SASKATOON — Saskatchewan's technology sector is poised to surpass the province's ambitious 2030 Growth Plan goals, according to a recent report commissioned by Innovation Saskatchewan. The report, authored by Derek Murray Consulting and Associates, highlights a remarkable 108.6 percent increase in employment within the sector since 2019.
Saskatchewan's tech sector has significantly outpaced other Prairie provinces, with a 21.3 per cent higher employment growth rate than Alberta and 29.65 per cent more than Manitoba over the same period.
The tech sector contributed 10 per cent of all job creation in the province from 2016 to 2023, adding an average of 715 new jobs per year and exceeding the projected target of 7,893 new jobs by 2030.
Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison lauded the growth, attributing it to a collaborative effort between the government and the tech industry to foster innovation.
"The report underscores how our supportive tech ecosystem drives technological advancements, generates substantial revenue, and creates numerous job opportunities. We remain committed to supporting this sector as we approach our 2030 growth target and further bolster our economy," said Harrison.
Since 2017, initiatives like the Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive, the Agtech Growth Fund, and projects like Co.Labs and Cultivator's AGTECH ACCELERATOR program have been instrumental in reducing technical risks and encouraging local investments.
Aaron Genest, President of the SaskTech industry association, attributed the sector's resilience and growth to ongoing investments in education, applied research, and startup support.
"Even in challenging times for other regions, Saskatchewan's tech sector continues to thrive thanks to strategic government and post-secondary investments," Genest said.
The report also highlights the sector's expansion. Fourteen new companies, including five with over 100 employees, have been established since 2019, bringing the total number of tech companies to 347 in 2023.
This growth reflects a robust ecosystem where smaller companies are scaling up and increasing their workforce.
A notable example is Siemens Electronic Design Automation, formerly Solido Design Automation. Founded as a small startup in 2005, Siemens EDA has multiplied since its acquisition by Siemens in 2017. The company has expanded its facilities at the Saskatoon Research and Tech Park, citing the supportive environment as key to its success.
"Siemens EDA has become a global Centre of Excellence for electronic chip design software, thanks to local investment and collaboration with universities and research parks," said Siemens EDA Vice President and General Manager Amit Gupta.
Overall, Saskatchewan's tech sector is thriving, showing significant growth and potential as it moves towards and beyond the 2030 targets.
