Overview of Saskatchewan's Economy

There is much opportunity to grow your business in Saskatchewan with many strong business sectors including Energy, Minerals, Tourism, and Crown Opportunities.

According to Statistics Canada’s preliminary estimates, Saskatchewan had a real GDP of $41.6B. Saskatchewan’s real growth rate was the highest among the provinces in 2008. Despite the economic downturn we are growing our GDP every year.

Saskatchewan has many opportunities and we are poised to maintain our developments:

• Saskatchewan is the world’s largest uranium producer and is recognized as a long-term, stable source of uranium.
• Saskatchewan is the world’s largest potash producer and exporter, supplying 31% of world production in 2007. 
• Diamonds – the discovery of the world’s largest field of diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes has led to extensive exploration and drilling by more than 30 companies.
• Gold production from the Canadian Shield.
• Advanced projects for rare earth elements.
• A spectrum of other commodities including copper, zinc, lead, platinum group metals, nickel and silver.
• Industrial minerals – calcium and magnesium brines, gypsum, graphite, silica sand and clays, peat, building stone, limestone, salt – with potential for commercial development. 
• Third-largest coal producer in Canada with reserves in excess of 30 billion tones.

Saskatchewan has a variety of manufacturing companies with products that are internationally recognized. 

• Some of our products include value added agriculture, furniture, specialty vehicles such as ambulances, highway trailers, agricultural equipment, mining and industrial equipment, satellite and landline communications technology.

Saskatchewan has made a mark in energy production:

• Crude Oil – We are the 2nd largest oil-producing province – with about 17% of all Canadian crude oil production.
• Natural Gas- We’re the 3rd largest natural gas-producing province.
• Oil Sands in Saskatchewan, Located immediately adjacent to the massive Athabasca oil sands deposit. Estimated 2.7 million hectares (6.7 million acres) of potential in northwest Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan tourism generates approximately $1.5 billion a year with over 3,000 tourism operators. Saskatchewan has an international reputation for hosting large and prestigious events such as the 2010 Women’s World Curling Championships and the 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships.

Every year crown corporations purchase more that $2 billion worth of goods and services, from existing suppliers.  This translates into a significant number of opportunities available for Aboriginal businesses.  ES is committed to working with all businesses in Saskatchewan and encourages Aboriginal businesses to identify themselves through the Aboriginal Business Directory for these growing business sectors.

Saskatchewan is entering a period of growth and needs more involvement of Aboriginal business to meet corporate procurement needs and help sustain this period of growth.

In order to bid on corporate opportunities listed through our suppliers site, you must first become a registered supplier with each of the Crown corporations.  Each Crown has its own procurement office that utilizes its own supplier lists. To find out more on how to become a registered supplier, please contact each Crown individually.  Please refer to corporate profiles for Crown contact information.

ES will work at providing other links to procurement offices in Saskatchewan. Please regularily check for updates as these partnerships are made through the ABD.

 By the year 2017, the potential of engaging Aboriginal people in the nation’s workforcecan increase Canada’s GDP by $160 billion. (Source: Centre for the Study of Living Standards).