In a recent
government news release, the Sask. Party claimed that 90% of recent procurement was awarded to Saskatchewan companies. But documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Saskatchewan NDP paint a very different picture.
SaskBuilds reported awarding 666 contracts in the 2024–25 fiscal year. A closer examination shows the number of businesses classified as “Saskatchewan-based” was significantly inflated by misclassifying out-of-province and even international companies as local.
According to the Opposition’s analysis, only 51% of contracts actually went to companies headquartered in Saskatchewan, and only 58% of total contract dollars flowed to those Saskatchewan-based firms.
Among the companies the Sask. Party labelled as “Saskatchewan-based” are Crumb Rubber Manufacturing, based in Newport Beach, California, and Mitsubishi of Canada, headquartered in Ontario.
“You can’t call a company ‘Saskatchewan-based’ just because they have a local mailing address,” said Aleana Young, Shadow Minister for Jobs and the Economy. “This is a betrayal of the hardworking local businesses that support our communities and create good jobs right here at home.”
“Donald Trump and the Chinese government are trying to crush our economy with tariffs. If there was ever a time to stand up for Saskatchewan workers and small businesses, it’s now.”
Earlier this month, the Sask. Party quietly walked back their supposed Sask. First procurement policy—a move that, combined with today’s revelations, confirms that they were never committed to supporting local businesses.
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