SASKTEL NAMED TOP 100 EMPLOYER IN CANADA FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Released on October 8, 2004

Minister responsible for SaskTel Maynard Sonntag today announced that for the fifth consecutive year SaskTel has been named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, a recognition that acknowledges outstanding employers that lead their industries in attracting and retaining quality employees.

"I would like to congratulate SaskTel and its employees for attaining this distinction for the fifth consecutive year," Sonntag said. "As the only Saskatchewan-based company to achieve this distinction five years in a row, SaskTel reinforces its position as a top employer in the province of Saskatchewan."

The list is compiled each year by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which publishes job-hunting periodicals, including Canada Employment Week. For this year, 6,000 Canadian employers were invited to complete an extensive application process and more than 1,000 companies did so. Companies who make the list are then profiled in the Canada's Top 100 Employers book, which hits bookstores in mid-October. In the book, Mediacorp grades the organizations in eight areas, including the physical workplace, work and social atmosphere, as well as health, financial and family benefits. The book also reveals the employer's internal grades for each of these areas and the reasons why each employer was selected.

About SaskTel:

SaskTel employs over 3800 people in over 50 Saskatchewan communities and is the leading full service communications company in Saskatchewan. It offers complete wireline, wireless, internet and e-business solutions over a state-of-the-art, digital network. SaskTel maintains investments in companies that provide a variety of products and services, and partners with more than 140 Saskatchewan businesses. In 2003, SaskTel donated $1.7 million to more than 1,570 not-for-profit organizations, and spent more than $215 million on materials and services from over 4,100 Saskatchewan suppliers. Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Darcee MacFarlane SaskTel Regina Phone: (306) 777-4441