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. 

Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Charging Ahead: SHCA’s Path Forward

Shantel Lipp

Here we are, starting a new year with renewed energy to keep moving our industry forward. It is also a time where we can reflect on all of our accomplishments from the previous year that helped us continue to build a solid base of support for heavy construction in Saskatchewan.  

At the tail end of 2025, SHCA hosted its third annual Infrastructure Summit and Trade Show in Regina. We were proud to host more exhibitors and more presenters that our previous two events. To say it exceeded our expectations would be an understatement.   

The SHCA Infrastructure Summit and Trade show continues to climb in attendance year over year. On average, this year saw an increase of over 110 attendees per day compared to last year and over 140 attendees per day compared to the inaugural Infrastructure Summit and Trade Show in 2023. As we move into 2026, we are already planning the next Infrastructure Summit and Trade Show and continue to grow the success that each of these events bring to our association and to the province.  

In mid-December, Premier Scott Moe shuffled his cabinet and introduced a few new faces to the table that included a change at the Ministry of Highways. Kim Gartner, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Kindersley-Biggar was appointed the Minister of Highways on Dec 11. Our association has met with the new minister in the past, and we look forward to growing our relationship with him to advance the goals of our industry to meet the demands that come with a growing province.  

The SHCA wants to thank former Highways Minister David Marit for all of the meetings and assistance he had offered our industry during his latest run as Highways Minister. We wish him well in his return to the Ministry of Agriculture.  

Additionally, a new face at the cabinet table is no stranger to the SHCA. Sean Wilson, the MLA for Canora-Pelly, was appointed Minister for SaskBuilds and Procurement. Many of you will remember Sean from his days serving on SHCA’s board. He will be a great addition to the provincial cabinet and a strong voice in government for our industry.  

This year, according to the Chinese zodiac calendar, is the year of the horse. It is described that the year of the horse brings encouragement for moving forward with conviction, embracing independence and taking significant action.  

By all accounts, that is how the SHCA will be moving throughout the new year!