SK Economic Fundamentals 2008-12

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1208SASK
Saskatchewan posts increases in wages, jobs: Statistics Canada

Saskatchewan`s economy continues to chug along, posting the third-highest, year-over-year increase in wages and jobs among the provinces in October, Statistics Canada says.

The average wage of paid employees in Saskatchewan for October was $765.75 per week, up 0.4 per cent from the previous month and slightly more than the national average increase of 0.3 per cent. Average wages in Saskatchewan, however, remain below the national average of about $800 per week.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...bc-4a02ad0a9520

 

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1208SASK
Shop, shop, shop `til you drop

If the mall parking lots on Tuesday are any indication of the mood of the province, Saskatchewan`s Christmas season should be a good one for retailers.

"Certainly in terms of what we are hearing from our members, Saskatchewan, in particular, and Manitoba are probably the best markets in Canada heading into the holiday season,`` said Lanny McInnes, director of government relations for the Retail Council of Canada.

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/todays-pape...1017/story.html

 

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1208SASK
Saskatchewan leads Canada

Virtually all provinces will see their economies shrink next year, with Ontario and Alberta suffering a near two-per-cent contraction and with only Saskatchewan posting any growth at all, and even that just a marginal 0.6 per cent, a major Canadian bank forecast Tuesday.

"As Canada slides into recession, no region will be immune, TD Bank warned, adding that promised government stimulus can cushion the fall into recession but can`t stop it.

http://www.leaderpost.com/Business/Saskatc...1031/story.html

 

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1208SASK
First Nations make play for Sask. resource riches

Chief Rick Gamble is glad to be home after another business trip to the Far East, but he`ll have little time to relax.

Sitting forward in his office chair, Gamble explains the ambitious course he`s set for this Cree reserve of 1,600 residents an hour`s drive north of Saskatoon.

"Many in this community are fourth-generation welfare recipients. We`ve got to undo that," Gamble said.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...90-b2e77b8b1c2c

 

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1208SASK
Employment age lowered

The minimum age of employment will be lowered to 15 years of age in hotels, restaurants, educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes, starting in mid-January, Saskatchewan Advanced Education, Employment and Labour announced Tuesday.

Prior to the change, the minimum age for working in those five sectors was 16. Fifteen-year-olds will not be allowed to work more than 16 hours per week to ensure they have sufficient time to dedicate to their school work, the ministry said.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...81-413efe56ed01

 

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There will be no news items for Dec 25th and 26th but I will return on Saturday Dec 27th.

Merry Christmas everyone.

 

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1208SASK
Saskaboom: The year in review

Saskatchewan is still riding high on the strength of its export-oriented, resource-rich, commodity-based economy and leads the nation in virtually every economic indicator from GDP and job growth to retail sales and housing prices.

The question is: How much longer can the boom last? The answer is: It all depends.

http://www.leaderpost.com/Business/Saskabo...7959/story.html

 

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1208SASK
Property: Be mindful of security

- You can do it yourself, but first you will need to make sure zoning bylaws allow short-term rentals in your area. Then, arrange appropriate insurance and keep suitable accounting records. Also, arrange for someone to handle cleaning, emergency repairs, or any check in difficulties that your guests may experience.

Hot Spots

Some signs to look for that an area is primed for recreation property growth:

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...f2-eea03527cef1

 

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1208SASK (Swift Current)
Casino opens its doors

The stars won`t be the only things lighting up the night in Swift Current now that the Living Sky Casino has opened its doors.

Local and provincial dignitaries were on hand at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday. Saskatchewan`s newest casino is a partnership between the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Association (SIGA), the File Hills Qu`Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC), the Nikaneet First Nation and the province.

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/todays-pape...1822/story.html

 

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1208SASK
West`s upside to downturn

The National Post presents a week-long series about some of the most interesting ideas to emerge in the past year. Today, the Balkanization of Canada, in which there are three solitudes: Ontario, Quebec and the West.

