Saskatoon Shines! That’s the buzzword in this vibrant community. This is a university town with a laid-back charm that enhances its cosmopolitan hustle and bustle. Sip cappuccino in a café in the trendy Broadway District, check out the latest technology and research advancements, watch Shakespeare under a festival tent or explore 6,000 years of First Nations culture...

Economy

Photo: POS Pilot Plant

• Saskatoon’s economy is the hottest in Canada, according to the conference board’s Metropolitan Outlook (Autumn 2005).
• A global competitor of significance, according to a comprehensive analysis undertaken by KPMG (2004), Saskatoon ranks #2 in Midwest North America for overall cost competitiveness.
• Home to the world’s largest producers of potash and uranium.
• Saskatoon is one of the top biotechnology centres in the world, attracting over 30% of all biotechnology research spending in Canada.
• Saskatoon’s diversified economy shows particular strength in agricultural biotechnology, manufacturing and machinery, food processing and nutraceuticals, information technology and electronics, mining and mining supply and health science.

Lifestyle & People

Photo: Tourism Saskatoon

• Graced with the beautiful South Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon is an urban oasis with over 4,000 acres of lush parks and trails.
• Average commute in Saskatoon is 15 minutes.
• Saskatoon has one of the highest quality of life ratings in the country.
• World-wide reputation for safety, affordability and hospitality.
• Saskatoon has more hours of sunshine than most major Canadian cities.
• Air and water quality among the best in the world.
• Rich in community spirit, Saskatoon’s people truly make a difference. Helpful and warm, the friendliness of Saskatoon is well remembered by visitors.

History & Culture

Photo: Gord Taylor

• Saskatoon was officially founded in 1883 as a Temperance Colony with settlers from the east searching for Utopia. We believe they found it!
• Saskatoon is one of the New World’s oldest settlements, with artifacts dating back 6,000 years found just north of the city.
• The Northwest Rebellion of 1885, led by Louis Riel, occurred 90 km north of Saskatoon.
• Saskatoon was called "the Paris of the Prairies" by Gordon Downey of The Tragically Hip, for its proliferation of musicians, artists, writers and poets who call Saskatoon home.
• Designated the 2006 Cultural Capital of Canada by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
• Saskatoon will host Canada’s largest annual celebration of music – the 2007 Juno Awards.

Innovation

Photo: Light Source Inc.

• The University of Saskatchewan is the only university in Canada to house all five health science colleges and a major teaching hospital on the same campus.
• Home to one of the world’s most advanced Synchrotrons. This $174 million research facility could lead to advances in every area of science and industry.
• Saskatoon’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) is a global leader in researching the diseases afflicting animal and human health.
• Our University’s research park, Innovation Place, is one of the most successful and rapidly growing technology parks in North America.