Saskatchewan Labour Market Bulletin

June 2011

Saskatchewan Labour Market Bulletin – June 2011 (PDF version, 82 kb)

The Labour Market Bulletin is produced monthly by economists and labour market analysts employed by Service Canada in the Western Canada and Territories Region.

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Editor, Labour Market Bulletin
Service Canada–Western Canada and Territories Region
Labour Market Information Services
Western Canada and Territories Region
Service Canada
1783 Hamilton Street
Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2B6

Province-wide

Positive GDP growth in 2010: A rebound in Saskatchewan’s mining industry propelled real GDP growth in the province last year. Provincial GDP increased by 4.4% in 2010 after falling by 4.2% one year earlier. The provincial economy is poised for continued growth in 2011, led by additional investments in the province’s energy sector and a rebound in the province’s agricultural sector.

Key Source: Statistics Canada, April 28, 2011

Strong provincial export outlook: Global demand for commodities, such as crude oil, potash and cereal crops, will help boost Saskatchewan’s international exports in 2011. The province’s exports are expected to increase by 19% this year, followed by a more moderate increase of 6% in 2012. This represents good news, as a rise in exports is an important indicator of positive economic growth.

Key Source: Export Development Canada, May 2011

Manufacturing sales growth: Saskatchewan’s manufacturing sector continues to gather momentum, led by gains in the chemical and food manufacturing industries. The gains made in food manufacturing are likely price-driven, as the prices for many food products have increased over the past year. March manufacturing sales reached just over $1 billion, posting year-over-year growth of 14.3%, and outperforming the national increase of 1.9%. This represents very positive news for the provincial manufacturing sector, especially when the recent strength of the Canadian dollar is considered.

Key Source: Statistics Canada, May 17, 2011

Regina Area

Regina - Housing starts increase: Housing demand in Regina remains strong due to in-migration and the province’s healthy economy. Multiple-unit starts escalated by 144% in April, while single detached home starts were up 9% compared to 2010. Total growth was 40% for the first four months of 2011 compared to the previous year. Increased housing construction has intensified the city’s tight labour market for skilled trades.

Key Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Preliminary Housing Start Data, May 9, 2011

Regina – North American Indigenous Games bid successful: Regina will host approximately 10,000 athletes, personnel and fans during the 2014 North American Indigenous Games. Most of the $10.35 million budget for the games is provided by the Province of Saskatchewan, the City of Regina and Sport Canada. The event is expected to generate upward of $30 million in economic spin-offs for the city, in service and tourism-related industries.

Key Source: Government of Saskatchewan News Release, May 16, 2011; Regina Leader-Post, May 17, 2011

Regina – City to host national apprenticeship conference: The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Conference will be held in the City of Regina in June 2012. The event will attract 500 apprenticeship stakeholders from across the country who will discuss major issues affecting trades. High on the agenda is the imminent shortage of skilled workers in the next decade.

Key Source: Regina Leader-Post, May 18, 2011

Bethune – Solution mine preparation begins: K+S Potash Canada acquired Potash One earlier this year and has now started preliminary work on a proposed potash solution mine near Regina. The mine is designed to process one million tonnes of solution annually, although capacity can increase to as much as four million tonnes in 10 to 15 years. Final authorization for mine construction is expected this summer, with construction beginning in 2012 and lasting through 2015. Approximately 800 will be employed during construction and 200 once the plant is operational. Skilled trade shortages are a concern for keeping this project on track.

Key Source: Regina Leader-Post, May 24, 2011

Saskatoon and Rural West

Demand for skilled trades continues with construction of the first commercial River Landing building project: Construction is underway on the River Centre building, a $30 million five-storey office building comprising of 77,000 square feet of rentable office and retail space, along with a fitness centre and bistro. The building should be completed by late 2012. This project will coincide with the construction of the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan, starting in the fall of 2011. Once completed, the River Landing redevelopment project will open the door to increased commercial/cultural development along the bank of the South Saskatchewan River in downtown Saskatoon. These projects, along with other commercial projects underway in the city, continue the demand for skilled trades people.

Key Source: Global Saskatoon, April 29, 2011

Hague – Residential housing project in bedroom community: Consumer demand continues to spur new residential housing projects not only in Saskatoon but also in some bedroom communities. Rosthern Agencies anticipates that a recently announced $900,000 multi-unit townhouse project will sell out quickly. If their hunch is correct, the agency expects additional residential projects will be considered for the community. Hague is approximately 40 kilometres north of Saskatoon and has a population of 707. Construction jobs are an important source of employment in rural communities.

