QUOTE (MikeMcCrae @ Oct 7 2008, 10:29 AM) I used to work for Halliburton. They operate all over the world including places like the Ivory coast and even Iraq. When I once questioned why the division I worked for did almost no business in Saskatchewan the answer I was given was "it has an unfriendly government".
Like Rebecca says it is pretty risky and the overall mentality is socialist so the right wing government is not likely to last too long..
I would disagree on the whole government thing. To me, not so much of an issue anymore. Overall socialist attitude is changing and Brad Wall is doing an excellent job of promoting our resources to the world.
The fundamentals have changed are things are rolling. SK has EVERYTHING the world is demanding (ie. food, fuel, fertilizer). The big concern to me is these fundamentals likely don`t support housing costs on an affordability basis. Our wages, overall, have not yet caught up to Alberta levels. Another thing we have looked at is rent vs purchase price ratios and rents in SK are nowhere close to AB levels.
I think in SK we will see levels of in-migration slow or cease as the low cost of living benefit is no longer available and employers are going to have to start forking out some real dough to attract workers. And lastly is market size....SK is only 1M people in which 50% of the population lives in either Regina or Saskatoon.
SK will do well over the next 5 years, however it is likely that Alberta real estate will outperfom due to even STRONGER fundamentals.