July 2018

220 221 there are new jobs and opportunities here.We have been agricultural and resource-based and even those sectors are shifting towards more technology so we want to make sure that along with new jobs, it is still viable for those sectors as well.We want to make sure there is no reason to go elsewhere.That is a really key part of our future.” Saskatchewan is the world’s largest producer of potash,which is primarily used as a nutrient in fertilizers.There is also oil, natural gas, uranium and agriculture. Saskatoon, itself, boasts the head offices of the uranium company, Cameco, as well as the potash producer Nutrium,which is the fourth largest agricultural company in the world.The head offices of the Federated Co-Op are also located there.This is a national consortium of different co-op retail and service centers. “We also have the main comprehensive university in the province,” says Clark,“which also has a fairly substantial research and industry liaison where there are different industries connected to the university creating a lot opportunity.This includes a global water security institute and a global food security institute at the university which are hubs of research and innovation.” Going forward, Clark sees the city continuing to work on providing solutions to many of the chal- lenges that the world, at large, is going to be fac- ing.“So,we are interested in seeing expansion in research and opportunity in renewable energy,”he explains.“We have a great solar capacity and poten- SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN tial in this area. Even though it is cold in the winter, the sun shines a great deal.And then,we have some tech companies that are also involved in address- ing key world problems.There is a company called Solido Design Automation, for example, that helps computers become faster and works with compa- nies that are creating computer processes.This com- pany grew right out of the University of Saskatche- wan, here.We also have a lot of innovation in health care with things like remote healthcare provision where instead of having doctors and surgeons in very small, far-flung communities, they are providing some of those services remotely, but still providing quality.” Saskatoon is also working to try and facilitate the development of more solar energy projects -wheth- er on unused or underutilized land in the city, or on rooftops.The city is in partnership with the Sas- katoon Tribal Council, a local consortium of seven different First Nations in the area, to develop a hydro dam on the river. It really is a place that wants to become better. “There has been a recent announcement where the federal government identified five different innovation super collectors across the country and Saskatchewan was named for protein,” says Clark. “That is really providing and adding value to pulse crops - things like chickpeas and lentils and soy- beans which are grown here.As the world gets more populated and people can’t all have steaks and hamburgers every day because of the amount of energy required to support a meat-based diet,