Saskatchewan Reboots Its Foreign Worker Program: What You Need to Know
Saskatchewan has revamped its foreign worker nominee program to help bring in skilled workers for key jobs. This comes after the Canadian federal government cut the province’s immigrant allocation for 2025 to just 3,625 spots—the lowest since 2009. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and why it matters.
What’s the Program About?
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) helps foreign workers become permanent residents in Canada. It’s a way for the province to pick people who can fill jobs that are hard to staff locally. After a pause earlier this year, the program is back with a new focus.
Why the Change?
The federal government slashed Saskatchewan’s nominee spots by 50%, which disappointed the province. On top of that, Ottawa now says 75% of the nominees must already be living in Canada as temporary residents. So, Saskatchewan had to rethink how to use its limited spots wisely.
The province decided to prioritize workers in three big areas:
- Health care: Think doctors, nurses, and support staff.
- Agriculture: Farm workers and food production folks.
- Skilled trades: People like electricians, plumbers, and carpenters.
These jobs are super important for keeping the province running and growing its economy.
What’s New This Time?
Before, the program had categories for things like entrepreneurs and international graduates, but those are closed now. Saskatchewan is also returning applications for two sub-categories: Saskatchewan Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand. Instead, it’s focusing on workers who are already here and can start contributing right away.
Why It Matters
Saskatchewan’s leaders say this reboot will make the most of the smaller number of spots they’ve been given. “We’re disappointed with the cuts, but these changes will help us build our economy,” said Jim Reiter, the Immigration and Career Training Minister. The goal is to bring in people who can fill gaps in the workforce and stay long-term.
The Bigger Picture
Canada’s immigration plan for 2025-27 is all about “sustainable growth.” The feds are cutting numbers to ease pressure on housing, roads, and services like schools and hospitals. Saskatchewan is adapting to these changes while still trying to meet its own needs.
What’s Next?
The province is betting on this focused approach to keep its economy strong. Whether you’re a worker hoping to stay in Canada or a local wondering who’s building your community, this program reboot is a big deal for Saskatchewan.
