Business – Key Industries – Transportation & Logistics – Overview

The Saskatoon Region is the commercial centre of Saskatchewan, and was identified as one of Canada’s “Hub Cities” by the Conference Board of Canada.

From its central location, the Saskatoon Region has excellent highway, air, and, rail transportation links to markets throughout North America. Over 300,000 thousand consumers live within 100 kilometres (62 miles) of the city of Saskatoon, over one million people live in Saskatchewan, and more than 9 million people live in western Canada. Saskatoon follows Central Standard Time year round, ensuring excellent and efficient access to the widest range of other North American time zones during normal working hours.

With a considerable amount of local manufacturers and food processors, the Saskatoon Region provides an excellent and cost effective location for the distribution of goods throughout North America and the world. Saskatoon lies at the junction of two of Canada’s major highway systems: the Yellowhead, (Highway 16 from Winnipeg to Edmonton and west); and Highway 11, (a four-lane highway with a direct connection to the Trans-Canada Highway at Regina). Both of these systems join the U.S. Interstate system, through border crossings that serve both the Eastern and Western States. Saskatoon region companies also benefit from a highly competitive warehousing and distribution market out of which operate over 140 trucking companies.

The Canadian National (CN) Railway and Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway lines connect Saskatoon to the world. North American ports on the east coast, west cost and the Gulf of Mexico receive goods from Saskatoon. Both rail service providers also have inter-modal container ports in Saskatoon, allowing goods to be moved from rail to truck with ease.

Saskatoon is also uniquely positioned in Canada to take advantage of two ocean ports on the west coast, the Port of Vancouver and the Port Prince Rupert.  Rail lines east also connect Saskatoon to the St. Lawrence Seaway.