaking year of operating income SaskTel will be forced to increase their debt-to-equity ratio in 2010 from approximately 24 percent to 36 percent. As Sarah Mills reported, our current government is partially to blame.
Due to the mismanagement of Saskatchewan’s finances, our current government is making up for their mistakes by once again tying the hands of our Crowns. “The g...
23
MAR
Following a government mandate to sell off “non-core” businesses SaskTel announced last week it was dumping two companies and a real estate investment.Hospitality Network (HospNet) and AgDealer are on the sale block as well as SaskTel selling its real estate investment in Saskatoon Square while remaining a tenant of the property.This follows the Saskatchewan First Policy which was first adopted by our current government in 2008. Although it is called a ‘policy framework’ according a news release, it is unclear whether a formal written policy has even been produc...
2
FEB
In a new Canadian survey done by Consumer Reports, SaskTel scored extremely well compared to other large players in the cell phone industry including Rogers, Telus, and Bell Mobility. With some 14,000 Canadians surveyed, with the exception of SaskTel and Virgin Mobile the most common complaint from cell phone users was the price associated with their service. SaskTel also saw the highest ratings in areas including voice connectivity and customer service. According to Consumer Reports, "With standout service from SaskTel and solid service from MTS, prairie residents have fine choices." To v...
1
FEB
Saskatchewan is a very unique place to live, due largely to the foundation created by our Crown Corporations. Our provincial coat of arms includes a motto reading “Multis e gentibus vires” or “From Many People’s Strength”. It is very apparent that we have a history of doing things cooperatively in this province with the benefits reaching out to every single citizen. We don’t want to be any other province, and the grass truly may not be so much greener on the other side.
Billboards went up in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Moose Jaw in late December, ...
1
FEB
Throughout the month of January the Standing Committee on Crown & Central Agencies was accepting written submissions and presentations regarding the future energy needs of Saskatchewan. Public meetings were held in 6 Saskatchewan cities allowing interested parties to appear in front of the committee with their suggestions.
The following question was posed: “How should the Government best meet the growing energy needs of the province in a manner that is safe, reliable, and environmentally sustainable, while meeting any current and expected Federal Standards and Regulations, a...
30
NOV
SaskTel has issued a “Stop Sell” on SaskTel Wireless Broadband Internet (WBBI) and SaskTel Satellite Internet in 15 communities across Saskatchewan, and has turned the business over to two private firms; YourLink Inc. and RFNow Inc.
In direct opposition to their own SaskFirst Policy, this government is allowing private companies based outside of Saskatchewan to reap the benefits of providing internet access to rural Saskatchewan customers. YourLink Inc. is a subsidiary of Vecima Networks Inc which has headquarters in Victoria, BC while RFNow is based in Virden, MB.
Following the ...
10
AUG
Saskatchewan's Crowns are in danger. SOS has placed the valuable and vibrant Crowns on the Species at Risk list as a "threatened species." This is not the worst designation so there is still time to return the Crowns to a non-threatened existence to benefit all citizens of Saskatchewan.
Special concern species: a species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of environmental threats. Our Crowns are already past his point because of the Saskatchewan Party government's actions.
Threatened species: a species that is likely to become e...
7
AUG
Saskatchewan's Crown corporations have been placed on the endangered species list by a coalition of concerned citizens.
Save Our Saskatchewan Crowns (SOS) says the environment created by the Saskatchewan Party government has made the province's Crowns a species at risk.
"This government thinks profits instead of people and that is toxic to our vibrant Crowns," said Wendy Sol, a CEP vice-president and coalition spokesperson.
The Crowns have delivered affordable, accessible services to all of us. Billions of dollars have gone back to General Revenue over the years to pay f...
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