Opportunities for First Nations’ Business in Saskatchewan

Opportunities
Overview of Saskatchewan's Economy

In 2009, Saskatchewan’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in basic prices stood at $36.9 billion (adjusted for inflation—2002 chained dollars), according to preliminary estimates from Statistics Canada. The goods-producing industries accounted for 38.9 per cent of the province’s real GDP in 2009, while the services-producing industries accounted for 61.1 per cent.

Real GDP in the mining and petroleum sector was $4.6 billion, or 12.4 per cent of total real GDP, which was the largest goods-producing sector last year. The agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector, which stood at $4.5 billion or 12.1 per cent of total real GDP, was the second-largest, followed by the manufacturing sector at $2.8 billion (7.7 per cent of total real GDP) and the construction sector at $2.4 billion (6.7 per cent).

We have many different sectors – each providing many different opportunities.

Saskatchewan has many opportunities in minerals:

Court proceedings

Drugs and weapons bust in Stanley Mission, results in two year sentence

12h ago

health care

La Loche recipient of new portable blood analyzer, printer kit

14h ago

Crime

Dangerous driving report at Red Wing, leads to arrest of man with gun

17h ago

An abundance of mineral wealth makes Saskatchewan a world leader in potash and uranium.
Saskatchewan has an abundance of two of the most desired minerals in the world – potash and uranium. In fact, with 33% of global potash production and 21% of global uranium production, Saskatchewan is the world's leading supplier of both commodities. The prairie province also produces gold, coal, salt, silica sands, kaolin, sodium and potassium sulphate, as well as clays.
In 2008, Saskatchewan's mineral production was the highest in Canada, with sales amounting to $9. billion. In the past five years, more than $1.2 billion has been spent on exploration. Currently, the province is exploring opportunities to add value to its vast uranium resources in some areas of the nuclear cycle.
The discovery of the world's largest field of diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes has led to extensive exploration and drilling for diamonds. The province also has endowments of copper, zinc, nickel, rare earth minerals and platinum group elements.

Saskatchewan has a variety of manufacturing companies with products that are internationally recognized.

Saskatchewan is a manufacturing hub that is geared to produce.
Our manufacturers have achieved many world firsts – in everything from satellite communications technology to dryland farming equipment to roadside scales for the trucking industry.
Key manufacturing clusters include machinery, transportation and industrial equipment; food, crop and beverage processing; wood products; and chmical manufacturing. Emerging clusters include aerospace and defence, automotive accessories, and electronics and instrumentation.
Nearly a third of Saskatchewan's manufacturing takes place outside its two largest cities, representing a well-dispersed industrial base.

Saskatchewan has made a mark in energy production:

Saskatchewan is an energy giant, with the most diverse primary energy resource base in Canada.
Accounting for a third of Canada's primary energy production, Saskatchewan is one of the few jurisdictions in the world to produce crude oil, natural gas, uranium, biofuels, geothermal, wind and hydro power.
Producing 440,000 barrels of oil a day, Saskatchewan is the second largest oil producer in Canada. The province exports more oil to the United States than does Kuwait. With estimated reserves of almost 1.2 billion barrels, refining and upgrading capacity, 23,000 kilometres of pipeline, world-class research facilities and a strong network of suppliers, opportunities abound in Saskatchewan's oil patch.
The province is the world's leading supplier of uranium – 80% of this uranium is exported, with the remainder fuelling nuclear reactors in Canada. Saskatchewan's uranium is responsible for 6% of the electricity generated in the United States.

One of our fastest growing industries is attracting attention, naturally:

Tourism is one of Saskatchewan's fastest growing industries, with over 8.6 million visitors contributing $1.5 billion annually to the provincial economy. More than 55,000 Saskatchewan people are employed in tourism and tourism-related activities, from vacation ranches in the southern grasslands to fishing lodges in the northern forest.
Saskatchewan boasts over 100,000 lakes and rivers, and more hours of sunshine than any other Canadian province or territory, making it an ideal location for outdoor recreation. Two national parks and 34 provincial parks offer countless opportunities for adventure, exploration, learning and relaxation.
Golf is very popular, too. Saskatchewan has almost 300 courses, including several exceptional new gold destinations and resorts.
As Saskatchewan's popularity as a destination continues to grow, the province's numerous natural advantages position its tourism industry well for growth and diversification.

Every year crown corporations purchase more that $2 billion worth of goods and services, from existing suppliers. This translates into a significant number of opportunities available for Aboriginal businesses. ES is committed to working with all businesses in Saskatchewan and encourages Aboriginal businesses to identify themselves through the Aboriginal Business Directory for these growing business sectors.

Saskatchewan is entering a period of growth and needs more involvement of Aboriginal business to meet corporate procurement needs and help sustain this period of growth.

In order to bid on corporate opportunities listed through our suppliers site, you must first become a registered supplier with each of the Crown corporations. Each Crown has its own procurement office that utilizes its own supplier lists. To find out more on how to become a registered supplier, please contact each Crown individually. Please refer to corporate profiles for Crown contact information.

ES will work at providing other links to procurement offices in Saskatchewan. Please regularily check for updates as these partnerships are made through the ABD.

By the year 2017, the potential of engaging Aboriginal people in the nation’s workforcecan increase Canada’s GDP by $160 billion. (Source: Centre for the Study of Living Standards).