WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s rural councillors got a busy signal from the premier when they asked for a referendum on the sale of the province’s phone system.
At their annual meeting last week, delegates to the Union of Manitoba Municipalities narrowly passed a resolution calling for the government to hold a referendum before it privatizes Manitoba Telephone System.
But the government was already pushing the bill through the legislature. The bill passed Nov. 28 and shares went on sale Dec. 2.
The municipalities union joins Manitoba Pool Elevator delegates in questioning how a privatized company would provide service to rural areas. Pool delegates at their annual meeting last month also called on government to hold public hearings on the sale.
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In a question and answer session between local government councillors and cabinet ministers, premier Gary Filmon said his government is doing the right thing by selling the crown corporation.
Filmon said owning MTS is too risky for taxpayers. He said the company needs to be able to adapt quickly so it can compete with private companies.
Sense of urgency
“If they (MTS) don’t move quickly, they’re going to get left behind and all of you people will be the losers,” Filmon said.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the only two governments in North America that still own phone companies, Filmon said.
Rural residents need not worry about rate hikes and loss in services since those are governed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.
Over the past few weeks, the NDP opposition has put the privatization issue front and centre in debates at the provincial legislature.
The party is worried the province will lose jobs and services when the company is sold.
But speaker Louise Dacquay cut short debate and sped through votes on the bill last week, refusing to let opposition MLAs speak on points of privilege, which are normally heard immediately.
The government has said Manitobans will get the first chance to buy shares in the privatized company.
