December Economic Bulletin
SREDA Economic Bulletin (E-bulletin)
December 2012 Issue
Achieving Growth Together with you, our Investors
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all! Thank you for your financial contribution to the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority.
As a Private Sector Investor, you will help us deliver on high-impact initiatives that contribute to the long-term growth and diversity of our economy. At SREDA we believe in the tremendous economic potential of the Saskatoon Region, and we are committed to translating that potential into reality. Private sector investment is vital to achieve this goal.
SREDA is a nimble, proactive organization that can effectively help build the economy. Your financial support as an investor helps SREDA advance economic development in the Saskatoon Region and provides resources to promote it as the best place to live, play, invest, and prosper.
I would like to share with you some changes that have been made:
The Private Sector Investment levels and benefitshave been adjusted to enhance our benefit offerings and better reflect the increased costs of economic development projects.
There are now four investment levels (Board of Governors, Equity Partners, Corporate Leaders, Investment Partners) instead of six.
The basic membership will now start at $1,000 instead of $500.
SREDA remains committed to working closely with businesses and municipalities to grow the economy of the Saskatoon Region, and we need your support more than ever to do that. We will be mailing out invoices for membership renewal in January 2013; we hope that you will consider continuing, and increasing your investment level with us in the New Year.
What we do for business:
Attraction: We work to attract new business, investment, and people
In early 2013 SREDA will be launching a new web based portal called Saskatoon Living. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Retention: We actively work on issues that affect businesses and regional communities
SREDA has been actively working with stakeholders including the Government of Saskatchewan who are working towards the creation of a new Angel Tax Credit that could potentially benefit start-up companies requiring capital.
Expansion: We co-ordinate resources with other organizations to maximize opportunities
Supply Chain Analysis – Phase I was completed in 2012 and was done in partnership with SpringBoard Innovations Inc. We are excited to move into Phase II in the coming year!
Research: We produce research reports, sector profiles, economic indicators, and specialized research for the Saskatoon business community
New for 2013 will be key research compiled in order to create an Economic Map for the Saskatoon Region.
If you would like to find out more about any of the above projects or work being done by SREDA, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Again, thank you.
Sincerely,
Tim LeClair
President and Chief Executive Officer
Upcoming Events/News
Proggress2Capital Business Planning Competition( http://sreda.com/event/progress2capit…ication-period/)
The Progress2Capital Business Planning Competition (P2C) is a business planning competition aimed at providing support and resources to entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan. The competition is open to anyone looking to start or diversify a business based in the province. P2C focuses on developing the business capacity and expertise for new start-ups thorough a six-month program of mentorship, training, guidance, and networking.
Benefits of competing include the chance to:
Compete for a prize pool of up to $100,000 in cash, professional services and more!
Make valuable connections with business leaders and venture capitalists
Access specialized professional expertise, resources, and workshops
Gain publicity for your business and generate public awareness
Develop a solid business plan
Receive feedback on your ideas from business leaders
Increase your business’ likelihood for success
Educate yourself on tools and techniques to attract investment and capital financing
Participate in growing and diversifying the business community in Saskatchewan
Applications are open January 3, 2013 – February 3, 2013
20th Annual Indspire Awards
Join SREDA at the upcoming Indspire Awards held on Friday, February 15, 2013 at TCU Place, Saskatoon, SK. TheIndspire Awards were established in 1993. Since then, the Awards have represented the highest honour the Indigenous community bestows upon its achievers in all disciplines. The Indspire Awards provide inspirational role models for Indigenous youth and informs Canadians about the rich contributions First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples have made to their communities and Canada.
The Awards gala is a dazzling showcase of top First Nation, Inuit, and Métis entertainers that is subsequently broadcast nationally on Global TV and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.
For ticket package information visit indspire.ca/indspireawards or contact: Ken Aucoin, at [email protected] or 987-0251 for more information.
The Saskatoon Regional Intersectoral Committee – Saskatoon Aboriginal Employment Strategy presents: Employer Engagement Series featuring John Lagimodiere, Publisher and Editor of Eagle Feather News.
John has been delivering Aboriginal awareness seminars for over fifteen years. In this session he will answer all of your questions about First Nation and Métis issues in Saskatchewan.