Until recently, the most notable underperformers in the greater Toronto area were the Maple Leafs. But a high-flying dollar, a spike in commodity prices and an implosion in the auto sector have all turned Canada`s most muscular region into one of Confederation`s little men.

http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/s...html?id=1121329

 

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1208SASK
Utilities, insurance demand grew in 2008

Government-owned companies that supply electricity, heat and auto insurance saw demand for services boom along with the provincial economy in 2008.

The Saskatchewan Party government highlighted a record number of vehicle registrations for SGI, along with thousands of new power and natural gas hookups for SaskPower and SaskEnergy, as it released some year-end figures Monday.

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/todays-pape...4833/story.html

 

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1208SASK
Will Sask. weather the storm?

Saskatchewan is still riding high on the strength of its export-oriented, resource-rich economy and leads the nation in virtually every economic indicator from economic growth to job growth to retail sales and housing prices.

The question is: How much longer can the boom last?

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...d8-fbc4016fbe90

 

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1208RGNA
2008 great for city: mayor

For eight years, Pat Fiacco has held the top job in the city. He sat down recently with the Leader-Post`s Veronica Rhodes to discuss the growth of the city in 2008, why the future of affordable housing in Regina concerns him, whether a new stadium is in the city`s future and if he`ll throw his hat in the ring once again for municipal elections in October.

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/todays-pape...8672/story.html

 

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1208SASK
Land sale records in 2008

Before You Drill... Before industry can drill for oil and natural gas, it needs somewhere to do so. The majority of Saskatchewan`s oil and gas rights are held by the Crown. That`s where the bi-monthly sales of Crown oil and natural gas dispositions come into play. In Western Canada, the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement means resource ownership and management is the purview of the provinces. A clear process is in place to encourage exploration for oil and gas in an orderly manner. More commonly known as "land sales", there are six public offerings of petroleum and natural gas dispositions held every year in Saskatchewan. A land sale is an open and competitive bidding system that determines the granting of special exploratory permits, exploration licences, and oil and gas leases.

http://www.leaderpost.com/Technology/Land+...8733/story.html

 

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1208SASK
Building the foundation for Saskatchewan`s transportation network

Saskatchewan`s exports account for roughly two-thirds of the province`s economic output. As demand for Saskatchewan`s commodities increase from elsewhere in Canada, North American and around the world, the need for a better connection to these markets became more apparent. A strong transportation system links communities, creates jobs and sustains growth through the ability to quickly and efficiently bring commodities to market. However, building and maintaining our provincial highway system -- which at 26,000 km is equivalent to six return trips from Regina to Vancouver -- is a challenge. Saskatchewan also has a significant infrastructure deficit, "an estimated $3.5 billion just to repair thin membrane highways in the province," according to Minister Elhard. "That`s an overwhelming figure, and it doesn`t even include any other maintenance or repairs or the building of new twinned highways," he said.

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/todays-pape...8730/story.html

 

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1208SASK
Saskatchewan housing still experiencing positive market growth

The Saskatchewan housing market had an amazing year in 2007. The housing demand in the province benefited significantly from the very positive prairie economy and the influx of people moving back to Saskatchewan. While the housing numbers have dropped slightly late in 2008, compared with earlier in the year, they are still up from previous years. Doug Elliott, publisher of Sask Trends Monitor, believes there are four main indicators that show the housing situation in Saskatchewan is still strong. Those four important indicators of success are employers in the sector, value of building permits, housing starts and the resale market.

http://www.leaderpost.com/Homes/Saskatchew...8728/story.html

 

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1208SASK
Saskatchewan attracting workers

More than three dozen Ontario workers have heeded the most recent call from Saskatchewan to come west, the provincial government says.

Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said Saskatchewan`s fall appearance at the National Job Fair in Toronto 10 weeks ago has so far resulted in 40 skilled workers being hired, according to some of the companies that joined the government at the fair.

http://www.leaderpost.com/Business/Saskatc...8700/story.html