While Ontario and other provinces struggle with harsh economic realities … yet refuse to shed their socialist pocket digging ways … Saskatchewan thrives. In fact, Saskatchewan has become Canada’s place for new beginnings.
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Saskatoon is a boon for tradesmen, truckers, and most blue collar workers. Tradesmen in particular will find the place a Mecca where their skills are being begged for and where the newly announced tax structure will add plenty of punch to good wages. An added bonus, is that the recent housing boom has caused Saskatoon’s many longtime residents to enter the market as sellers to capture higher prices, and the incredible glut of homes for sale has caused a temporary 27% drop in house prices.
isn’t the West wonderful !!
As Quebec basks in its false economy and Ontario rusts, the Western economy just keeps taxes low and provides jobs for hard working Canadians.
Saskatoon is a lovely prairie city. It’s got that open-air quality to it. Glad you’ve got a sensible government now, too.
Great photo, BTW.
Do SK cities have segregated aboriginal urban reserves ???
I heard they do because so many aboriginals are coming out of the bush and settling into the cities to receive social assistance and services.
My workplace (grocery sector) recently hired several immigrants from the Ukraine. They are very industrious, hard-working, and well-educated. Their backgrounds are in engineering, nursing, dentistry, medicine, dietetics, lab technology etc.
My employer hires these people on the spot. Where else can you employ such an eager, motivated and highly educated workforce for bargain wages.
Naturally, once these employees completely learn English and upgrade their skills to Canadian standards, they will move to positions for which they originally trained. Hopefully, many will make Sask. their permanent home.
This is the 1900’s in Sask. all over again. Sask will be the better for gaining educated, industrious, and adventurous citizens who see an opportunity of their lifetime in our booming economy.
Observant, wtf? Cjunk posts a celebration of the new growth in previously moribund Sask, and you come up with “segregated aboriginal urban reserves”, are you mental?
What’s your point here?
Observant, I don’t know about that, but we do have a lot of white trash receiving social assistance and services. Were you thinking of joining them?
What are they paying experienced ( 15 years )dozer operators there ? Thinking of moving closer to home.
er… I was wondering how far out in left field that came from, guess it’s already taken care of.
The Ukrainians I’ve met as “new canadians” have been exactly as the good friends and grandparents I knew many years ago, hard working, and honest people. I’d like to know if they are as good with a “home cooked” meal as my memory serves… I wouldn’t hesitate to hire any of them, or have them as my neighbors.
Good on you Saskatoon.
Observant: Some Sask cities have urban reserves which are NOT segregated and Sask cities have an ever growing number of working, productive, and capable aboriginals who are also cashing in on the boom. Our northern mines, which are expanding and thriving hire large numbers of aboriginals who are benefiting. Our techinical schools and colleges have many motivated aboriginal students who enter the workforce at all levels and in all places. This boom includes “everyone” who is willing to work.
Of course, there are always those of all races who’d rather be parasites … but last I checked neither Tarana nor the Left Coast had any shortage of this class.
Sorry folks … just googled ..”regina saskatoon urban reserves aboriginal” .. and got all the info … quite illuminating too.
What about the mosquito infestation across all the prairie cities … big as birds I hear ….LOL
can you name your dog mohammad and walk around with his name on his sweater and not get shot? I heard there was a huge community of islamists thriving and growing…creeping into all walks of life, infrastructure and jobs in the cities inner workings? sort of like in Toronto…I called the city transit to report an assault here on a senior…a woman who was reading her koran and held it up to catch a sneeze when exiting the subway and the news stand vendor rushed out and grabbed her and physically and verbally assaulted her…after the police in toronto did nothing…she called the city…the man in the office of the city councillor and mayor told her it was her fault because she insulted his religion and she needed to understand this…She asked his name…He said Hussain…so she decided to go there in person…they finally referred her to the President of the organization that holds the franchizes for the news stands on city subway property. He said they would counsel the man and if he didn’t stop the over four months of verbal threats and harrassment to this woman…they would not renew his contract in May 2009.
So what I mean by this is…watch out Saskatoon…I lived there in 2004 for 6 months after retiring, while my son completed his last year law…it was a great city then,,,but I recall being driven home by a cab one afternoon after shopping and the driver was raving about the huge community that was being built and the massive mosque they were going to build together for the ONE TRUE GOD
cantuc: Go to Brian O’Shea recruiter for trades.
306 242 7540
http://www.members.shaw.ca/mobo17
… or, try contacting Tristar Oil and Gas or Crescent Point. They are big into the Bakken field.
Cosmos: What are you on?
If Winnipeg was the asshole of Western Canada, Regina would be 571km up that asshole, and Saskatoon 829km.
Cosmos, There are fanatics in every part of society. (We are the roughriders, after all!)
I work with a lovely person, devout Muslim, who I would trust with my life.
