Enterprise Saskatchewan

Goal 1 - Economic Growth

Sustain Economic Growth for the benefit of Saskatchewan people, ensuring the economy is ready for growth and positioning Saskatchewan to meet the challenges of economic and population growth and development.

Strategy: E1: Increase economic growth by engaging key stakeholders to better position Saskatchewan in a competitive global economy

E1.1. Work with the Enterprise Saskatchewan Board, Sector Teams, and Strategic Issues Councils to develop strategic recommendations to remove barriers to growth, reform government, identify alternative forms of service delivery, and enhance competition.
E1.2. Work in collaboration with other ministries and agencies to ensure Saskatchewan’s resource royalties, new growth tax incentives, utility rates, corporate, personal, and property tax structures support continued economic growth and investment.
E1.3.

Improve coordination of ministries and agencies in economic development activities through increased communication and the use of interministry working/coordinating groups, the Major Projects Coordination Strategy, the Red Tape Reduction Initiative, the Provincial Economic Strategy, regional economic development plans, provincial infrastructure capital plans, and Sector Team strategies.
E1.4. Work with partners in the various regions of the province to achieve greater regional economic coordination and a more integrated approach to economic development.
E1.5. Assist the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration in creating a provincial labour market strategy that builds partnerships among industry, labour, First Nations and Métis people and organizations, Enterprise Regions, and training institutions to help close labour market supply and demand gaps.

Strategy: E2: Leverage stakeholder relationships to increase investment in Saskatchewan

E2.1. Implement a proactive marketing approach in key national and foreign markets:
E2.1.1 Redesign marketing materials and strategies;
E2.1.2. In conjunction with Intergovernmental Affairs, establish co-located foreign trade offices with Alberta and British Columbia under the New West Partnership International Cooperation Agreement; and,
E2.1.3. Make greater use of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada consular services for marketing and investment attraction.
E2.2. Implement an international investment attraction strategy that coordinates efforts with other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industry to attract and accelerate investments from abroad.
E2.3. Organize investment attraction missions to priority markets in partnership with key stakeholders including Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP).
E2.4. Identify stronger coordination mechanisms between the provincial government and local Enterprise Regions to attract and manage large investments.
E2.5. Support Enterprise Regions in their activities to foster business retention, expansion, and an improved business environment.
E2.6. Participate in national and international events and trade shows with the goal of attracting investment to fill gaps in the current supply chain for key industries.
E2.7. Attract eight to 12 new corporate investments and at least two major head office expansions.

Strategy: E3: Foster economic development by modernizing regulations and enhancing service delivery

E3.1. Work with other partners to expand and enhance one-stop online services such as Saskbiz and BizPaL, Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre, a Regulatory Information Database, and the Information Services Corporation Business Portal.
E3.2. Work with other ministries, Crown agencies, and industry stakeholders to enhance service delivery for gas, electrical, and plumbing permits, licenses, and inspections.
E3.3. Facilitate the adoption of new service-level commitments and standards for ministries and agencies that deal with business.
E3.4. Harmonize regulations affecting trade, investment, and labour mobility by working with Saskatchewan regulators and the governments of Alberta and British Columbia under the New West Partnership.
E3.5. Implement a red tape reduction initiative that identifies regulatory barriers, enhances regulatory reviews, and increases accountability through public reporting.

Strategy: E4: Enhance the economic impact of innovation in Saskatchewan

E4.1. Collaborate with Innovation Saskatchewan to pursue an innovation agenda with key sectors including, but not limited to ag-biotech, value-added resource opportunities, and sustainable energy development.
E4.2. Assist Innovation Saskatchewan to develop programs and policies that enhance access to capital, regulatory competitiveness, industry development, and collaboration between industry and academia.
E4.3. Encourage ministries and Crown corporations to support and assist in the commercialization of Saskatchewan-developed innovative technologies.
E4.4.
Work through programs such as the Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) to accelerate the commercialization of innovation.

Strategy: E5: Provide tools to support development of a diversified, sustainable economy

E5.1. Continue to promote a corporate brand for Enterprise Saskatchewan, its role, mandate, and services through brochures, sponsorships, and partnerships.
E5.2. Enhance the delivery and marketing of the Small Business Loans Assocation (SBLA) program and implement new processes that provide greater automation of client services for both the SBLA program and the Invest in Saskatchewan program.
E5.3. Review the current annual investment limit for labour-sponsored venture capital corporations under the Invest in Saskatchewan program.
E5.4. Work with STEP to develop guidebooks and other tools that help Saskatchewan companies take advantage of procurement opportunities under the New West Partnership.
E5.5. Determine priorities, plan, and negotiate the next WEPA.
E5.6. Support growth of the bio-fuels industry through programs such as the Ethanol Fuel Grant program and the Renewable Diesel Grant program.
E5.7. Provide economic development tools to the Enterprise Regions to help them gather company data and respond to business retention and expansion opportunities.

Strategy: E6: Foster a culture of entrepreneurship

E6.1. Implement tools such as virtual mentorship to enhance business mentorship across the province.
E6.2. Work with other ministries and stakeholders to improve entrepreneurial skills development for K-12 students and in the post-secondary system.
E6.3. Create greater alignment and coordination among organizations providing services and support to Saskatchewan entrepreneurs.
E6.4.
Implement a youth entrepreneurship promotional campaign in partnership with Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (SYPE) and community partners.

Strategy: E7: Increase First Nations and Métis involvement in the economy as partners

E7.1. Work in collaboration with First Nations and Métis Relations and other partners to explore and pursue opportunities to generate employment, expand capacity, and create economic opportunity for First Nations and Métis people.
E7.2. Expand and market the Aboriginal Business Services Directory.
E7.3. Determine priorities, plan, and negotiate a new Economic Development Agreement with the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan for operations of the Clarence Campeau Development Fund.

Strategy: E8: Facilitate greater participation of Saskatchewan's young people in the economy

E8.1. Work with other ministries and stakeholders to build stronger connections between high school students and career opportunities.
E8.2. Foster youth leadership development throughout the province.
E8.3. Assist in the establishment of additional Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (SYPE) chapters in the province and provide leadership to existing chapters.

Saskatchewan Economy Off to a Strong Start in 2012

January 30, 2012
As the first month of 2012 comes to an end, the positive economic news rolled in as job numbers and wholesale trade hit monthly records.