Construction grows in Saskatchewan
$52M worth of projects in Moosomin area alone
March 25, 2024, 2:27 pm
Ryan Kiedrowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
While some talk in metaphorical terms about ‘building Saskatchewan,’ the construction industry is taking that idea quite literally. Recent statistics note an 18.4 per cent increase in building construction throughout our province, with $52 million worth of that increase happening in the Moosomin area right now.
“The southeast region of the province is currently experiencing many exciting economic opportunities,” said Daniel Kemp, provincial government spokesperson for Trade and Export Development. “Recent investments in the province by Louis Dreyfus Company, Richardson, and Nutrien, amongst others, continue to play an important role in boosting economic activity in southeast Saskatchewan.”
According to Statistics Canada, Saskatchewan ranks third in the country when it comes to year over year growth for investment in building construction.
“These statistics are further proof that our investment friendly business environment and stable regulatory regime are leading to economic prosperity for the province,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “As our construction sector continues to flourish, Saskatchewan people are seeing the benefits of a strong economy with more added jobs, and how this economic strength leads to a higher quality of life for communities across our province.”
A total of $433 million was put into projects in January alone with 18,700 new full-time jobs added in February. With the third lowest unemployment rate in Canada, job growth was also spurred on by $12.4 billion in private sector capital investment.
“What they look for is tax stability,” said provincial finance minister Donna Harpauer of her conversations with investors. “If they’re going to invest millions, they want to know that the government is stable, that it’s not going to quickly turn on a dime and start raising taxes because they have to do their business plan based on the tax regime that they’re going to invest into. You’ve got to have a stable business environment before they’re going to make a massive investment.”
