SASKATCHEWAN INSTITUTE 2012–17 MAY 2017 Ready, Set, Grow. The interactivity really reinforced the point that ““innovation is not about reinventing, but about the creative process—learning and creativity demand we move beyond thinking to doing.”
Event participant, Indigenous Health Innovations The Conference Board of Canada
Message From the President and CEO
Saskatchewan has a storied history as a leader in Canada. Some stories are well-known: the first province to introduce comprehensive medical insurance and the first to establish an arts board in North America. The province has also led on innovation fronts. Examples include being home to Canada’s only synchrotron, operating the first automated teller machine in the nation, and building the world’s first heavy oil upgrader.
When leaders from the province and The Conference Board of Canada envisioned the Saskatchewan Institute in 2012, the province was Canada’s economic leader, but one facing challenges and opportunities. For the next five years, the Saskatchewan Institute (SKI) brought the Conference Board’s full program of research and evidence to bear on key questions affecting future growth. A balance of pragmatic and timely economic, social, and human resource insights was collaboratively developed and published.
We combined our quantitative economic analysis tools and skills with our organizational performance and public policy expertise. Additionally, we utilized the Conference Board’s unparalleled capacity to bring together leaders from all sectors of Saskatchewan, Canada, and from around the world. Our meetings, conferences, and presentations produced engaging dialogue on the choices and decisions facing Saskatchewan’s future.
Although the work of SKI is now complete, there exists a wealth of information that will serve as a synthesis of five years of insights. In addition, the Conference Board remains watchful of Saskatchewan as an incubator of innovative policy that often lays the groundwork for broader national discussion. We are proud of the work achieved through our partnerships in Saskatchewan and will continue to offer insights, understanding, and impact for the future.
Daniel Muzyka President and CEO The Conference Board of Canada
1 Saskatchewan Institute 2012–17
Goals of the Saskatchewan Institute The Saskatchewan Institute (SKI) brought together the Conference Board’s full range of expertise in economic analysis and forecasting, public policy research, and organizational performance.
During its five-year mandate, SKI published research and informed decision-making on three foundational themes:
• development of people • management of growth • assessment of key sectors
Simply stated, the Conference Board’s goal for SKI was to contribute to a shared vision of sustainable prosperity. To accomplish that goal, the Institute’s initial consultative group prioritized cross-cutting themes for further study in the following areas:
• workforce of the future and Indigenous engagement • education, health care, and immigration • infrastructure, cities, and housing • natural resources and water management • Saskatchewan’s economic outlook
2 The Conference Board of Canada
Based on this mandate (see Exhibit 1), SKI undertook a series of events, activities, and research.
Exhibit 1 Saskatchewan Institute Cross-Cutting Themes
Workforce of the future and Aboriginal engagement
Education, health care, and immigration
Themes Infrastructure, cities, and housing ting
Natural resources and water management oss-Cut Cr Saskatchewan economic outlook
Developing Managing Assessing people growth key sectors
Foundational Themes
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
3 Saskatchewan Institute 2012–17
Highly recommended! Discusses the very important ““issue of Aboriginal-business partnerships in Canada.”
Online research report comment
4 The Conference Board of Canada
Our Insights, Understanding, Impact
Research People strategies were a consistent area of valued-added research. There remains no single strategy or action that will solve Saskatchewan’s human resource challenge. The following areas were explored during the five-year mandate: the full engagement of Indigenous people; active and employment-focused immigration policies; attracting and retaining more international students as prime sources of new talent; growing public and private investment in advanced and applied education; encouraging older workers to remain employed longer; and rethinking business operations by concentrating on core functions within the province.
Saskatchewan’s economic growth remains driven by large-scale resource projects with long-term investment horizons that depend on funding sources such as public equity and bond markets and foreign direct investment. Financiers require sensible and stable policies on royalties, taxes, and foreign direct investment to ensure a reasonable rate of return. Strategic choices continue to be required as the need for capital continues to transform and expand.
Collaboration Public and collaborative policy was highlighted as critical to a strong future for the province. As was a focus on innovation—one that ensures business and government are constantly adapting their policies, systems, and practices toward supportive environments for collaboration. In addition, a sustaining and welcoming environment for private investment is required, led by tax reform and smarter regulation, which would help ensure adequate access to private investment capital.
