Saskatchewan is experiencing significant economic growth, marked by impressive increases in international merchandise exports and recent legislative changes aimed at streamlining employer obligations. The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced amendments to The Saskatchewan Employment Act to alleviate the administrative burden for employers, all the enquanto ensuring support for employees.
According to Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Jim Reiter, these amendments are driven by the need to modernize labour laws reflecting the province's economic growth. “To meet the needs of a growing Saskatchewan, we need to make sure our labour laws are meeting the needs of Saskatchewan people,” Reiter said. This approach follows comprehensive feedback from various stakeholders, including employers, unions, and individuals, informing changes aimed at providing flexibility for businesses without undermining worker protections.
The amendments introduced consist of several key provisions: employers can now use calendar days instead of 24 consecutive hours for scheduling and overtime calculations; they are prohibited from withholding tips from employees; and the threshold for notifying employees about group terminations has increased from 10 to 25 employees. Further, there is now limited capacity for employers to request sick notes and enhanced authority granted to the director of employment standards to order employee reinstatement or compensation for lost wages due to discriminatory actions. An expansion of leave provisions related to sick leave, maternity leave, interpersonal violence leave, and bereavement leave also stands out as part of the reforms.
These legislative changes come amid another major economic milestone for Saskatchewan. The province recorded the strongest month-over-month growth in international merchandise exports among Canadian provinces as of October, according to data released by Statistics Canada. Exports surged by 21.7 percent from September, reaching $4.3 billion. These figures reflect the dollar value of goods sold internationally, excluding services.
Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding highlighted the significance of these export numbers. “These export numbers show Saskatchewan is providing the food, fuel, fertilizer, and important minerals the world needs,” he stated. Kaeding emphasized the competitive business environment and international engagement initiatives as key drivers of record exports and rising private investment, which are leading to job creation and promising prospects for Saskatchewan’s future.
Looking at the broader economic framework, the international merchandise exports from Saskatchewan totaled over $102 billion for the years 2022 and 2023 combined—marking over 52 percent growth from the prior two years, the highest on record for the province. The statistics reflect not only new markets but also heightened demand for Saskatchewan's agricultural products and natural resources on the global stage.
Saskatchewan's real GDP also reached unprecedented levels, hitting $77.9 billion in 2023. This figure reflects an increase of $1.8 billion or 2.3 percent from the previous year, making it the second-highest GDP growth rate across Canada, significantly outpacing the national average of 1.2 percent.
Private capital investment is projected to soar even higher, anticipated at $14.2 billion for 2024, representing a remarkable increase of 14.4 percent from 2023—setting the stage for continued economic vibrancy.
These developments position Saskatchewan favorably within the Canadian economy, aligning with the province's strategic vision of sustaining growth and ensuring job creation. The alignment of legislative reforms with export successes showcases how local governance can effectively respond to economic dynamics, providing support for employers and safeguarding the interests of the workforce.
With its commitment to enhancing labour laws and boosting international trade, Saskatchewan continues to present itself as a dynamic player on both the local and global economic front, promising opportunities for its residents and investors alike.
