BROTEN JUSTIFIED

Brad Wall scores another point for his image as the most popular, master manipulator premier of Canada.

Even though among his election promises was not to touch Crown corporations, he appears to have been offering casinos to First Nations behind closed doors.

Once the chiefs are eager to take a chance on this great opportunity, Wall throws the ball at Cam Broten and the NDP and says it’s up to them. Now Broten is facing the enraged FSIN chiefs, as he has no choice but to refuse this deal. Wall sits back and laughs, enjoying the carnage.

If Broten collapses under pressure and accepts, it is the end of the Crowns, which fits perfectly with Sask. Party ideology. Then, it would be open season on all Crowns, and more money for Wall’s rich friends.

Chief Roland Crowe is absolutely wrong to accuse Broten of refusing this deal “for the sake of politics and three-minutes (TV) clips.” In fact, the NDP leader’s position is quite brave, knowing its huge political cost.

First Nations have managed their casinos well, particularly at Whitecap, providing jobs and financial success. However, Crown corporations are businesses whose purpose is to provide services, and their profits go back to Saskatchewan people, lowering our taxes.

When Crowns are privatized, as Grant Devine did with potash, the profits go to private hands, mostly out of Saskatchewan and Canada. Broten should stay firm, and reject the pressure for the sake of Saskatchewan’s people, including First Nations. Ralph Ibanez Saskatoon