Acceleration of efforts to invest and build public infrastructure must keep pace with the growth in population to sustain and maintain societal expectations.
5 Saskatchewan Institute 2012–17
Top Publications
Research With Saskatchewan Content/Issue
Media Coverage Downloads 1 1 Fuel for Thought: The Economic Fuel for Thought: The Economic Benefits Benefits of Oil Sands Investment for of Oil Sands Investment for Canada’s Canada’s Regions (October 2012) Regions (October 2012)
2 2 Mapping the Long-Term Options for Understanding the Value and Canada’s North: Telecommunications Opportunities of Engaging Métis, Inuit, and Broadband Connectivity and First Nations Workers (July 2012) (August 2013) 3 3 Canada as a Global Leader: The Future of Mining in Canada’s North Delivering Value Through Public-Private (January 2013) Partnerships at Home and Abroad (August 2013) 4 Canada as a Global Leader: Delivering Value Through Public-Private Partnerships at Home and Abroad (August 2013) 5 Framing Sustainable Options for Housing in Canada’s North (December 2012)
6 The Conference Board of Canada
Primary Research Produced Through SKI
Media Coverage Downloads 1 1 Understanding the Value and Understanding the Value and Opportunities of Engaging Métis, Inuit, Opportunities of Engaging Métis, Inuit, and First Nations Workers (July 2012) and First Nations Workers (July 2012)
2 2 Green Machine: Financing Growth in the Realizing the Potential: Priority New Saskatchewan (June 2013) Investments in Saskatchewan’s First Nations and Métis People (September 2013) 3 3 Healthy Foundations: Nursing’s Role in The Influence of Immigrants on Trade Building Strong Aboriginal Communities Diversification in Saskatchewan (March 2015) (April 2013)
4 Green Machine: Financing Growth in the New Saskatchewan (June 2013)
5 Addressing Chronic Diseases: The Regina Food Bank (August 2012)
7 Saskatchewan Institute 2012–17
Highlights by the Numbers
Produced Connected with 35 research over 1,100 event reports and briefings participants
Nearly 12,000 SKI leadership downloads of and researchers Saskatchewan or delivered over 75 SKI research to date 75 presentations at conferences, meetings, and events Engaged 22 separate 22 organizations as investor partners 36 articles published in SaskBusiness Magazine Hosted 9 conferences and events
8 The Conference Board of Canada
Produced material that seriously focused on the education gap ““[in Saskatchewan] and what effect bridging it will have on both the economic and social aspects of both Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis, and for Saskatchewan as well.”
Raj Maharaj, commenting on research
9 Saskatchewan Institute 2012–17
The report takes a fresh look … by considering the ““broad role of corporations in creating social benefits, including long-term economic health and well-being. The final chapter carves out a role for policy in coordinating CRS to achieve heightened social impact.”
Online research report comment
10 The Conference Board of Canada
Research 2012–17
The following is a list of research reports produced by SKI. All of these reports continue to be available through The Conference Board of Canada’s website.