Heavy Equipment Operators? Hurting like crazy for them….a lot of projects can’t proceed because there aren’t any. I saw an ad for the city for a bucket truck operator, it was 24 or 25 an hour. Extrapolate from there for private sector.
cjunk, who took that photo? It’s a view of my city I’ve never seen and I like it. It appears to be from the tower at 5 Corners.
cosmos: Time to go back on your meds, bud?
Observant: I had fewer than six mosquito bites last year, without using repellant. We’ve had some bad years in the past 14 that I’ve been here, but nothing like Winnipeg (where I grew up).
cosmos would seem to be either employed by one of our beloved HRCs, or working on his resume before applying to one.
Say hi to Lucy for us, eh?
djb: I believe it’s from the Saskatoon Shines promo.
Been There:
Yours is exactly the crybaby attitude Sask. does not want. Please apply for jobs elsewhere!
Paul
Thanks for the link. While it was directed to cantuc, I took the liberty of checking out the site and e-mailing Mr. O Shea.
I run an exterior finishing business with my sons here in Calgary and we’ve been contemplating a move to Saskatoon.
IMO Saskatoon is going to bust out like Calgary did fifteen years ago and we look forward to catching the wave.
Syncro
Great photo of Saskatoon! It had me pause for a moment asking, “which European city is this?” before I read the rest of the posting.
Sask’s main cities, Saskatoon, Regina and Moose Jaw, desperately need a name change. There are plenty of beautiful and meaningful names to choose from out there that are relevant and even native.
Thanks , Paul, I’m working steady, but if I can find something there long term and more than I’m making now , which is pretty good ,I know where to look. Start a new contract Monday in Maple Creek ,45 or so new lots going in . Not bad for a small town.
And that wonderful pink glow you see in the western sky… That’s ALBERTA.
Way to go Saskatchewan please keep sending your socialists to Toronto.
” and the incredible glut of homes for sale has caused a temporary 27% drop in house prices”
Sure, I believe its temporary! Lets all go there and become house flippers!
I remember hearing a hockey analyst, maybe Barry Melrose, say that Saskatoon was a place where you could “watch your dog run away for three days.” He could have been talking about Calgary, I don’t really remember.
Actually Tim, a lot of people made a fortune here through 2005 to 2007 doing just that. Housing in Sask is still well below the national average, as wages keep climbing though, so will home prices. The only reason for the glut is that thousands of seniors and people looking to move to lovely rural Sask settings now are getting prices they like, so they’ve put their homes on the market. There is a huge internal migration, as well as those moving to warmer climates to retire and are cashing out. Keep in mind that the 27% reduction follows a 2 year 70 to 80% increase … so it’s just correction. Saskatchewan’s economy will expand by 3.9% this year … how’s that compare to Vermont?
Paul is absolutely right – my 1100 Sq foot 1960’s bungalow was worth abut $310,000 about 10 months ago and now has dropped to $275,000, but you know – that is way more thn the $68,000 I purchased it for 15 years ago – so I’m still ahead.
Saskatchewan has always been a great place to live, but thanks to the MSM it (along with anything that is not found between Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa) is portrayed as the outback full of knuckle dragging individuals who can barely string two words together. Yet I think Regina has one of the old symphonies in the country, Calgary has an opera company which is great and season tickets can be bought for under $200. The different we accept anyone who wants a better life for their families and are willing to work to do it.
Great picture. Never would of believed that it could be in Saskatchewan. I do believe this is worth the visit and it is good to live west of Ontario. Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, NWT and Yukon have got a lot to offer working people.
“a temporary 27% drop in house prices”… that’s funny.
Let’s see how it does on $60 oil.
You people out west seem to think you’ve actually worked for your money, when in fact you are just getting a few bucks from the Americans who take it out of the ground.
…maybe if they’ll drop PST it would be even more attractive. But seriously Alberta and Saskatchewan should merge.
AlSask or SaskAl or Alberchewan?
Good for Saskatchewan! Out here on the east coast they have cut our rations again to one fish head and two pieces of birch bark….no place a self respecting Mohammedan would want to live!
Ontario should be doing wonders with two terms of majority Liberal governance under the great fibberjib, McGuinty. S’cuse me while I remove tongue from cheek….
Happy to see such a radical change after tossing the socialists into the dung heap where they belong. I hope Saskatchewan and Alberta grow from strength to strength, helping to move the country away from archaic and destructive Quebec/Ottawa/Toronto socialism.
Being from Toronto, the observed success of prairie Conservative governments will, with any luck, be the death of socialism in Ontario in the next election and perhaps in Canada.
Saskatoon – city of the future!
Sask, yes ! Great people. Just stopped and visited one I know. Perry in Broadview SK. Try his Sweet Dreams Motel. Great little place ! He is from Iran.
Been there and done that ….. thanks.
There’s a lot more going on in the world than a mini economic boom and the long overdue windfall that the Gap is experiencing.
Cheers to my friends in Flatland … and may all you enjoy your blessings.
Seriously……. Make it last.
Irwin Daisy: “I hope Saskatchewan and Alberta grow from strength to strength, helping to move the country away from archaic and destructive Quebec/Ottawa/Toronto socialism.”
