Wall confirms meetings about partial sale of Saskatchewan Government Insurance

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said "of course"the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance hasbeen inmeetings about apotential partial sale of the Crown corporation.

Wall was responding to comments from NDP interimleader Trent Wotherspoon during question period on Wednesday.

Wotherspoonaccused thegovernment of scheming to sell off Crown corporations, and said Joe Hargrave,the minister responsible for SGI,has been meeting with different parties in order to make the deal.

"We campaigned on not privatizing the Crowns and we're not going to," Wall told reporters afterwards, but added the government isopen to striking private partnerships.

"If it's about strengthening that Crown corporation, that head office, maybe creating jobs in the province."

• Premier Wall eyes liquor store privatization in 2016, but not other Crowns

As of Wednesday morning, Hargrave's officesaid no offers forSGIhad been made.

'Government looking forcash'

Wotherspoonsaid Wall is breaking a campaign promise made in the last election not to privatizethe Crowns corporations.

"It's a bald-faced lie when you see Bill 40 and the actions of this governmentwith STC now through to SGI and SaskTel," he said.

• 'Lay off our Crowns': Saskatoon residents protest STC closure

"This is a government looking forcash."

UnderBill 40, the government is allowed to sell up to 49 per cent of a Crown corporation. Such a sale, Wall said, does not mean privatization because the majority of the shares would remain with taxpayers.