A Strong Labour Force for A Strong Saskatchewan

Released on March 23, 2022

A strong Saskatchewan requires a strong economy, supported by a strong labour force. In the 2022-23 Budget, the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training (ICT) will continue undertaking initiatives geared toward attracting and retaining skilled workers for the province. 

"Saskatchewan's strong economy has continued to create jobs and we have consistently had among the lowest unemployment rates in Canada," Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "Our success is continuing with major new investments coming into the province, and to support this, government and industry are working together to leverage these job opportunities for the people of Saskatchewan as well as to identify workforce needs now and into the future." 

The Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Practices Act is being introduced in the budget to support the attraction of skilled workers to the province.  The Act will establish the Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Practices Office in the ministry and will support the competitiveness of Saskatchewan by ensuring the province is the leading jurisdiction in Canada for simplifying the process for skilled workers to become licensed and enter the labour force. By reducing barriers to working in Saskatchewan, it will assist the efforts of employers to recruit domestically and internationally to fill job vacancies in communities across the province.  

Budget 2022-23 provides ongoing funding to ICT to support programs for employer-driven, short-term training to employees, establishing a foundational skills framework for Canadians to participate in the labour market, and the Labour Market Transfer Agreement funding.

The Immigration and Career Training budget for 2022-23 includes: 

• $2.5 million for the Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy, a new support program offering employer-driven, short-term training for employees. 
• $2.0 million for Skills for Success, a new foundational skills framework for Canadians to participate in the labour market. 
• $1.4 million increase for the carry-over of Labour Market Transfer Agreement funding.

The budget also provides continued funding to support employers and individuals as the province recovers from the economic impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and gets back on track. This includes the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission, support programs for newcomers and Adult Basic Education.

The ministry has a critical role in the upcoming year to progress the Growth Plan goals and will help advance toward achieving them for a strong Saskatchewan. This includes a greater focus on employment to help meet the 100,000 new jobs target and increase labour participation, including for underrepresented groups. The ministry will also work to ensure that skills required by employers in Saskatchewan align and assist in the increase of labour force participation and higher retention of newcomers to Saskatchewan, which will support population growth and increase employer access to the talent pool of skilled workers.

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