Geography

Plains Indians are credited with originating the name Saskatchewan.Their word was "kisiskatchewan"--meaning the river that flows swiftly-- in reference to the most important waterway running through their territory. Saskatchewan covers 651,900 square kilometres--more than a quarter million square miles. Contrary to popular belief, fully one half the province is covered by forest, one-third is farmland and one-eighth is fresh water.
Saskatchewan is home to a million people, many with family roots in Europe, Russia, Scandinavia and the British Isles. Although the province is dependent on the farm economy, two-thirds of its people live in the cities and towns. Saskatchewan is located in the heart of North America, neighbouring the provinces of Manitoba and Alberta. To the south it borders the American states of Montana and North Dakota.

The Basics
Population : 996,237
Capital City: Regina - Population 200,854
Largest City: Saskatoon - Population 237,017
Highest elevation: Cypress Hills - 1392 m (4,566 ft.) above sea level
Major river systems: North and South Saskatchewan, Assiniboine, Churchill.
Principal Industries: Tourism, agriculture, mining, tourism, construction, manufacturing, oil and petroleum.

Saskatchewan Quick Facts

Centrally located in North America and in Canada

Central standard time zone

570,269 square kilometres of land and 81,631 square kilometres of fresh water

Democratic government run on the parliamentary system, with a Lieutenant Governor and an elected Legislative Assembly

12 cities, 146 towns, 376 villages and 298 rural municipalities

More hours of sunlight than most other places in North America

Moderate climate with four distinct seasons

Temperatures range from +25 degrees Celsius (on average) in summer, to -25 degrees Celsius (on average) in winter

Business Environment

Over the 1995-2005 period, Saskatchewan's real GDP per capita increased at an average annual rate of 2.5 per cent and Saskatchewan's productivity (real GDP per employed person) was second highest among the 10 provinces (1.7 per cent a year).

Saskatchewan had the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the nation, lower than the national rate of 6.6%.

Other economic indicators continue to track well for the province. Manufacturing shipments, potash production, natural gas production, farm cash receipts, international exports, urban housing starts, retail sales, new motor vehicle sales and capital investment are all up. Most economic forecasters expect Saskatchewan to have the fourth-highest rate of economic growth in Canada in 2006. This follows three straight years of solid economic growth (2003, 2004 and 2005).

The Saskatchewan corporate income tax rate on manufacturing and processing profits may be as low as 10%, a reduction of 4% from the general corporate tax rate, effective July 1, 2006.

Manufacturers and processors that establish facilities in Saskatchewan are eligible for a 7% refundable investment tax credit on capital purchases.

As of July 1, 2006, for Canadian-controlled private corporations, the provincial corporate income tax rate on the first $400,000 of active business income is 5%.

Direct agents used in the manufacturing process are exempt from the provincial sales tax.

There is a 45% to 55% employment tax credit in Saskatchewan to encourage film and video producers to operate in the province.

Saskatchewan can provide new employers with employee training grants to a maximum of $5,000 per employee and $150,000 per company..

Utility rates in Saskatchewan are among the most competitive in North America.

Cost of Living

Competitive Cost Advantages:
KPMG Survey on Competitive Alternatives compares the cost of doing business in 128 cities in nine countries (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, the United States and Canada). The survey included four Saskatchewan cities: Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw. KPMG bases its rankings on input costs for labour, taxation, facilities (land, construction, leasing rates), transportation, utilities, depreciation, and financing (interest costs).
Best in the West: Saskatoon was ranked the lowest cost jurisdiction among the 21 featured cities from the North American Midwest, moving up from a second-place ranking in the previous (2004) survey and relegating Edmonton to second place. Saskatoon offers the lowest costs for biomedical research and development among the 21 Midwest cities, the lowest costs on web and multi-media businesses, the lowest costs for call centres, and the third lowest cost environment for agri-food businesses.

• Housing costs are lower in Saskatchewan, and owning a home is affordable for most people
• The health system is second to none, and there are no health care premiums
• The provincial sales tax of seven per cent is lower than in many other provinces
• It costs less to get to and from work because the maximum commute time is about 20 minutes

9-City Housing Comparison
	Detached Bungalow		Executive Detached 2-Storey
City	LOW	HIGH	LOW	HIGH
Regina, SK	$132,000	$149,000	$213,000	$229,000
Saskatoon, SK	145,000	173,000	173,000	230,000
Calgary, AB	214,000	334,000	292,000	600,000
Vancouver, BC	307,000	775,000	415,000	1,150,000
Winnipeg, MB	144,000	240,000	208,000	279,000
Toronto, ON	270,000	595,000	351,000	1,800,000
Ottawa, ON	229,000	445,000	265,000	451,000
Montreal, QC	154,000	250,000	235,000	950,000
Halifax, NS	143,000	205,000	252,000	372,000
Average	$193,000	$352,000	$267,000	$673,000
Regina as a % of average	68%	42%	80%	34%
Saskatoon as a % of average	75%	49%	65%	34%

Education

• Saskatchewan's extensive education system includes a Kindergarten to Grade 12 public and separate (Catholic) school system throughout the province, with some schools offering French Immersion.
• Saskatchewan has top-notch universities in the provinces's two major cities -- the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and the University of Regina in Regina.
• The University of Regina is home to the First Nations University of Canada.
• Skills training is provided by the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) at its four campuses in Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.
• Nine Regional colleges, as well as numerous private vocational schools and career colleges, also provide post-secondary education in all parts of the province.
• Saskatchewan has the country's largest interactive distance training network.

Health Care

Saskatchewan has been a leader in health care for almost 50 years

• Saskatchewan pioneered universal hospital care insurance in the 1940s and comprehensive medical coverage in the 1960s
• Saskatchewan is now concentrating on the "wellness" model, promoting preventive care and innovative service delivery with a system of health care districts across the province
• Health care in Saskatchewan is funded by the provincial and federal governments
• There are no personal premiums or personal charges for basic and needed health services
• Employers do not pay premiums for provincial health care costs for their employees