Saskatoon Real Estate

Thanks to the reintroduction of the Saskatchewan Mineral Exploration Tax Credit program we are more attractive than ever! A news release from November 13, 2008 has announced that the program is estimated to cost $2 Million annually but the expectation for mineral exploration spending in Saskatchewan should top $360 Million in 2008. This is a great way to keep that momentum going in the global economic crisis.

What is it? The provincial program offers a non-refundable 10% tax credit to Saskatchewan taxpayers who invest in eligible flow-through shares issued by mining or exploration companies after April 1, 2008. This was a election promise of our government and this tax credit reflects our commitment to encouraging investment in exploration, and in long-term, sustainable development of our rich mineral resources.

Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd.

The newest announcement that approximately 100,000 people in Canada will lose their jobs due to the global economic condition is frightening to say the least. The good news for Saskatchewan? In most recent reviews of economic information showed that Saskatchewan workers enjoyed income increases that exceeded the provincial rate of inflation by 4.4%, but despite this growth, our average earnings are still approximately 5% below the national average which makes the province very attractive to do business. Finance Minister Rod Gantefour states that “Economic momentum shows no sign of slowing in Saskatchewan and our government is working to ensure all Saskatchewan people benefit from our growing economy”. With being hailed as the ‘sold province whose economic growth rate in 2008 will exceed that of last year’ the Saskatchewan economy is a bit of a beacon of hope to worried Canadians looking for an economic haven, and maybe a job. This means that in Saskatchewan real estate, despite the over abundance of listings, there may be many people starting to snap them up as they come here looking for work.

According to a National Post article published in late October, even with commodity prices looking dire, TD’s senior economist Derek Burleton figured Saskatchewan has sufficiently diverse resources-from oil and gas to potash and uranium-that will weather the slumpage better than its more narrowly focused Western neighbours. Our more pressing concern may be the tens of thousands of vacant jobs, just waiting to be filled by a wave of economic refugees from Canada’s increasingly depressed regions.

Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Conexus Ltd.

WestJet announced late last week that starting in September of this year they will start to offer direct flightsto Las Vegas from Saskatoon.  Previously the only way to get to Vegas via WestJet was to fly to either Calgary or Edmonton and then catch a connector flight.  This is just one more sign that Saskatoon is making its mark and attracting large companies to bring more services to our city.

Initially WestJet says that the flights will be seasonal and only operating in the fall, winter and early spring.  This tend to be the busiest times for people to head done to Vegasand escape the Canadian winter.  If the service is popular than we could see it potentially running year round.  Recently WestJet also added a direct flight from Saskatoon to Toronto.

Saskatoon is in huge a huge growth phase, which can be shown by the Saskatoon real estate market.  As our city continues to grow more services such as direct flights that once weren’t an option will become readily available.  I know I for one am excited about the addition of flights to our city.

Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd.