After talking about it all winter, saying he'd take it to a referendum if needed, Premier Brad Wall has changed his tune on his idea of possibly selling SaskTel.

He talked about the idea after Manitoba's Crown phone company was sold, saying it makes the market difficult for SaskTel to survive. On the first day of the new sitting for the Legislature, Wall rose and explained that he's heard from Saskatchewan people and has changed his mind.

"They're not interested in a referendum; they oppose the sale of SaskTel."

Wall had said publicly that if the right opportunity came forward he would take the potential sale to the general public with a referendum and let voters decide. The Premier says he's heard loud and clear that there doesn't appear to be an appetite for that to happen.

However, legislation is still being debated that could see up to 49% of the Crowns sold. While not a complete sale, it's still enough for the opposition NDP to be sceptical of what the province has planned.