Developing People We. Us. Our. • We. Us. Our. A Reconciling Narrative (August 2016) A Reconciling Narrative • Healthy Foundations: Nursing’s Role in Building Strong Aboriginal Communities (March 2015) • Theory, Methods, and Data: A Social Outlook for Saskatchewan (May 2014) • Realizing the Potential: Priority Investments in Saskatchewan’s First Nations and Métis People (September 2013)
REPORT AuGuST 2016 • The Mother Teresa Middle School: Supporting Regina’s Vulnerable Youth (June 2013) • Immigrants and Innovation: How to Measure the Return on Your Investment in Immigrants as Innovators (March 2013) • The Influence of Immigrants on Trade Diversification in Saskatchewan (April 2013) • Framing Sustainable Options for Housing in Canada’s North (December 2012) • Compensation Challenges for Natural Resource Companies (August 2012) • Addressing Chronic Diseases: The Regina Food Bank (August 2012) • Fuelling the Surge: The University of Regina’s Role in Saskatchewan’s Growth (July 2012) • Understanding the Value, Challenges, and Opportunities of Engaging Métis, Inuit, and First Nations Workers (July 2012)
11 Saskatchewan Institute 2012–17
Saskatchewan Institute Managing Growth Developing • Ready, Set, Grow: Enablers to Growth Framework (May 2017) Partnership Capacity. The Rewards of Effective Business-Aboriginal Partnerships • Infrastructure in Saskatchewan: Assessing the Benefits (April 2017) • Business Matters: CRS and the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth (May 2016) • Developing Partnership Capacity: The Rewards of Effective Business-Aboriginal Partnerships (October 2015) • Innovation in Saskatchewan: The Theory and Evidence (May 2015)
REPORT OCTOBER 2015 • Growing Saskatoon: Saskatoon’s Regional Economic Map (June 2014) • Canada as a Global Leader: Delivering Value Through Public-Private Partnerships at Home and Abroad (August 2013) • 2012 Survey Findings: The State of Firm-Level Innovation in Canada (July 2013) • Green Machine: Financing Growth in the New Saskatchewan (June 2013) • Financing Innovation by Established Businesses in Canada (January 2013) • What Might Canada’s Future Exports Look Like? (November 2012)
Assessing Key Sectors • Closing the Gap: Indigenous Health Innovations (September 2016) • Finding Top Gear: Urban Centres as Engines of Growth (June 2016) • Saskatchewan’s Export Potential: The Impact of Rail Access (June 2015) • Snapshots of Saskatchewan: The SaskBusiness Series (May 2015) • The Role of the Public Sector in Northern Governance (August 2014) • Positioning Saskatchewan’s Credit Unions for Growth (May 2014) • Mapping the Long-Term Options for Canada’s North: Telecommunications and Broadband Connectivity (August 2013) • How Canada Performs 2013: A Report Card on Canada (May 2013) • The Future of Mining in Canada’s North (January 2013) • Fuel for Thought: The Economic Benefits of Oil Sands Investment for Canada’s Regions (September 2012) • Who’s Thinking It Through in Saskatchewan: A Directory of Organizations (January 2013)
12 The Conference Board of Canada
It is great to see some Saskatchewan specific ““research!”
Lorne Deyenberg, commenting on research
13 Saskatchewan Institute 2012–17
SKI Member Organizations 2013–17
The duration of investment for the organizations listed varies between one and five years. They are presented in alphabetical order.
• Brandt Group of Companies • Cameco • City of Regina • City of Saskatoon • Communities of Tomorrow • Co-Operators Life Insurance Company • Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan • Farm Credit Canada • Graham Group of Companies • Harvard Developments • Information Services Corporation of Saskatchewan • Ministry of the Economy, Government of Saskatchewan • Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies • Saskatchewan Polytechnic • Saskatchewan Research Council • Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority • SaskCentral • Synergy Credit Union • University of Regina • University of Saskatchewan • Workers’ Compensation Board of Saskatchewan • WorleyParsons
14 The Conference Board of Canada
Contact Information For more information on research, events, and activities in Saskatchewan, contact our Western Canadian office. The Conference Board of Canada 407-2nd Street SW, Suite 1020 Calgary AB T2P 2Y3 Canada Tel. 1-403-221-3040
Ottawa The Conference Board of Canada 255 Smyth Road Ottawa ON K1H 8M7 Canada Tel. 1-866-711-2262
E-mail: [email protected] www.conferenceboard.ca
15 Saskatchewan Institute 2012–17
The discussion related to revising a vision and strategy ““for the province is critical. Vision and strategy drive action.”
Glenda, event participant
16 About The Conference Board of Canada We are: • The foremost independent, not-for-profit, applied research organization in Canada. • Objective and non-partisan. We do not lobby for specific interests. • Funded exclusively through the fees we charge for services to the private and public sectors. • Experts in running conferences but also at conducting, publishing, and disseminating research; helping people network; developing individual leadership skills; and building organizational capacity. • Specialists in economic trends, as well as organizational performance and public policy issues. • Not a government department or agency, although we are often hired to provide services for all levels of government. • Independent from, but affiliated with, The Conference Board, Inc. of New York, which serves nearly 2,000 companies in 60 nations and has offices in Brussels and Hong Kong. Insights. Understanding. Impact.
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