Provincial and Federal Incentives

Labour Incentives

The federal and provincial governments offer attractive employment and training subsidies to help recent university graduates and underemployed segments of the population gain work experience.

JobStart/FutureSkills

This Government of Saskatchewan initiative provides funding to Saskatchewan employers to promote training that will lead to employment in new positions that provide prospects for ongoing, full-time employment. Training subsidies are available to a maximum of $5,000 (Cdn) per trainee.

Provincial Training Allowance

This income support program is based on need and is intended to provide a means for the disadvantaged to acquire fundamental employment skills that will help them enter the workforce. It can provide a no-cost means of raising potential employees to the standards required for company specific, work-based training subsidized under the JobStart/FutureSkills program.

Targeted Wage Subsidy Program
Financial assistance is available to enable employers to hire individuals who face barriers to employment by offering temporary wage subsidies for individuals they would not otherwise hire.

Tax Incentives

The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan provide various tax credits and funding to encourage research and development, manufacturing and processing, entrepreneurship, and business expansion.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Matching Investment Initiative (MII)

MII is a way to increase collaborative research activity between the private sector and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. A maximum of matching funding is available for industry R&D contributions to collaborative research projects.

Equity Financing Programs

One of the most important vehicles for industry expansion in Saskatoon is equity financing through the Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation (SOCO) and Investment Saskatchewan Inc. (ISI). Investments range from one million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on a project's strategic importance to our province. SOCO and ISI equity financing can be structured to be as patient as the market demands.

Government of Saskatchewan - Tax Credits

Research and Development (R&D): Non-refundable tax credit valued at 15 per cent of a broad range of R&D expenses. The tax credit may be carried back three years or forward for ten years.
Manufacturing and Processing (M&P): Refundable income tax credit designed to encourage plant and equipment investment for use in M&P activities in Saskatchewan.

National Research Council - Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)

NRC-IRAP provides financial support for a range of research and development activities that will improve a company's performance and strengthen its competitive position. It offers two types of financial assistance:

Research and Technology Development Activities;
Youth Employment Strategy Programs.

Saskatchewan Entrepreneurial Fund

Small businesses recommended by the Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan are eligible to receive up to $1 million in investment funding from the Saskatchewan Entrepreneurial Fund. The entrepreneurs must be in the start-up and expansion stages of their commercial businesses.

Saskatchewan Market Assessment of Research and Technology (SMART) Program

Saskatchewan Industry and Resources and the National Research Council provide funding to specialists in the emerging field of competitive intelligence to assist with market research and development of business plans. Eligible projects can be covered by up to 75 per cent of the costs, to a maximum of $15,000.

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program

Canadian Controlled Private Corporation: A 35 per cent refundable federal tax credit and 20 per cent on any excess amount, reduced by the amount of any government assistance.
Other Canadian Corporations, Proprietorships, Partnerships and Trusts: A 20 per cent, non-refundable federal tax credit, reduced by the amount of any government assistance.

Download the Saskatchewan Business Incentives guide for more information on incentives and sources of investment capital.