2009 Showcase Province: Saskatchewan

We are pleased to have the province of Saskatchewan featured as this year's "Showcase Province". Saskatchewan continues to be a hot bed of innovation and economic growth for Canada. The province is leading the country in most economic indicators including GDP, employment, and population growth. Participation by Saskatchewan in this year's event will feature presentations within the conference program as well as a significant presence on the tradeshow floor.

Saskatchewan Fast Facts

• The name Saskatchewan is derived from the Cree word kisiskâciwanisîpiy meaning "swift-flowing river." Saskatchewan became a province of Canada on September 1, 1905. Located between Alberta to the west and Manitoba to the east, its boundaries extend from the US border along the 49th parallel to the border with the Northwest Territories along the 60th parallel.
• Once known as "The World's Bread Basket" because if our wheat, Saskatchewans spirit of innovation has transformed the province from a single crop economy to a powerhouse of thriving economic sectors such as Advanced Technology, Agri-value Produciton and Processing, Manufacturing, Minerals, and Gas, to name a few.
• Provincial Motto MULTIS E GENTIBUS VIRES - Latin for "From Many Peoples Strength." This motto expresses Saskatchewan's multicultural heritage, the combination of First Nations and Métis cultures, and the key role of immigration in the province. The root meaning of the Latin gens (from which gentibus is derived) is "people" in the sense of race or origin. The word vires connotes vigour, energy and mental strength. The Latin rendering was suggested by words of a poem by the Roman poet Catullus.
• Saskatchewan covers 6.5% of Canada, an area of 651,036 square kilometres. Of this, 591,670 square kilometres are land and 59,366 square kilometres are covered by water. The land is divided between the mostly crystalline rocks of the Precambrian shield in the northern third of the province and the sedimentary rocks of the western Canadian sedimentary basin in the south. Mineral resources include world-class deposits of uranium and potash.
• Saskatchewan's exports grew 565 in 2008, which saw the province export over 31 billion dollars worth of goods and services.
• Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) was officially launched on August 21, 1996 with a mandate to increase Saskatchewan's exports to existing markets and to tap into new markets by initiating sales, contracts, and projects for Saskatchewan exporters. Operating as a government/industry partnership, STEP champions the province's export industry and assists provincial businesses in realizing global marketing opportunities while finding custom solutions for Saskatchewan exporters.

As a non-profit, membership based organization, STEP brings these resources together to provide world-class specially tailored services and programs that are of primary value to companies who are exporting outside the borders of Saskatchewan. These services include Trade Development, Market Intelligence, International Finance and Logistics, and International Development Projects