Our province started off 2025 strong and continues to produce great economic numbers, allowing our government to invest in areas of need in Saskatchewan communities. According to Statistics Canada, our province tied for the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 5.4 per cent (below the national average of 6.6 per cent) and added 9,900 new jobs year-over-year for January.
Saskatchewan continues to regularly have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. Our government is committed to ensuring that our province continues to grow as our economy continues to create new jobs and more opportunities for generations to come.
In building permits, the province ranks second in year-over-year growth. The latest numbers from Statistics Canada show the value of the province’s building permits increased by 59.4 per cent from December 2023 to December 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
These numbers follow last month’s report, which placed Saskatchewan second among the provinces for both year-over-year and month-over-month growth in the value of building permits. Our business-friendly environment is driving more investment and economic activity. Through our investment attraction efforts, more people are choosing Saskatchewan to live, work and raise a family.
While the upward trend in economic growth continues, our government is investing the benefits back into the people of this great province. Over the next two years, our government is investing $3.8 million in 16 agencies under the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence.
Our government remains committed to preventing interpersonal violence and abuse in all forms. As Saskatchewan’s implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence is focused on prevention and awareness, this investment will provide enhanced programs and supports in communities across the province.
Investment also continues to support Saskatchewan charitable and nonprofit groups. These groups provide programs and services ranging from animal rescue and youth sports to arts and culture. Our government provided $1.5 million in charitable gaming grants in the third quarter of 2024-25, benefiting more than 700 groups and organizations.
Other regions across the province, like Prince Albert, received more than $30,000 in funding. Last year, nearly 2,500 groups and organizations qualified for a charitable gaming grant and we encourage even more groups to apply this year. You can find out more information at www.slga.com/permits-and-licences/charitable-gaming.
In healthcare, our government remains committed to ensuring Saskatchewan residents have access to safe, high-quality and timely care. The Prince Albert Victoria Hospital continues to make great progress. The new multi-story tower will feature a heliport, an expanded emergency department, pediatric and maternity care, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, advanced medical imaging and a First Nations and Métis Cultural space.
Overall inpatient capacity will grow by 40 per cent, increasing the number of beds from 173 to 242. New operating rooms will also be larger, more modern and designed for current and future surgical techniques to help increase the hospital’s surgical capacity.
As the MLA for Prince Albert Carlton, I look forward to listening and serving you better while representing your best interests in the Legislature. If you have any questions or concerns about government programs and services, please don’t hesitate to contact my constituency office at (306) 922-2828 or by email at pacarltonmla@sasktel.net. You’re also welcome to stop by our office, located at Bay 4 – 406 South Industrial Drive.
