Government of Saskatchewan ministries, Crown corporations and organizations are implementing contingency plans to minimize the impacts of postal service disruption.

Les ministères, sociétés d’État et organismes du gouvernement de la Saskatchewan mettent en œuvre des plans d’urgence visant à réduire les répercussions de l’interruption du service des postes.

Google Translate Disclaimer

A number of pages on the Government of Saskatchewan's website have been professionally translated in French. These translations are identified by a yellow box in the right or left rail that resembles the link below. The home page for French-language content on this site can be found at:

Renseignements en Français

Where an official translation is not available, Google™ Translate can be used. Google™ Translate is a free online language translation service that can translate text and web pages into different languages. Translations are made available to increase access to Government of Saskatchewan content for populations whose first language is not English.

Software-based translations do not approach the fluency of a native speaker or possess the skill of a professional translator. The translation should not be considered exact, and may include incorrect or offensive language. The Government of Saskatchewan does not warrant the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information translated by this system. Some files or items cannot be translated, including graphs, photos and other file formats such as portable document formats (PDFs).

Any person or entities that rely on information obtained from the system does so at his or her own risk. Government of Saskatchewan is not responsible for any damage or issues that may possibly result from using translated website content. If you have any questions about Google™ Translate, please visit: Google™ Translate FAQs.

Saskatchewan Crown Corporations Use Trade Agreements to Improve Procurement

Released on September 17, 2015

Effective September 1, Saskatchewan Crown corporations are taking advantage of exemptions in the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) to improve procurement opportunities for businesses in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, the provinces under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA).

Some Crowns are exempt from AIT provisions that otherwise require procurements to be open to businesses in all Canadian provinces and territories.

The exempt Crowns include:
  • SaskEnergy Incorporated;
  • Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation;
  • Saskatchewan Government Insurance; 
  • Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation;
  • Saskatchewan Power Corporation;
  • Saskatchewan Telecommunications; and 
  • Saskatchewan Transportation Company.
These seven Crowns, which continue to be subject to the NWPTA, will primarily source from NWPTA provinces and from the rest of Canada and globally as warranted.

This new approach fulfills a commitment made in the Priority Saskatchewan Procurement Transformation Action Plan, which was announced in March 2015.

“We are committed to ensuring our Crown corporations comply with trade agreements and recognize there is room within those agreements for Crowns to source regional solutions,” SaskBuilds Minister Gordon Wyant said.  “Our government is very pleased to be moving forward with implementing the Procurement Transformation action plan and continuing to identify opportunities to improve procurement practices that create a level playing field for Saskatchewan businesses.”

“This is an important step forward,” Saskatchewan Construction Association President Mark Cooper said.  “The Saskatchewan Construction Association applauds the provincial leadership in tackling procurement transformation to ensure Saskatchewan businesses are treated fairly.”

“Our members strongly support the provincial government’s commitment to improve procurement and see this fix as an important step that will help ensure Saskatchewan businesses are treated fairly,” North Saskatoon Business Association Executive Director Keith Moen said.  “The province continues to demonstrate its willingness to listen and its commitment to addressing challenges facing Saskatchewan businesses.”

"Public procurement is an important tool to drive innovation, stimulate investment, and create jobs," Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Vice President and Saskatchewan Manufacturing Council Executive Director Derek Lothian said.  "This action by the provincial government promotes the principles of best value to both Saskatchewan businesses and taxpayers alike, while respecting the trade obligations that continue to strengthen Saskatchewan's economy."

Priority Saskatchewan was established in June 2014 to identify opportunities to level the procurement playing field for Saskatchewan businesses.  As part of this mandate, Priority Saskatchewan researched international best practices and led a review of government and Crown sector procurement practices.  The team also led a comprehensive consultation with industry and the broader public sector to develop the action plan.  The 13-point action plan is based on industry and stakeholder feedback.

Priority Saskatchewan is consulting with industry and stakeholders on the balance of the action plan’s initiatives.  Implementation of the action plan is a priority for government and is expected to be largely complete in 2016.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Sarah Harrison
SaskBuilds
Regina
Phone: 306-798-1213
Email: sarah.harrison@gov.sk.ca

We need your feedback to improve saskatchewan.ca. Help us improve