Affordable Living in Scenic Saskatchewan!

Many foreign nationals who have applied for Canadian immigration and have been issued a Permanent Resident Visa for Canada have discovered a “secret” that may not be widely known (but we’ll share it with you!) – Saskatchewan immigration offers an affordable high standard of living for new arrivals in Canada!

Saskatchewan is a province located in the southwestern section of Canada, west of the province of Manitoba; east of the province of Alberta; south of Northwest Territories; and north of Montana and North Dakota in the United States.

This prairie province is unique in several ways. Aside from being one of only two landlocked provinces in Canada (the other being the neighboring province of Alberta to the west), Saskatchewan also receives the most sunshine of any province in Canada! Another positive aspect of this province is, as the Saskatchewan provincial government reports, it has “the fastest growing population in the country” and “all this growth has created jobs that need to be filled.” This sunny outlook for Saskatchewan is further enhanced by the fact that this province has one of the lowest costs of living in Canada! With all that this province has going for it, it is not surprising that Saskatchewan immigration has become so popular for those who have received a Canadian Visa!

Although Saskatchewan is found on the Canadian prairie, it actually has an interesting, diverse geography, ranging from vast green grasslands and farmland to spectacular sand dunes to pristine pine forests to several roaring rivers and tranquil lakes (such as Reindeer Lake, Wollaston Lake, and Lake Athabasca). If you like the outdoors, you’ll have plenty of options in Saskatchewan after being approved for Canadian immigration.

The population of Saskatchewan is around 1,163,925 (2017). The two largest cities in the province are Saskatoon, with a population (2017) of 323,809 and the provincial capital city of Regina (located further to the south) which has a population (2017) of 253,220. Other “major” cities in Saskatchewan include Prince Albert, which has a population of approximately 35,129; Moose Jaw, with around 33,272 residents; Yorkton (population 15,669); Swift Current (population 15,503); and North Battleford (population 13,888).

Thus, for those thinking about Saskatchewan immigration after being issued a Permanent Resident Visa for Canada, there are several choices for where to live - whether in a medium-sized city like Saskatoon or Regina; a small town like Prince Albert, Moose Jaw and Yorkton; out on the prairie; deep in the forest; or in a cabin next to a picturesque lake.

Saskatchewan also has much to see and do for immigrants who have been granted a Canadian Visa. This includes outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, bicycling, boating, horseback riding, fishing, water skiing and riding snow mobiles. Saskatchewan has several beautiful parks you can visit, including Prince Albert National Park; Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park; Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park; Wanuskewin Heritage Park; Grasslands National Park; and Wascana Centre Park in Regina. If you are interested in dinosaurs, the T. Rex Discovery Centre in the town of Eastend is a must-see!

The city of Saskatoon has a number of festivals during the summer, including a jazz festival, folk fest, children’s festival, “Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan” and a yearly fair. Rock concerts (and other musical events) are held at the Credit Union Centre and you can watch a play at the Persephone Theater. If you enjoy shopping, be sure to check out the Midtown Plaza in downtown Saskatoon and the Farmer’s Market held on Saturdays. The Mendel Art Gallery has some nice exhibits and you can also learn about the history of the area at the Western Development Museum.

The Meewasin Valley Trail is a pleasant place to go for a walk, to jog, to ride a bicycle or to have a peaceful picnic. Be sure to see the beautiful and historic “Bez” (Bessborough Hotel) and if you like winter ice skating, the Meewasin Skating Rink is close to the “Bez.” Sports fans that make Saskatoon home have many events to choose from. Ice hockey fans can cheer on the WHL Saskatoon Blades as they hit the ice; football fans can have fun at a Huskies game at the university; Marquis Downs offers horse racing; you can play or watch soccer at the Soccer Centre; there is even a drag racing track in Saskatoon. Of course, when it comes to dining and drinks, Saskatoon has some excellent eateries and wonderful “watering holes” (e.g., pubs).

Regina’s summer folk festival, its famous “Buffalo Days” fair in early August and the “Connect” electronic music festival draw visitors from across the province. Next to Wascana Lake is the beautiful Wascana Park where you can relax on one of Saskatchewan’s many sunny days. Victoria Park is also a great place to unwind. Furthermore, you can listen to a concert by the Regina Symphony Orchestra; gamble and see a show at the Casino Regina and Show Lounge; enjoy a play in-the-round at the Globe Theater; or watch a movie at one of Regina’s large movie theaters.

If you like exploring museums, you may want to see the exhibits at the Mackenzie Art Gallery, Saskatchewan Science Center, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage Center, or the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. Regina also boasts an IMAX theater, located next to the Science Center. Since Regina is the provincial capital, you may want to pay a visit to the impressive Government House or Legislative Building. Sports fans can watch hockey and football games; see the exciting horse races at the West Meadows Raceway; plus golfers can hit the links at any of the several golf courses in the Regina area (or have fun playing mini-golf). To get a “bird’s eye view” perspective of Regina and the surrounding area, hot air balloon rides are available during much of the year (weather permitting).

Another good reason why foreign nationals who have received a Permanent Resident Visa for Canada decide on Saskatchewan immigration is that residents of this scenic province receive free basic healthcare, paid for by the Saskatchewan government!

Those considering Canadian immigration and applying for a Canadian Visa should also be aware that Saskatchewan offers excellent economic opportunities for immigrants. For the past several years, Saskatchewan has enjoyed one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada and this has attracted skilled workers to Saskatchewan from across Canada and around the world. The following business sectors have accounted for most of Saskatchewan’s strong growth in real GDP during recent years: services; petroleum and mining; agriculture, fishing, forestry and hunting; construction; and manufacturing.

Thus, as you carefully plan for Canadian immigration and think about where you might like to live and work after being granted a Permanent Resident Visa for Canada, sunny Saskatchewan should certainly be among the bright options you consider for a high standard of living at a very affordable price!