Workshop dates: January 22, February 12, March 12 and April 16, 2013
Time: 7:30AM-8:45 AM
For more information or to register for any of the above workshop dates, please contact Peggy Vermette at 659-2572.
EMPOWER
Ideas Inc. and BHP Billiton Canada Inc. have joined forces to assist in the development of First Nations and Métis entrepreneurs. The EMPOWER Business Program provides entrepreneurs the focused resources they need to get ideas off the ground, grow their companies, and receive continued support for future success. The program assists entrepreneurs to develop strong companies through training, coaching, and mentorship from idea stage to full financial and operational viability. The first round of applications will be accepted through December and January. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2013. For more information please visitwww.saskatoonideas.com/empower or call Kim at 653-2007.
2013 PotashCorp University Cup
The fastest, toughest, most competitive hockey is coming home to Saskatoon. This four-day tournament consists of Canada’s six top University teams competing for the Cup.
The University cup is awarded annually to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men’s hockey champions. It is Canada’s most prestigious University-level men’s hockey championship
March 14-17, 2013
Credit Union Centre
Tickets available at http://huskies.usask.ca/universitycup/tickets.php
Changes to the Immigration System
To address Canada’s growing demand for skilled tradespersons, a new Federal Skilled Trades Program is beinglaunched on January 2, 2013.
“The new Skilled Trades stream will help address serious labour shortages in some regions of the country and will help support economic growth,” said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. “For too long, Canada’s immigration system has not been open to these in-demand skilled workers. These changes are long overdue and will help us move to a fast and flexible immigration system that works for Canada’s economy.”
In order to manage intake, avoid backlogs, and ensure fast processing time, CIC will accept up to a maximum of 3,000 applications in the first year of the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
CIC is currently working with the provinces, territories, and federal government partners on the final list of skilled trades occupations that are experiencing acute labour shortages and will qualify under the program. This list will be announced prior to the program opening on January 2, 2013.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program will complement other avenues already in place for skilled tradespersons to immigrate to Canada, such as the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programs.
Starting 2013, two significant changes will be made to the International Experience Canada initiative for Irish citizens:
Irish citizens will be able to come to Canada under International Experience Canada for a period of up to 24 months, on a maximum of one occasion.
Irish citizens will no longer be required to demonstrate habitual residency.
Grow Canada Conference 2012
SREDA attended the Grow Canada 2012 Conference at the end of November in Ottawa. Great presentations and conversations occurred over the three days. The strong representation from the Saskatchewan agriculture sector at the conference portrayed a powerhouse of innovation and dedication to feeding the world.
Growing Forward 2 Program
Federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers of Agriculture have reached agreement on the five-year Growing Forward 2 policy framework. The new agreement represents a $3 billion investment, including a 50 percent increase in governments’ cost-shared investments in innovation, competitiveness, and market development. Governments will also continue to deliver an effective suite of business risk management programs.
Three new federal programs will come into effect on April 1, 2013:
The AgriInnovation Program will focus on investments to expand the sector’s capacity to develop and commercialize new products and technologies.
The AgriMarketing Program will help industry improve its capacity to adopt assurance systems, such as food safety and traceability, and to meet consumer and market demands. It will also support industry in maintaining and seizing new markets for their products through branding and promotional activities.
The AgriCompetitiveness Program will target investments to help strengthen the agriculture and agri-food industry’s capacity to adapt and to be profitable in domestic and global markets.
For more information check out the website: http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1294780620963&lang=eng
Global Food Security Institute
The Province of Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan, and Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) formally launched the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) to develop Saskatchewan-led solutions to feed a growing world population on December 10, 2012.
With initial commitments of up to CDN $35-million from PotashCorp and CDN $15-million from the province over the next seven years, the institute will apply Saskatchewan’s unique resources, innovation, and expertise to address the increasing global demand for safe, reliable food.
The institute will be based at the University of Saskatchewan, a world-renowned centre of excellence in agriculture and food-system related research.
Get in touch with us!
[email protected] www.sreda.com
Ph: 306.664.0720 Toll free: 1.800.706.1977
The SREDA Economic Bulletin (E-bulletin) is our newest communication initiative to provide effective and regular information to our membership. The E-bulletin will be a monthly e-mail communication that includes brief updates on SREDA activities and events, economic news, and more.