The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed Sept. 22 to 27 as Saskatchewan Construction Week. The proclamation aims to raise awareness of the vital role the construction sector plays in growing the provincial economy. In 2024, the industry contributed 7.1 per cent to Saskatchewan’s real GDP.
“Our construction sector is, quite literally, helping build a better future here in this great province,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said.
“Thanks to the industry’s hard work and our focus on improving the lives of citizens, more people than ever before are choosing to call Saskatchewan home. This influx of people has led to a construction boom, which shows just how crucial this sector is to job creation.”
In 2024, 42,700 people were employed in Saskatchewan’s construction sector, rising to 51,300 as of June 2025. More than 8,000 jobs were added in the industry in the first half of the year alone. The value of Saskatchewan’s construction sector increased by 13.2 per cent between 2023 and 2024. This growth has largely been driven by new residents moving to the province, which has caused housing starts to increase by 84 per cent in the first six months of 2025. Building permits were also up 58.8 per cent in the first five months of the year. Both increases rank first among the provinces for year-to-date growth.
These significant contributions help Saskatchewan achieve record-breaking GDP results year after year. In 2024, the province’s real GDP at basic prices reached an all-time high of $80.5 billion, increasing by $2.6 billion, or 3.4 per cent. This places Saskatchewan second in the nation for real GDP growth and above the national average of 1.6 per cent.
In this federal election, construction will no longer be ignored. March 27 marks the official launch of the Construction for Canadians campaign, supported by 57 national, provincial and regional construction associations from coast to coast.
“A strong construction industry is the key to a strong Canada,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). “To support long-term growth, the next federal government must make the necessary and overdue investments in trade-enabling infrastructure, workforce development and modernized procurement.”
Construction affects every Canadian. It shapes Canada’s physical landscape, grows the economy, connects communities and plays a critical role in building a prosperous and resilient country. However, underinvestment, workforce challenges and outdated policies, combined with Donald Trump’s threats and tariffs, are barriers to the growth Canadians need. To set Canada up for success, the next federal government must commit to supporting construction.
“The stakes are high. Without strategic investment, Canada risks falling further behind,” said Gilbert. “We need bold action to ensure our industry has the resources, talent and opportunities to keep building a strong economy and communities where Canadians can thrive.”
Canada’s economy runs on construction. With over 1.6 million workers and $151 billion in economic impact, this industry is the foundation of the future. Learn more about Construction for Canadians at construction4cdns.ca. Canadians can help spread the word by sharing #construction4cdns on social media and sending a letter to their riding candidates at construction4cdns.ca/get-involved.
The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), alongside its member rural municipalities (RMs), highlights both the positive aspects and concerns regarding rural communities across the province in this year’s provincial budget.
“Today’s budget includes several priorities that our members have been advocating for, although there is still room for improvement. We believe that these initiatives will significantly support our RMs and the people living in rural Saskatchewan,” said Bill Huber, SARM president.
Budget Highlights
Municipal Revenue Sharing
SARM is pleased with the increase, recognizing that RMs are a key component in driving the economy. “The increase of 6.3 per cent from last year is always welcome; RMs have a major responsibility to provide the infrastructure that drives the major sectors of Saskatchewan’s economy,” said Huber. The municipal revenue sharing model is unique to Saskatchewan. The model provides a more consistent flow of dollars to rural municipalities, which is greatly appreciated by our members. Recognizing that RMs are a key component in driving our economy will be imperative as the province works towards achieving its 2030 growth plan goals. RMs will need continued and increased support going forward.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the backbone of rural Saskatchewan and SARM is pleased with the investment in the Ministry of Agriculture this year. SARM supports the direction the province is taking, with Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership receiving a $89.4M investment this year. The program is in its third year; it has been a strong program to date. Changes to the grazing formula will provide relief for producers renting crown land. The calculation will be more straightforward, and there will be a 20 per cent cap on rental fees. There will also be a $37 million investment in agricultural research to help producers stay competitive in other markets. These are all positives to note for this year.
Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG)
Funding for rural road and bridge infrastructure is imperative for RMs to continue to provide key economic sectors with a strategic transportation network that is effective and well maintained. While SARM appreciates the increase in RIRG funding, the rising costs and challenges of maintaining rural infrastructure remain a pressing concern. SARM will continue to advocate for additional funding to ensure that RMs can adequately maintain and upgrade rural roads and bridges. “While we recognize the challenges in balancing various priorities within budget constraints, we urge the government to ensure RMs have sufficient funding to maintain critical rural infrastructure across the province,” Huber said.
Health Care
The need for increased support of rural health care is increasingly apparent. Ensuring that all residents have access to quality health care is not just a matter of convenience, but a fundamental necessity that impacts the well-being and future of these communities. The virtual ER physician program and increases to EMS will improve response times and stabilize services across the province. The announced supports for 65 new and enhanced permanent full-time nursing positions in 30 rural and northern locations is also a welcomed opportunity for rural healthcare providers and our members. The health care file is always a top priority for SARM, and members see these as positive changes in improving rural health care in the province.
Policing and Public Safety
The bylaw court hub model announcement is a positive step towards SARM members being able to enforce local bylaws. SARM has been asking the province for increased measures to aid in bylaw enforcement, and the increase in courts will go a long way to providing that. Increases to the Sask. Marshals program and the RCMP are welcome sights. SARM will continue to advocate for larger investment in rural policing and safety, and supports all policing options available to rural Saskatchewan.
Moreover, SARM emphasizes the need for continued collaboration between the provincial government and RMs to address ongoing issues such as agricultural sustainability, health care, rural policing and rural infrastructure investments. As Saskatchewan’s association of rural municipalities, SARM remains committed to advocating for the interests and concerns of its members, working alongside the government to foster the development and prosperity of rural Saskatchewan.
New Statistics Canada data shows a 5.7 per cent increase in Saskatchewan’s building construction investment in November 2024 compared to October 2024 (seasonally adjusted). This positions the province as second among all provinces for month-over-month growth in this category. The province also saw an 11.8 per cent increase in year-over-year construction investment from November 2023 to November 2024.
“These figures reflect the ongoing confidence people and businesses have in making long term investments in Saskatchewan as a place to grow and succeed,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “Increased investment in building construction strengthens our communities, supports job creation, and further positions our province as the best place to live, work, and raise a family in the nation.”
Investment in building construction is calculated based on the total spending value on building construction within the province. The province continues to see economic success across several key indicators. Saskatchewan exports totaled over $102 billion for 2022 and 2023 combined. This is an increase of more than 52 per cent from the previous two-year period, and the highest export numbers in the province’s history.
Statistics Canada’s latest GDP numbers indicate that Saskatchewan’s 2023 real GDP reached an all-time high of $77.9 billion, increasing by $1.77 billion, or 2.3 per cent from 2022. This places Saskatchewan second in the nation for real GDP growth, and above the national average of 1.2 per cent. Private capital investment is projected to reach $14.2 billion in 2024, an increase of 14.4 per cent over 2023. This is the highest anticipated percentage increase in Canada.
The Water Security Agency (WSA) is working on key water infrastructure projects stretching from the Prince Albert to Meadow Lake regions. These projects are within three Northern Saskatchewan watersheds, the Churchill River Watershed, Saskatchewan River Watershed and North Saskatchewan River Watershed.
The projects include:
Cowan Lake Dam structure replacement
Candle Lake Dam structure and stoplog upgrades
Christopher Lake outlet structure
“A sustainable and reliable water supply is fundamental and is especially important in Northern Saskatchewan,” WSA Minister David Marit said. “As Northern Saskatchewan continues to grow, and we see increased water demands – maintaining our infrastructure is critical to continue to meet the social, environmental and economic needs for all users in these regions, including our Indigenous communities and rural municipalities.”
More than $1 million is being invested into these three projects in 2024-25.
The Cowan Lake structure replacement, east of Meadow Lake, is the largest of the three projects. This year, WSA will begin work on the detailed design of the new Cowan Lake Dam, which will include an upgraded dam, replacing the control structure and a riffle fishway approximately 35 metres upstream of the existing structure. This is a multi-year project and is currently in the procurement stage.
