The good, the bad, and the ugly: a guide for non-residents and maybe Chappell Roan?
With its official release on Aug 1 this year, Chappell Roan’s “The Subway” rose quickly to popularity for a myriad of reasons, but a major point of discussion for the masses is the mention of the province of Saskatchewan in the lyrics. If, like Roan, moving to Saskatchewan might be on your mind, here is a short list of things to take note of.
What does everyday life in Saskatchewan look like?
You should expect extreme weather conditions that locals experience yearly, especially during the winter months with the temperature easily dropping to – 40 C. This means bundling up to avoid frostbite and wearing proper footwear to tackle the icy roads. Although summertime is much less harsh, it’s important to consider that the occurrence of wildfires has significantly increased. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) recently reported 48 active wildfires on August 22 of this year.
For Roan, not having a subway system might be a good way to forget an ex-lover and heal from the breakup, but the lack of options in transportation can be a real inconvenience. If you are planning to use public transportation, be advised that we do not have a subway, but places like Moose Jaw, Regina, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon can provide a transit bus. Having your own car can be beneficial, especially if there is no bus route to important locations like your workplace, school, or the grocery store. Otherwise, be ready to transfer between buses or walk a few minutes from the bus stop.
During the wintertime, you might find the nickname ‘Land of Living Skies’ is well-earned by Saskatchewan. -Lee Lim
Worried about affordability? The government of Saskatchewan outlined that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased by 1.4 per cent this year in July because of inflation, which is lower than the national average of 1.7 per cent. The CPI determines the cost of living, including the affordability of goods such as food, health or personal care, clothing, shelter, transportation, and alcohol. Contradicting the superior statistic, the Angus Reid Institute has been tracking the Economic Stress Index since 2022 and they reported last year that 46 per cent of those in Saskatchewan are struggling. Regina and Saskatoon are cities that are heavily experiencing this. This index measures Canadians’ comfortability with their living situation, household budget, debt, and stress.
If you are moving to Saskatchewan for work, there are services available to help make this transition. Those who are searching for a career can look to SaskJobs as a resource. In addition to their database for job searching, they offer services like: resume and cover letter building, interview preparation, career planning, and additional skills training. Statistics Canada revealed that Saskatchewan has a lower unemployment rate than other provinces and citizens ages 15 to 24 are significantly experiencing the highest unemployment rate in Canada. Saskatchewan Labour Force Statistics found there was a 3 per cent decrease in youth employment just from May to June of this year.
What is there to see and do?
During the wintertime, you might find the nickname ‘Land of Living Skies’ is well-earned by Saskatchewan. Around October through March, you can experience the northern lights. Stargazers will point you to head north and find a location with the darkest skies in order to get the best views. Locations like Prince Albert National Park, Grasslands National Park, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Moose Mountain Provincial Park, and Lake Diefenbaker are popular for aurora-chasing.
Whether you’re escaping from the woes of a bad breakup or looking to build a life here, Saskatchewan has plenty to offer to you. -Lee Lim
Saskatchewan is best known for its canola fields. Seeing this beauty after a long and biting winter season is like a reward. The canola tends to bloom mid-July and stay throughout the summer season; it can be spotted just outside the city limits. A scenic drive on Highway 378 through Thickwood Hills is just one of the ideal routes to see these golden fields.
If you’re not a fan of the outdoors, there are still many things to keep you entertained, like Saskatchewan’s growing and thriving art scene. Visit the Mackenzie Art Gallery in Regina, which is Saskatchewan’s oldest public art gallery that features Indigenous and contemporary work. There are also various art festivals happening all-year round. If you love movies, the Regina International Film Festival and Awards (RIFFA) is Saskatchewan’s largest annual film festival that celebrates international and Canadian filmmakers.
Saskatchewan might currently be the belle of the ball thanks to “The Subway,” but all that attention has sparked genuine interest in one of the lesser known provinces of Canada. Whether you’re escaping from the woes of a bad breakup or looking to build a life here, Saskatchewan has plenty to offer to you.
