Saskatchewan Election 2024

• Saskatchewan Retail
• Why Saskatchewan Retail Matters
• Saskatchewan Key Retail Issues
• Get Involved
• Contact Us

Source: Stats Canada

Why Saskatchewan Retail Matters

When your local candidates knock on your door or you meet them at an event, take time to share your experiences and the pride you have for Saskatchewan’s retail industry.

Be sure to also let them know that you are part of Saskatchewan’s largest private employment sector, and that retail also has a significant impact on the success of several other industries, such as neighbouring restaurants, as well as jobs in transportation, construction, property management, information technology and financial services.

Here are some ideas that you can share with your candidates while spreading the word about retail:

• Retail is the largest private sector employer in Saskatchewan, representing 4,929 stores and a workforce of over 76,000, or about 11% of all employed across the province.
• Sales in 2023 reached $14.5 Billion, reflecting a year over year post pandemic recovery.
• Based on other provincial estimates, the Saskatchewan retail sector could add as many as 7,000 jobs over the next five-years under the right conditions.
• Brick and mortar retail remains the foundation of healthy main streets and malls.

Every election provides Saskatchewanians with the ability to shape their government and help to ensure that future members of the Legislative Assembly understand the role merchants play in the people and economy of the province.

Saskatchewan Key Retail Issues

Retail Council of Canada is actively communicating with the two primary political parties about what members have identified as their top priorities and concerns impacting their business. 

We believe its important to actively engage with both parties about the following issues:

Align the definition of a workday with the rest of Canada

The current definition of “day” in The Saskatchewan Employment Act is impractical and problematic, as it defines it as “any period of 24 consecutive hours” for overtime purposes.  Its also inconsistent with any other jurisdiction in Canada, as it considers the “period of 24 consecutive hours” to begin at the start of an employee’s shift and as result of this interpretation, adds unreasonable overtime expenses in common scheduling situations.   

RCC Recommendation:

It is unreasonable for a daily overtime threshold to carry over into a new calendar day, particularly when an employee has received appropriate time off between shifts. This definition should be harmonized with other Canadian jurisdictions.

Invest in Strategies that Address Retail Safety and Crime

Saskatchewan’s 76,000 retail employees are on the front line of endless threats to their safety, as a result of prolific and often violent offenders using a range of dangerous weapons and tactics, as well as complex interactions with those dealing with mental health and drug induced behaviours. 

RCC Recommendation:

The Government of Saskatchewan must be an active and contributing partner in strategies that address the existing gaps between police agencies, prosecution, retailers and other important community stakeholders.

Reduce tax burden on business

Saskatchewan’s 12% corporate tax and soon to be 2% small business tax is far too high.  The harsh reality is that an overwhelming majority of Canadian business owners live in places with lower business taxes than Saskatchewan, and the neighbouring Alberta tax advantage is undisputed.

RCC Recommendation:

Commit to establishing a road map to lowering business taxes in support of Saskatchewan economic growth and opportunity, including managing the province’s dependence on its PST.

Return to a transparent minimum wage model for adjustments

Until recently, Saskatchewan has followed a predictable model for calculating annual minimum wage adjustments based on Saskatchewan’s indexation formula that gives equal weight to changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and average hourly wage for Saskatchewan.

RCC Recommendation:

Returning to the CPI / average wage approach to minimum wage adjustments ensures a transparent, predictable formula and adequate lead time for business owners to budget.

The approach helps ensure politics are removed from the process, and that increases fairly balance the interests of employees and employers. Rapid and unpredictable increases can harm employment opportunities, often for those with the least experience, including youth.

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Support Retail Job Growth

Labour market projections anticipate that under ideal conditions, the workforce needs of Saskatchewan’s retail sector will grow by up to 7,000 workers over the next five years, including needs at all levels of the industry.

RCC Recommendation:

The retail community wants to work more closely with the government to implement strategies that will help support the sector’s labour requirements and growth well into the future.

Get Involved

Contributing to political parties – what you need to know

Contributing to a campaign can be an effective way to build relationships with candidates in your riding.

Make sure that you understand the rules before lending your support to a provincial political party and its campaign.

Specific guidance on contributions in Saskatchewan can be found HERE

Contact Us