The province cites more than 16,000 job vacancies posted on SaskJobs and National Job Bank and over 112,000 job openings are forecast over the next five years in Saskatchewan. To help fill the gap of the number of jobs compared to the number of workers, the provincial government has announced expanding the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program. The Existing Work Permit stream now includes 279 additional occupations.

Martensville-Warman MLA Terry Jenson made the announcement on behalf of the province in Saskatoon, explaining that previously, only newcomers in high-skilled occupations and designated trades were eligible for the Existing Work Permit stream. This expansion is for intermediate and lower skilled jobs including farm labourers, truck drivers, retail sales, nurse aides and equipment operators. Newly eligible workers can now pursue permanent residency provided they have worked in Saskatchewan and meet the criteria which includes meeting language requirements and having a permanent, full-time job offer.

Executive Director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan, Danylo Puderak, says many Ukrainians fled to Saskatchewan when the war began on an Emergency Travel visa, but the war continues almost two years later. He believes this expansion will help Ukrainians wanting to apply for permanent residency. “I know that from polls conducted with displaced Ukrainians a high percentage of them are looking to stay. We realize this war is not going to be over any time soon.”

Brennan Mill, a partner at Saskatoon Fire and Flood, a restoration and construction business, says they employ about 20 immigrant workers and he understands there will be more need in the future. “Within the next ten years a large percentage of the construction labour force will be retiring. In order for communities and businesses to continue to grow, the support of immigration into Canada is fundamental for future development.”