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Just watch us!
Observant, Saskatchewan Aboriginal people have been migrating to the cities for decades. There is nothing new about that. What is new (well, to some folks in Ontario, I guess) is actual reserve lands situated in cities. This took place in the 1970 and 1980s as a result of successful land claims research and negotiations there were going on at the time. As a result of that, most of Saskatchewan’s cities now have sections in industrial and business parks that are actually reserve land that are basically indistinguishable from the neighbouring areas. These are thriving areas owned by various Indian bands that have agreements with the cities in which they are located for basic services such as sewer, electricity, street maintenance, etc.
If you’re the gambling type, next time you’re in Saskatchewan you might want to visit one of the several big casinos spread throughout the province. If you do, you will be happy to know you are visiting Indian country while you are pissing away your money. If you are the golfing type, next time you are in Saskatoon, take a little trip out south of town to the Whitecap Reserve and partake of a round of golf and other amenities the Dakota people have to offer. I’m sure you’ll be well treated. If you’ve driving through from Regina to Saskatoon, don’t forget to fill up at the Shell station, just south of the City. It’s owned and operated by Indians and is on Indian land.
When you return to Ontario, or wherever you’re from, you can tell the folks who hold all those negative stereotypes to shove it up their asses.
A lot us Albertans used to view Saskatchewan as being burdened with a dour, unimaginative, and anti-business government whose chief function was to drive people away.
With the tsunami of energy company capital spending now leaving Alberta for Sask. (and B.C.) its hard not to wonder whether the roles have reversed.
Brad Wall for Premier of Alberta.
Hey “Been There”
If a city is the asshole of anything that would be Toronto, with the CN Tower, the rectal thermometer.
This whole province is bucking the trends right now, and still posting alot of growth.
Check out the oil patch in the SE.- Booming.
Saskatoon – Booming.
Regina – Booming.
All over this province is doing quite well.
The Western Boom is not reported by the Liberal media in Canada as it would encourage government dependent people to move West, get a job, and no longer be governement, read Liberal, dependant.
Lloyd Fister: Time for an education Lloyd.
The Sask economy is booming from a lot more than expensive oil. Keep in mind, that $50 dollar oil made Alberta rich. Sask. is resource rich … in fact, it’s a resource glut. POT, on the TSX, was the biggest stock until it got hit … but it got hit only because it was one of the places for funds to go to cover their asses and margins … otherwise, POT, is predicting ever growing revenues.
As to who is drilling for oil … it’s a Canadian show bud … and guess who is drilling for USA oil … lots of Calgary based firms like Precision. The USA is our playground, not the other way around … as our companies offer advanced techniques that pass strict American regs … sorry to dissapoint you.
One other little factoid … most of the mining companies on earth hail from Canada … so on resources, we win all the way around. Saskatchewan is predicted to grow 3.9% in a recession. Imagine what will happen when Amerika gets its economy together, and once again craves our stuff. She’s got the addiction … we’ve got the dope.
I recall being in SK a few times, both in Regina and Saskatoon, over the past five years overseeing installations and maintenance in retail electronics for big box retailers.
What always blew me away, other than the giant metal stubblejumper in Regina (isn’t that kinda like making a statue of Hitler in Israel?) was the pace of expansion in both cities – Saskatoon in particular.
Being originally from Calgary, it was exciting to see SK finally come of age and shake off their communist past. Of course it’s equally sad to see AB and SK swapping places. Can’t be both be getting prosperous at the same time for a change?
saskabush has enough people for a city????
who’da thunked!!!:-)))))
great picture BTW
Nice to see this come about at last. Its an exciting time no doubt. You can all pat yourselves on the back for getting rid of the Socialists that held you back. I think your even going to surpass Albertas growth this year. That tax cut aint gonna hurt either. To bad we have the so called leadership here, bent on overspending to the hilt.
You can bet that when things are slowing down here in Alberta, a lot of folks will come back
home to Saskatchewan. That will ease a lot of both our problems housing wise. I pray it continues.(O:}
“giant metal stubblejumper in Regina”
????
What are you talking about?
Alberta and Saskatchewan use to be the territory of Buffalo. Buffalo sounds like a good name for a country, don’t you think?
We can’t discuss Saskatchewan without at least mentioning Prince Albert: A beautiful little city which I believe is just on the verge of reversing a trend of stagnation which included the pulp mill closure and some short-sighted rail line abandonment a decade or two ago. It’s a city which will finally be coming into its own, and it will have to start with a new second bridge crossing the North Sask. I predict good things for the future of the quaint ‘gateway to the north’.
Oh, and for folks whose only image of our province is that of the background scenes from “Corner Gas”: I recently hiked the Spruce River Highlands trail in the P.A. National Park with an out-of-prov visitor. He was only half-joking when, huffing and puffing, he complained, “I thought Saskatchewan was supposed to be tabletop-flat!”
People forget that there’s a whole world (well, two-thirds of the province and beyond) north of Saskatoon.