Despite rising interest rates and global trade uncertainty, Saskatchewan appears to be headed into a growth spurt.
That is the assessment of the economists at BMO Bank of Montreal. The unit has updated its year-end forecast for this year and its outlook for 2027.
It projects Saskatchewan will end 2026 in third spot on the provincial growth chart behind Newfoundland which will lead the nation and Alberta. In short, the three oil producing provinces are setting the pace for economic expansion this year.
That trend will largely be extended into 2027. Alberta is projected to lead the country in the BMO report. Saskatchewan will be second as Newfoundland falls back after a catch-up year in 2026.
Saskatchewan’s performance looks like this: growth of 1.9 per cent this year with a slightly stronger showing next year at 2.0 per cent. The 2026 growth rate is double the national average.
The bank expects job numbers in Saskatchewan will move upwards – roughly 20 per cent higher than this year – while the number of new home starts will drop by roughly 20 percentage points to 4,800.
— For more than 50 years, Paul Martin has specialized in coverage of the business and political scenes. His career has spanned radio, television and print and electronic media.
