Premier Brad Wall discusses the potential sale of SaskTel

Premier Brad Wall took time during his post-cabinet shuffle media scrum Tuesday to discuss the potential sale of SaskTel.

Wall said in the past that any sale would go to the public for a vote, either through a referendum or in an election.

On Tuesday, Wall said Dustin Duncan, the new minister responsible for SaskTel, is the right person to lead that if it were to happen.

"If we get an offer and we think it generates a significant amount of money for the province, maybe enough to eliminate our operating debt, if it takes care of the jobs question in Regina, if it provides better coverage, we are at least going to take it to the people and we'll need someone to lead that process," Wall said.

"I think Dustin Duncan is one of our best communicators and managers and leaders in cabinet and, should all of that transpire, I think he'll be good on that file."

Opposition interim leader Trent Wotherspoon said the NDP will fight the government on any SaskTel sale.

• Premier asks SaskTel to respond to report that says profits at risk
• Sask. Premier wants review of SaskTel's future competitiveness
• 4 new faces as Brad Wall shuffles cabinet

Wotherspoon said the Crown corporation is too valuable to the people of Saskatchewan to be "auctioned off".

In a year-end interview with CBC in December 2015, Wall said selling SaskEnergy, SaskPower, or SaskTel is just not something people want him to do.

"I do have that sense that the public is comfortable with the status quo in those major Crowns," Wall said at the time.