Key Source: Saskatchewan Valley News, April 28, 2011

Airport expansion will create new business opportunities and jobs: As a result of a record number of travellers using the John G. Diefenbaker International Airport, the Saskatoon Airport Authority announced plans to start a ten-year, $105 million capital-spending program. Approximately half of the funds will go toward the upgrade and expansion of the passenger terminal. Construction will start in early 2012 and be complete by June 2014. The new passenger terminal will accommodate 2.2 million passengers annually. In addition to creating construction jobs, the project will increase job opportunities in the hospitality and retail sectors, as new restaurants and other retail and services operations are included in the expansion plans. The airport has experienced various expansions in recent years and currently employs 1,300 people.

Key Source: Saskatoon StarPhoenix, May 5, 2011

BHP Billiton relocates diamond and specialty products business: BHP Billiton will be relocating its Diamond and Specialty Products business in the coming months from its office in Vancouver to Saskatoon. This division is responsible for BHP Billiton’s Saskatchewan potash projects as well as two international projects. The move will see 30 corporate jobs move to its Saskatoon office, which currently employs 69 people. The office in Vancouver will close by early 2012. Over the next decade, potash producers will spend more than $12.2 billion to expand existing mines in Saskatchewan.

Key Source: Government of Saskatchewan News Release, May 10, 2011

Saskatoon and Prince Albert – Job action underway for health care professionals: Job action continues for members of the Health Sciences Association Saskatchewan (HSAS), with 150 members walking the picket line on May 11, 2011, in Saskatoon. The union, which represents about 3,000 workers in the province, is involved in a contract dispute with the employer group SAHO (Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations). The last collective agreement expired two years ago, and negotiations for a new one have stalled. HSAS is seeking a wage increase of 18.5% over four years. HSAS also cites chronic understaffing and SAHO’s decision not to send the contract dispute to independent, binding arbitration as other reasons for the conflict.

Key Source: Saskatoon StarPhoenix, May 11, 2011

New home construction creates more construction jobs: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) April report shows that during the first four months of 2011, new housing starts in the Saskatoon region were 66% higher compared to housing starts during the same period in 2010. CMHC numbers indicated that between January and April, work started on 466 units in the region, while during the same period last year homebuilders started work on 100 family multi-family homes. According to CMHC, interest in multi-family dwellings is due to prospective buyers seeking to purchase affordable housing. Saskatchewan’s robust economy and labour market continue to generate a steady inflow of migrants into the province’s major centres, maintaining a strong demand for all forms of housing.

Key Source: Saskatoon StarPhoenix, May 9, 2011

The Battlefords – New day program facility: Construction in The Battlefords of a new day program facility for people with intellectual disabilities is expected to start this spring and be completed within a year. The benefits of the $3.25 million project are twofold. First, it will create construction jobs during the building process. Second, the completed facility will have space to accommodate 75 people who are already part of the program and an additional eight people who are currently on the provincial government waitlist.

Key Source: NB News-Optimist, May 18, 2011

South-East Saskatchewan

Moosomin – Construction begins on Pipestone Villas: Bridge Road Developments Ltd. and Pipestone Villas Inc. started construction on the $5.3 million Pipestone Villas apartment complex. The construction plan involves three phases and will include 78 units. The first phase, construction of 24 units, is scheduled for completion the end of this year. This project is important to the community of 2,500, as it will provide additional housing and will create employment opportunities for those living in the area.

Key Source: The World-Spectator, May 9, 2011

South-West Saskatchewan

Nil report.

Northern Saskatchewan

Shellbrook – Physician shortage: Three doctors are leaving the Town of Shellbrook at the end of July 2011. Another physician finished a six-month locum in April. These departures reduce Shellbrook’s physician count from seven to four. Already, emergency services have been suspended for some days in May at the Shellbrook Hospital. The Prince Albert Parkland Health Region is committed to maintaining emergency department and inpatient services, so is working with the Ministry of Health on short and long-term plans to make that happen. Maintaining health services is an ongoing challenge for rural communities like Shellbrook, which serves a population of 10,000 people.

Key Sources: Shellbrook Chronicle, April 22, 2011

Prince Albert – New Family Treatment Centre: RNF Ventures Ltd. has been awarded a $7.6 million contract to build a new Family Treatment Centre in Prince Albert. Construction of the facility is likely to boost employment for local workers, while the operation of the centre will create several new mental health and addictions jobs.

Key Source: Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, May 24, 2011

Tisdale – Seniors Complex: Construction is well underway on Caleb Village, a new senior-assisted living complex in Tisdale. The $15 million project will provide about 94 residences for people aged 55 and older. A variety of jobs will be created when the facility opens in early 2012, including opening for: cooks, servers, activity coordinators, foot care workers and housekeepers.

Key Source: Tisdale Recorder, May 4, 2011