North of Prince Albert, the Candle Lake Dam project is concluding safety upgrades to improve the operating conditions of the structure for safety to both WSA operators and the public, as well as a pedestrian walkway to provide the public dedicated space to cross the structure. WSA also installed a new system for lifting bulkheads and upgraded the fishway inlet structure. The total investment for this project is $2 million.
“A sustainable and reliable water supply is fundamental and is especially important in northern Saskatchewan.”
– David Marit, Water Security Agency
Southwest of Candle Lake, WSA replaced the control structure at the Christopher Lake outlet with a precast concrete structure. This will allow the structure to be operated more safely and efficiently for WSA operations staff and includes public safety fencing and guardrails. The total investment for this project is $800,000. Wrap up activities are progressing.
These projects were identified as a priority as part of the 10-Year Rolling Infrastructure Rehabilitation Plan – part of WSA’s effort to advance priority maintenance projects for the long-term safety and security of citizens of this province.
WSA is investing more than $42 million in 2024-25 to advance more than 60 key water infrastructure projects with a focus on ensuring Saskatchewan’s infrastructure supports a sustainable, adaptable and reliable water supply. Since 2012, WSA has invested nearly $255M in the province’s water management infrastructure.
May’s numbers for investment in building construction from Statistics Canada show that Saskatchewan has seen a 21.2 per cent year-over-year increase in this category in March 2024 over March 2023 (seasonally adjusted), which ranks third in terms of percentage change among the provinces. This follows in the wake of the 19.4 per cent year-over-year increase that was recorded in February 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
“It is clear that people and businesses are more confident investing in Saskatchewan than ever before,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Our construction sector is seeing this growth because of the deliberate efforts we’ve made to create a creative business environment industry can rely on. This unprecedented investment into the province is creating new jobs and opportunities in every corner of our province.”
In March 2024, investment in building construction totaled $392 million in Saskatchewan.
Investment in building construction is calculated based on the total spending value on building construction within the province.
A report released by Statistics Canada earlier in May indicates that the value of building permits in Saskatchewan increased by 15.8 per cent year-over-year for March 2024 compared to March 2023 (seasonally adjusted).
Private capital investment is projected to reach $14.2 billion in 2024, an increase of 14.4 per cent over 2023. This is the highest anticipated percentage increase in Canada.
“The new strategy builds on Saskatchewan’s many advantages as the best place to invest in the nation,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “This will lead to more opportunities for local, national and international investors, while solidifying our province as a nation leader in private capital investment. We have seen significant investments in this province over the past several years and this strategy will help build on that momentum. This will create jobs and grow our economy for a brighter future that benefits all Saskatchewan residents.”
Private capital investment in Saskatchewan increased by nearly 25 per cent in 2023 and is expected to lead the nation with an increase of 14.4 per cent in 2024. The strategy is built on the Saskatchewan Advantage, which includes a competitive business environment, low tax and utility rates, a transparent and predictable regulatory environment, a strong suite of incentives and a network of nine international offices that connect Saskatchewan to the world.
“Saskatchewan’s world class resource base, highly skilled talent pipeline and stable and supportive regulatory and investment environment, all gave BHP the confidence to make the largest single investment in the company’s history right here in Saskatchewan,” BHP Potash Asset President Karina Gistelinck said. “Our Jansen potash mine will deliver responsibly produced Canadian potash to the world. We are proud to support the ongoing economic growth of Saskatchewan and applaud the province for their commitment to advancing growth and prosperity in a responsible manner.”
The strategy focuses on three key pillars:
Build – creating opportunities in new and emerging sectors to drive investment and diversify the economy;
Grow – leveraging previous successes and capitalizing on existing strengths in Saskatchewan’s key sectors; and
Connect – connecting the world to Saskatchewan to ensure the province remains a secure, reliable supplier of goods and services.
As part of the strategy, the provincial government launched a new website, investSK.ca, which will serve as a gateway to the province for international business and investors. It provides an overview of the major economic sectors and the world-class investment opportunities in Saskatchewan.
