LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Minimum Wage

Aug 15: Saskatchewan’s general minimum wage will increase by 35 cents to $15.70 per hour on October 1. Even after the increase takes effect, Saskatchewan will still have the second lowest minimum wage in Canada behind only Alberta where the current minimum wage stands at $15.00.

Action Point: Find out how to avoid common payroll errors when adjusting to minimum wage increases.

New Laws

Jul 22: Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) is investing more than $10 million for nine agricultural sector projects in Saskatchewan through two programs: the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program, which offers interest-free loans to high-growth businesses seeking to boost productivity, scale-up, and commercialize technology; and the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), which supports not-for-profit organizations that assist businesses in priority sectors.

New Laws

Jul 24: Saskatchewan will be getting over $141 million in federal Universal Broadband Fund support for six projects to bring high-speed Internet access to more than 30,000 households in over 500 rural and remote communities across the province. While 97.4% of Canadian households currently have access to high-speed internet, the access rate in Saskatchewan is only 89.2%.

New Laws

Aug 1: The Saskatchewan Drug Plan now covers Alyftrek, a medication that improves lung function for eligible patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) ages six and older who meet the medical criteria. Saskatchewan also covers other CF medications that treat specific genetic forms of the disease, including Trikafta, Orkambi, and Kalydeco.

CASES

Immigration: Restaurant Convicted of Charging Foreign Worker Illegal Employment Fee

The operator of a Moose Jaw Mexican restaurant earned the dubious distinction of being the first convicted under Saskatchewan’s new Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act (FWRISA). The company was fined $7,000 and forced to repay a foreign worker $12,000 after pleading guilty to charging a foreign worker an illegal fee for employment. The charges resulted from an investigation into allegations that the foreign worker was required to pay $12,000 to maintain employment, with continued employment being a condition of pathway to permanent residence [Dyan Jeny Enterprises, operating as Guac Mexi Grill, Govt. Press Release, August 13, 2026].

Action Point: Find out about 5 common Temporary Foreign Worker Program liability pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Health & Safety: Liquor Company Fined $28,000 for Vehicle Hoist Incident

A Regina liquor company worker suffered serious upper body injuries after getting pinned under a vehicle. The victim’s employer was fined $28,000 after pleading guilty to failing to ensure that no worker is required or permitted to work or be under a raised vehicle or trailer unless it’s supported by a vehicle hoist, substantial stands or blocks, and, if necessary, wheel chocks [WH Wines & Spirits Ltd., Govt. Press Release, July 10, 2026].