A luminous, upward-moving arrow crafted from interconnected bright dots, representing rapid data expansion and thriving financial trends against a sleek dark backdrop.
by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan Adds Over 15,000 Jobs in 2025

A luminous, upward-moving arrow crafted from interconnected bright dots, representing rapid data expansion and thriving financial trends against a sleek dark backdrop.

Statistics Canada recently released its annual labour force numbers, which demonstrate that Saskatchewan’s labour market experienced another strong year with continued low unemployment and consistent job growth.  

In 2025, Saskatchewan’s economy created 15,200 jobs. The province also had the lowest annual unemployment rate among provinces at 5.2 per cent, below the national average of 6.8 per cent. Saskatchewan was the only province to record a decline in the unemployment rate compared to 2024. 

“In 2025, Saskatchewan continued to experience strong job growth and low unemployment rates. This is the direct result of the strength of industry and employers, and the increasing opportunities available in Saskatchewan,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Eric Schmalz said. “Our government is committed to ensuring this growth continues into 2026 and that Saskatchewan remains the best province in Canada to live, work and raise a family.” 

In 2025 Saskatchewan saw all time historical highs with: 

  • 510,600 people in full-time employment 
  • 617,400 people employed 
  • 651,200 people in the labour force 

Saskatchewan had the highest employment rate at 63.9 per cent and the second-highest labour force participation among provinces at 67.4 per cent. Saskatchewan’s two biggest cities also saw growth this year. Compared to 2024, Saskatoon’s employment was up 4,000, an increase of 2.0 per cent, and Regina’s employment was up 6,500, an increase of 4.5 per cent.  

Industries that saw the largest job gains from 2024 were health care and social assistance (up 9,000), construction (up 5,000) and agriculture (up 1,600).  

The province continues to see economic growth in other areas. In 2025 Saskatchewan ranked first among provinces for growth in urban housing starts (January to November) and second in the value of building permits and new motor vehicle sales (January to October).  

This economic growth is backed by the Government of Saskatchewan’s Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy: The Saskatchewan Labour Market Strategy, a roadmap to build the workforce needed to support Saskatchewan’s strong and growing economy, and Securing the Next Decade of Growth: Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy, a plan to increase investment in the province and to further advancing Saskatchewan’s growth plan goal of $16 billion in private capital investment annually. 

Power industry transmission towers and communication lines standing tall on the Canadian prairies in Rocky View County Alberta Canada.
by SHCA SHCA

Denison Mines Corp. Announces Grid Power Available at Future Phoenix Uranium Mine Site Following Completion of SaskPower Transmission Line 

Power industry transmission towers and communication lines standing tall on the Canadian prairies in Rocky View County Alberta Canada.

Denison Mines Corp. announced that grid power supply from SaskPower is available at the site of the future Phoenix in-situ recovery uranium mine following the recent installation of a new 138kV transmission line.  

The availability of grid power at the Phoenix site represents a significant step in de-risking the execution of the project, as the electrification of the site is on the critical path of activities planned for the first year of construction and supports the establishment of the freeze wall planned to surround the initial mining area.  

“We thank SaskPower for the safe installation of the new high-voltage transmission line, on schedule and on budget,” said David Cates, president and CEO of Denison. “As power is a crucial component of planned site infrastructure for project construction and future operation, the availability of grid power supply at the site represents a major project milestone. Access to grid electricity is a notable competitive advantage for Phoenix, as the grid in Saskatchewan is reliable and cost-effective compared to on-site power generation.”  

The new transmission line is approximately six kilometres in length and connects the Phoenix site to the existing 138kV transmission line east of Phoenix that runs proximal to Highway 914 near Russell Lake. This portion of the Saskatchewan grid provides power from the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border to Uranium City in northwestern Saskatchewan and currently supplies power to each of the operating uranium mine and mill sites in the eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin.  

Completion of the high-voltage transmission line represents a major Project milestone. 

Phoenix has been designed to be powered by electricity from the SaskPower grid. Accordingly, the installation and electrification of the new 138kV transmission line to the Phoenix site represents a significant de-risking event, as the electrification of the Phoenix site will now only require the installation of on-site electrical distribution infrastructure, including the main site transformer, substation high-voltage equipment, switchgear and substation e-house – all of which are long-lead items that have been procured and are on schedule for delivery to site and installation during the first year of construction.  

SaskPower is Saskatchewan’s principal electrical utility, reliably servicing over a half million customers across an extensive geographic area, including connections to the grids in Manitoba, Alberta and North Dakota. SaskPower obtained applicable approvals and installed their transmission line to support a power supply agreement with Denison, whereby Denison has obtained access to up to 8.8 MW of power and agreed to purchase a minimum amount of power for a five-year period from the in-service date of the new transmission line. The cost of the new transmission line was funded by the Wheeler River Joint Venture.  

The commencement of Phoenix construction activities by Denison, including the installation of on-site electrical distribution equipment, remains subject to receipt of final regulatory approvals and a final investment decision by Denison. 

