In 2024, Saskatchewan saw a decline in immigration, and some of its residents chose to settle in other provinces. However, many newcomers have found a way to make their dreams come true.
In 2018, Gurpreet Singh left India to settle in Ontario. However, it was in Saskatchewan that he found a way to settle in Canada and start his own business.
His choice was motivated by the ease of immigrating there and the cost of living, which was much better there than in Ontario, especially in Toronto
he explains.
In 2023, after years of working for one employer, he and a friend decided to start a trucking business in Regina.
It’s like a dream come true, because when I arrived in Canada, that’s exactly how it happened. I just needed a chance. Canada gave it to me
says the man who is now at the head of a fleet of 12 trucks.
He is aware that Saskatchewan played an important role in his success.
I owe everything to Saskatchewan
A province in difficulty
Gurpreet Singh’s story bucks the trends. According to a poll by Pollara, commissioned by CBC48% of newcomers to Saskatchewan say they are inclined or very inclined to leave the province. This is the highest proportion of all provinces.
One of the main reasons respondents say they would leave the province are job prospects (40%), quality of life (38%) and weather conditions (37%).
Methodology:
Pollara Strategic Insights conducted an online survey on behalf of CBC between the 1is November and November 18, 2024. This survey was conducted among 1,507 adults who arrived in Canada between 2014 and 2024 and were born outside the country. For illustrative purposes only, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
Dreaming of entrepreneurship
Gurpreet Singh is not the only one to have settled in Saskatchewan. In Saskatoon, a brand new car wash recently opened its doors.
Asutosh Patel’s business project began in 2020. For years, he and his cousin navigated bureaucratic mazes to finally open their business.
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His car wash has been open for three weeks and is meeting the goals Asutosh Patel set for himself.
-Photo : - / CBC
It’s a dream come true
assure Ashuto Patel.
He arrived in Canada in 2019 and started as a convenience store clerk, then worked his way up to gain experience in business management.
Today, he is proud to be able to give back to the community by employing Saskatchewan people.
Continuing a tradition
Robel Fessehaye Firay is of Eritrean origin. He immigrated to Canada from a refugee camp in Sudan 15 years ago, this May.
In his country, we are tailors from father to son. When he arrived in Saskatoon, he was able to work as a tailor and as a janitor. After a few years, the owner of the sewing workshop where he worked offered to buy her business.
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One thing led to another, Robel Fessehaye Firay continued the family tradition on another continent by being at the head of several sewing workshops.
Photo : - / CBC
Today, the man who left a refugee camp with only his name has become the owner of three sewing workshops in Saskatoon.
The government brought me here. Saskatchewan welcomed me. I serve [à mon tour] Saskatoon. This is why I won’t move from here
says the tailor.
With information from Aishwarya Dudha
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