“Saskatchewan’s newly announced Investment Attraction Strategy strikes the right balance between supporting our established industries and encouraging innovation,” Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO Prabha Ramaswamy said. “We look forward to showing the world what our province has to offer and welcoming new partners both in Canada and abroad.”
To continue to be the best place in the world to invest, the Government of Saskatchewan is announcing the following new, expanded or improved incentives. The new Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive will support innovation commercialization projects that target emerging critical minerals including helium, lithium, rare earth elements, copper, zinc, magnesium, nickel, gallium, and aluminum through a 25 per cent transferable royalty/freehold production tax credit.
The new Critical Minerals Processing Investment Incentive will support the development of critical mineral processing in the province, establishing Saskatchewan as a rare earth elements hub. The program will provide a 15 per cent transferable royalty/freehold production tax credit to support the development of processing facilities for 10 emerging critical minerals in Saskatchewan. The new Multi-lateral Well Program will provide an incentive to help jumpstart use of this new more sustainable drilling technology.
The expanded Saskatchewan Technology Start-up Incentive is a non-refundable 45 per cent tax credit to individuals, corporations and venture capital firms that invest in eligible technology startups. This program will see a doubling of its annual tax credit cap from $3.5 million to $7 million and expanded eligibility to include clean technology. Two successful existing incentives are being extended for five more years to 2029, the Oil and Gas Processing Investment Incentive and the Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive.
In early January, Statistics Canada reported significant growth in Saskatchewan’s building permits. The total value of building permits in the province reached $249 million in November 2023 (seasonally adjusted). This is an 83.9 per cent increase from November 2022, and the highest increase in all of Canada. Saskatchewan also experienced notable month to month growth, showing an increase of 19.3 per cent compared to October 2023.
“Continued strength in building permits showcases our province as the prime location for construction and investment across the nation,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “These figures demonstrate the confidence that individuals and businesses have in making real and tangible long-term investments in our province. It is a reflection of the stability and strength of our investment climate that we have worked hard with our partners and stakeholders to create.”
These figures build on Saskatchewan’s strong economic performance. Most recently, Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey showed employment in Saskatchewan reached a record 600,200 in December 2023, adding 22,100 full time jobs year-over-year. This ranked Saskatchewan second among the provinces in terms of percentage change at 3.8 per cent. Saskatchewan ended the year with a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.0 per cent, below the national average of 5.8 per cent.
According to Statistics Canada, wholesale trade has also increased by 22.9 per cent in October 2023, when compared to October 2022 (seasonally adjusted). The total value of wholesale trade for October 2023 is nearly $5.7 billion. Investment in building construction continues to grow, reaching $493 million for October 2023.
Building permits are the dollar value of construction permits for residential and non-residential buildings.
The 2023 Fall Economic Statement, released near the end of November, focused heavily on necessary housing investment, but fell short in other important areas including measures to shore up Canada’s trade-enabling infrastructure. Approximately two-thirds of Canada’s GDP is from trade, yet the statement remained silent on bolstering Canada’s trade network which pays for the social infrastructure Saskatchewan enjoys.
The announcement to leverage the Canada Infrastructure Bank to support more housing may finally recognize the fact that more homes cannot be built without the essential housing-enabling infrastructure to support it – a position the industry has repeatedly emphasized to all orders of government. Details on these necessary investments are missing. The industry is expecting to see a long-term, comprehensive infrastructure investment plan in the federal government’s 2024 Budget.
The industry is encouraged that the federal government recognizes the workforce shortage yet a focus on internal labour mobility rather than more progressive policy changes to immigration are not the answer. Free mobility within Canada is simply not an adequate solution to address the workforce shortage when collectively Canada does not have enough workers coast to coast. This is why the industry is calling on the government to help address the workforce shortage by overhauling immigration to attract labour from abroad.
Finally, while the commitment to getting major projects built faster is positive, implementation will rely in part on the government’s willingness to review and modernize their procurement practices. This includes considering alternative delivery models and better balancing risk between owners and contractors.
The Canadian construction industry will continue to partner with government to build a strong foundation for a stronger Canada.
