Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority - Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority

Ambassador Program – Regions – Videos

Welcome to our segment on the Ambassador Program – Regions. We hope that you will take a moment to view the following videos and visit their accompanying web sites to learn more about the vibrant communities of Saskatoon and surrounding areas.

Saskatoon – http://www.saskatoon.ca/

Waldheim – http://waldheim.ca/

Langham – http://www.langham.ca/

 Delisle – http://www.townofdelisle.com/

 Warman – http://www.townofwarman.ca/

Rosthern – http://www.rosthern.com/

RM of Blucher – http://www.rm343.com/

Osler – http://www.osler-sk.ca/

Aberdeen – http://www.aberdeen.ca/index.html

Hague – http://www.townofhague.com/

Asquith – http://townofasquith.com/

Dalmeny – http://www.dalmeny.ca/

Foreign Direct Investment and International Trade

SREDA works on international investment attraction initiatives to attract, retain and expand international investment in the Saskatoon Region. SREDA and other key partners participate in trade missions that promote our province and region as an attractive and competitive destination for international investment to targeted companies within priority markets. SREDA works closely with our partners to identify and advance common interests, provide policy advice, strategic analysis and pursue opportunities that results in further growth, diversification and competitiveness of the regional economy.

SREDA Investors/Partners

Business Development Incentives

The City of Saskatoon, surrounding towns and rural municipalities may offer companies in targeted industrial sectors significant tax abatement incentives to encourage expansion or location of operations and facilitate long-term skilled or semi-skilled job creation. Each community within the Saskatoon Region has different policies concerning business incentives, so please read on for more specific information.

The aim of these business incentives is to enable new or expanding companies to allow some transition time for new business start-ups or expansions.  Communities are able to create an attractive environment for new businesses to locate and existing business to expand in the Saskatoon Region with incentives including, but not limited to, tax abatements, waiving of utility deposits and exemptions or reductions of prepaid servicing levies.

Competitive Business Costs

According to the KPMG 2010 Competitive Alternatives Report:

• Saskatoon ranks #2 for cost competitiveness in Western Canada
• Saskatoon ranks #2 for cost competitiveness in the Midwest U.S./Western Canada

See:  KPMG Competitive Alternatives Study 2010

The Saskatoon Region shone in 2010 and continues to be the place to invest in 2011.  The Conference Board of Canada reports that the Saskatoon Census Metropolitan (CMA) led Canada in 2010 with the fastest population growth at 2.7% to 265,300 people.  The Saskatoon Region’s population represents  over ¼ of Saskatchewan’s total population.  In addition to this, the average disposal income of the population has been steadily increasing.

2010 Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) results showed an overall increase of 3.9% in the Saskatoon CMA compared to the previous year (from $9.3 Billion to $9.7 Billion).  In terms of GDP as a percentage by sector, gains were made in 2010 over 2009 in the wholesale and retail trade (1% ↑) and primary and utilities (1% ↑).

2010 Saskatoon GDP Breakdown by Sector

Source: Conference Board of Canada

Why Invest in the Saskatoon Region

A Strong, Diversified Economy

• Conference Board of Canada names the Saskatoon Region as one of the most diversified economies in North America
• World-Class Research and Development Infrastructure
• Competitive Business Climate
• Sustained Population Growth
• Increasing Personal Incomes
• Higher Consumer Confidence
• Continued Industrial & Commercial Expansion
• Strong Resale Housing Market

World-Class Businesses

Many world-class businesses have chosen to locate in the Saskatoon Region, including:

• PotashCorp
• Cameco
• BHP Billiton
• Areva Resources
• Hitachi Industries
• Maple Leaf Foods
• Case New Holland
• Cargill
• Bayer Crop Science
• Dow AgroSciences

ConsiderCanada.com

Canada is an aggressive trading nation. Accumulated Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Canada from 2000 to 2009 amounted to US$391.4 billion — higher than FDI for Brazil, India, Mexico and Russia. In 2009, exports and imports of merchandise totaled 58.9% of Canada’s GDP, making it one of the most open economies on the planet.

SREDA represents the City of Saskatoon as one of the 11 largest cities in Canada on a combined economic development group called the C-11.  The C-11 has combined forces to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Canada and into our respective regions through its new initiative ConsiderCanada.com.  Economic development professionals from Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Québec City, Winnipeg, the Waterloo Region, and Saskatoon work together every day to guide companies to the city or cities that offer the most strategic fit.

Why Invest in Canada

Canada is an attractive location for FDI for many reasons, including the strength of Canada’s banking system (among the world’s soundest) and having the fastest economic growth among G7 countries for 2011 according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The compelling list of reasons to consider Canada’s large cities starts with the country’s stellar economic fundamentals, such as:

• World’s soundest banking system, according to the World Economic Forum
• Fastest economic growth among G7 countries for 2011, according to the IMF
• The highest proportion of post-secondary graduates in the OECD
• Lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7
• Lowest taxes on new business investment in the G7
• Lowest R&D costs in the G7, with a 12.9% advantage over the U.S.
• High quality of life featuring publicly-funded healthcare
• A commitment to the rule of law and a strong justice system

For further information, please visit www.ConsiderCanada.com

The economic forecast continues to look impressive for Saskatchewan in 2011.  All of the major Canadian economic development forecasting groups (Conference Board of Canada, RBC, CIBC, TD, Scotiabank and BMO) predict that Saskatchewan’s GDP will increase from 3% to 5.5% in 2011.

Why Invest in Saskatchewan

• Saskatchewan is a commodity rich province with an abundance of natural resources and value-added industries;
• Saskatchewan experienced continued economic growth in 2010
• New capital investment in Saskatchewan expected to exceed $15 billion in 2010 for the first time ever.
• Saskatchewan’s government has worked to create a stable economic environment supportive of business and commerce.
• Saskatchewan is weathering the world economic storm, although it has felt the effects.
• The province is a low-cost and competitive jurisdiction.
• Saskatchewan offers excellent infrastructure with ongoing government reinvestment.
• There is a high capability here for innovation across a range of industries, and at lower cost than the U.S. and Europe.
• The province has an availability of natural resources for resource-seeking foreign direct investment (FDI), with excellent infrastructure, financial stability and regulatory environment.
• Saskatchewan is Canada’s largest exporter and recipient of FDI per capita. The province may be small, but it has international reach.
• Competitive Taxation
  • Nationally competitive tax rates (one of the lowest rates in Canada)
  • Manufacturers and Processors Benefit from Investment Tax Credit
  • Manufacturers and Processors Profits Tax Reduction
  • Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Credit

For further information, please visit www.enterprisesaskatchewan.ca/InvestingSask

Investing – Ambassador Program – Overview