SaskAbilities | Celebrating 75 Years Together
by SHCA SHCA

Province Proclaims SaskAbilities Day to Celebrate 75 Years of Service

The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed Dec. 2, 2025, as SaskAbilities Day in recognition of the organization’s 75 years of service to persons with disabilities and their leadership in strengthening communities across the province. 

“Our partnership with SaskAbilities is one we deeply value, and I want to congratulate them on this milestone,” Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said. “For decades, individuals and their families have benefitted from the quality services provided by SaskAbilities. I look forward to continuing our shared efforts to build an inclusive Saskatchewan.” 

SaskAbilities | Celebrating 75 Years Together

Founded on Dec. 2, 1950, SaskAbilities has grown from a small, family-led initiative into a province-wide organization that supports more than 50,000 individuals each year. This growth reflects their commitment to meeting the evolving needs of persons with disabilities and to building inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. 

“In 1950, Saskatchewan families came together with a heartfelt hope: a better life for their children,” SaskAbilities president Paul Blackstock said. “From these humble beginnings, SaskAbilities now supports children, youth and adults experiencing disability with employment, quality of life and rehabilitation programs and services. We are grateful for the decades-long support from the Government of Saskatchewan and the people of our great province as we continue to work together to build inclusive communities for people of all abilities.” 

To learn more about SaskAbilities programs or to access supports, visit saskabilities.ca. 

by SHCA SHCA

National Infrastructure Assessment Underscores Urgent Need for Delivery-Focused Reforms

Canadian Construction Association

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) welcomed the release of the National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA), noting that its findings strongly substantiate CCA’s long-standing recommendations for long-term planning, modernized delivery systems and the core infrastructure required to support Canada’s housing ambitions.

CCA president Rodrigue Gilbert says the assessment reinforces a message the industry has long emphasized: Canada cannot build more homes without the enabling infrastructure required to support them. “We are pleased to see the NIA clearly recognize that housing cannot accelerate without major improvements to water and wastewater capacity, solid waste management and public transit access,” said Gilbert. “These are the foundational systems that determine whether communities can grow.”

By providing a detailed snapshot of Canada’s housing-enabling infrastructure, the NIA reinforced the challenges CCA has consistently raised. The assessment shows that over $126 billion of infrastructure is in “poor or very poor condition,” with 11 per cent of water and wastewater assets and more than 13 per cent of public transit assets at risk, and solid waste infrastructure approaching capacity limits. This re-emphasizes the need for governments to act decisively to support safe, resilient and growing communities.

While the NIA provided an important national roadmap, CCA notes several areas where further action is needed:

  • Workforce gaps: The report focuses primarily on engineering students, without addressing the broader construction trades, vocational training and apprenticeships critical to meeting labour demand.
  • Data limitations: The NIA provides a snapshot of infrastructure conditions using 2022-2023 data, but lacks a plan for regularly updated, comprehensive information to guide evidence-based decisions.
  • Annual publication and stakeholder engagement: CCA recommends an NIA be published annually, developed with extensive engagement of relevant stakeholders, reflecting diverse perspectives and using evidence from infrastructure, economic and growth data to support long-term asset management planning.
  • Future scope: While the current NIA focuses on housing-enabling infrastructure, future assessments should also address transport and trade-enabling infrastructure to strengthen economic resilience and bolster our supply chains.

“The assessment provides a clear national vision, but delivery depends on coherent policy frameworks that support it,” said Gilbert. “To turn these findings into action, we need a workforce strategy that reflects real labour-market needs, fair, open and transparent procurement policies, supply chains that remain resilient under new domestic sourcing rules and internal trade policies that break down barriers between provinces. Without these elements, even the strongest infrastructure plan risks stalling on implementation.”

The Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the City of Regina. Regina is the provincial capital of Saskatchewan, Canada.
by SHCA SHCA

SHCA Welcomes Newly Appointed Minister of Highways and Minister for SaskBuilds and Procurement

The Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the City of Regina. Regina is the provincial capital of Saskatchewan, Canada.

The SHCA is pleased to congratulate and welcome the Honourable Kim Gartner, newly appointed Minister of Highways, and the Honourable Sean Wilson, newly appointed Minister for SaskBuilds and Procurement.

“Our association is looking forward to collaborating with both ministers as they take on these important portfolios,” said Shantel Lipp, SHCA president. “Our industry has had the opportunity to work with each of them in various capacities over the years, and we know they bring experience, focus and a strong commitment to supporting Saskatchewan’s growth. We are optimistic about what we can accomplish together.”

Premier Scott Moe announced the cabinet changes on Dec. 11, including the transition of the Honourable David Marit to the role of Minister of Agriculture. “The SHCA truly appreciated the constructive and respectful working relationship we had with Minister Marit,” Lipp said. “He understood the challenges our industry faces and consistently demonstrated a willingness to listen. We wish him every success in his new portfolio.”