People & Places
Saskatchewan - the 'miracle' province
Mr Rupen Pandya, assistant deputy minister of Saskatchewan immigration services, answers our questions about the province and its near-miraculous economy
On paper, Saskatchewan's economy appears a little narrow (for example, 8 per cent of its workforce is employment in the agriculture sector compared to a national figure of 1.9 per cent). With this in mind, is it fair to say that although there is high employment in Saskatchewan, job opportunities are often only in a limited number of labour market sectors? If so, does this limit the appeal of Saskatchewan to prospective immigrants?
Saskatchewan's abundant resources, which include one-quarter of the world's uranium and one-third of the world's potash, are the foundation of our broad economic base. We are also known for our science and innovation clusters that include research and development in life sciences, our synchrotron known as the Canadian Light Source, the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, to name a few. So it's no surprise that almost all sectors of our economy have witnessed employment growth. In 2008, the sector with the highest employment proportion was the trade sector, followed by the health care and social assistance sector. The agriculture sector is now in third position. So, job opportunities exist in a variety of sectors of the economy. Currently, on Saskjobs.ca alone, there are 5,844 jobs posted in a range of sectors and at different skill levels.
In the last three years, Saskatchewan has seen its population increase by 3.6 per cent. Today there are more than 1,030,129 people living in Saskatchewan--this is the third fastest increase among all provinces in Canada, behind only Alberta and British Columbia. In fact, Saskatchewan's population jumped by 16,509 between July 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009. That's the largest population increase in any 12-month period since 1952-53.
There is no limit to the opportunities Saskatchewan affords to prospective immigrants who choose to make our growing province their home.
Which skills does Saskatchewan's economy most need to attract from outside its borders?
By 2012, we expect that through our economic expansion and the retirement of workers, Saskatchewan will create an estimated 86,000 employment opportunities at all skill levels. Occupations in trades, transport, and equipment operation are increasing because these sectors of our economy are growing steadily. At the same time, the number of people working in trades; transport and equipment operation; sales and service; professional, scientific and technical services; and business, finance and administration will continue to grow. In terms of credentials, three out of every five opportunities, or 62 per cent, will require management or post-secondary education and training. Nearly 9 out of 10 employment opportunities (89 per cent) will require a minimum equivalent of a high school diploma
Is the SINP still receiving as many - if not more - applications as it was before the onset of the global recession? Do you have figures on the total number of SINP nominees each year for the past five years, and a breakdown of the top source countries that you can share with me?
Despite the global recession, interest in the SINP remains high. The program has grown significantly in the last few years. In 2004, we had 257 applications and 200 nominations—that's 620 people. Only four years later, applications have increased to just under 3,500 and nominations increased to 2,914 as of the 2009-10 fiscal year, for a total of 9,000 people. And Saskatchewan expects approximately 3,400 nominations for the 2009-10 fiscal year, which adds up to 10,500 people.
Top 10 Source Countries for SINP Nominations
Philippines
China
Ukraine
UK
Germany
South Korea
South Africa
India
Vietnam
Russia
If there has been a spike in interest in Saskatchewan from prospective immigrants, do you expect interest to drop when the employment picture improves in Canada's other provinces? If so, why?
Saskatchewan expects immigration levels to continue to be strong, irrespective of improvements in the economy across Canada. Service Canada tells us that over the next five years immigration will account for 100 per cent of Canada's net labour force growth and by 2030 100 per cent of its population growth. This means that competition for people to fill much needed job vacancies will intensify in the future—and not only within Canada, but globally.
Saskatchewan is positioning itself to meet this challenge by enhancing its relations with other countries across the world and collaborating in areas of mutual benefit. For example, in 2006, Saskatchewan signed a workforce development agreement with the Philippine government, the first of its kind in North America, which facilitates the movement of skilled workers from the Philippines to Saskatchewan. We have seen this agreement in action and today the Philippines is the leading source country for immigrants under the SINP.
Has the SINP received an increased number of applications since the 'new' Federal Skilled Worker system was introduced in November 2008 and the number of occupations that are eligible for a visa without a job offer has been cut?
The SINP continues to see growth in the number of applications received. In comparison to the first half of 2008, applications have increased substantially in the first 6 months of 2009.
Are there any areas of Saskatchewan's economy that the SINP is actively trying to develop in order to broaden the province's economic base?
SINP is experiencing a demand for workers in a variety of occupations that reflect the province's broad economic base and growing economy. For example, trades workers are in short supply due to the province's strong growth in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
The SINP continues to work with sectors that are experiencing severe skill shortages, including those that involve low/semi-skilled occupations that do not normally qualify under the SINP. We recently launched a pilot project with Service Canada to ensure that employers in the hospitality sector have the option to offer permanent employment to semi-skilled workers in the areas of food and beverage service, food counter attendant/kitchen helpers, or housekeeping/cleaning staff. A similar project was initiated a number of years ago with truck drivers.
Just recently, we've expanded our Entrepreneur Category of the SINP to include, among other changes, a special Science and Technology component. The Science and Technology stream will be open to people who have a patent, innovative idea or plan to partner with an existing Saskatchewan science and technology entity.
Although other Canadian provinces have been feeling the squeeze in economic terms, Saskatchewan's unemployment rate has actually decreased this year. What's the secret?
Saskatchewan's low unemployment rate at present, which is only 4.6 per cent compared to Canada's 8.4 per cent, is the result of a high level of economic diversification, significant population growth, abundant resources, and infrastructure investments by the provincial government.
Economic expansion in the province brought on by high levels of demand for many of Saskatchewan's commodities has produced a good deal of construction and other related development activity. That is why Saskatchewan is facing a shortage of workers and needs to attract talent from other provinces within Canada and other countries around the world.
This is not to suggest that the global recession has not had an impact on Saskatchewan, but, relative to other provinces and countries, our economic growth has sheltered Saskatchewan from the worst effects of the economic downturn. Our economy continues to be buoyant and employment levels are still showing significant increases.
Why should prospective immigrants consider moving to Saskatchewan?
With its natural beauty and its abundant resources and opportunities, Saskatchewan's welcoming communities are ideal places to live, raise your family, work, and study.
Our province was built by indigenous people and immigrants from around the world. Today, immigration continues to be an important factor in building and sustaining dynamic communities and economic growth in Saskatchewan.
As we continue to grow and prosper, Saskatchewan's quality of life remains high, and the cost of living remains low. That makes Saskatchewan a great place to live and raise a family, and a great place to locate or invest in a business.
Housing costs are lower in Saskatchewan than in most major cities in Canada, and owning a home is affordable and achievable for most people.
The health system is second to none, and there are no health care premiums.
It costs less to get to and from work because the maximum commute time within major cities is about 20 minutes.
In Saskatchewan there are affordable educational opportunities at every level. We have wonderful public schools, French immersion schools, private parochial schools, universities, colleges, and technical schools. Also, through our Graduate Retention Program (GRP), both Canadian and international students who complete eligible programs and choose to work in Saskatchewan can apply to receive a refundable income tax credit rebate of up to $20,000 in tuition fees over a 7 year period.
We have safe, welcoming, and family oriented communities that offer great opportunities for healthy living.
Saskatchewan is renowned for innovation in many sectors, including but not limited to, oil and gas, mining, science and technology, life sciences, and arts and culture.