Caution Needed on Bell Canada Offer

PREMIER'S OFFICE--Caution Needed on Bell Canada Offer

• ---------------------------------------------------------------Premier John Hamm issued the following statement today, Oct. 4, regarding the offer made by Bell Canada to obtain majority ownership of Aliant.

"Telecommunications infrastructure is essential to obtaining the maximum benefit from the information economy. As such, external control of this infrastructure could potentially put Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada at a disadvantage.

"I will review the details of this offer more closely in the weeks to come and I intend to discuss this matter further with my colleagues at the meeting scheduled later this month for the Council of Maritime Premiers."