ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Farming, mining and value-added food processing are among the city’s main industries. Various publications have named the city best for air and water quality and best in Canada for knowledge-based businesses. The city is home to the University of Saskatchewan, the only Canadian university to house all five health sci- ence colleges and a major teaching hospital on one cam- pus. It is also home to Innovation Place, described on the city’s website as one of the “most successful univer- sity related research parks in North America.” SREDA, one of Canada’s first independent economic development agencies, receives both public and private funding. “Our board is made up primarily of members from the private sector,” LeClair says. “We still have the same goals as other EDOs (economic development or- ganizations) but our set up changes the way we ap- proach things.” 54 – Fall 2013 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report SREDA is currently working on a research project with the Conference Board of Canada to identify the future of Saskatoon’s regional economy, complete with opportu- nities, pressures, and a focus on key economic drivers. More specifically, it will feature economic data, in-depth analysis and economic forecasting for the Saskatoon re- gion as a whole. This project will be followed by an in- depth supply chain analysis of the region’s construction sector. According to the Conference Board of Canada, Saska- toon’s construction industry is forecasted to experience strong growth (5.1 per cent) in 2013. Construction output increased by eight per cent in 2012, compared with a nine per cent rise in 2011. The combination of healthy population growth and strong employment creation has lifted housing demand, with housing starts soaring to nearly 3,400 units in 2012 and a similarly strong level ex- pected in 2013. With the province’s population at just over one million people, LeClair says it’s key to have someone share suc- cess stories with the world and actively pursue invest- ment opportunities for the region. “We do a lot of collaboration with our sister city Regina. Each city knows its strengths and we all recognize if it doesn’t fit in one place, it will fit somewhere else.” That collaboration extends nationally through the city’s participation in Consider Canada. This alliance of 11 key Canadian cities focuses on banding together against international competition. “With a bit of discus- sion and agreement there is a lot we can do, in a co-or- dinated fashion, to ensure Canada gets its fair share of investment.” LeClair says Saskatoon has taken part in two shared international missions this year and says this kind of ‘coopetition’ (cooperative competition) is critical in today’s global marketplace.” Saskatoon has core values related to a quality of life which includes a strong arts and culture scene, en- hanced by the construction of a new provincial art gallery and sport facilities, ranging from hockey and lacrosse to swimming. “Saskatoon is more vibrant than many peo- ple expect,” LeClair said. “We are also a destination for many different types of events and conferences. We have a strong regional infrastructure which both the mu- nicipality and province are looking at in a more collabo- rative way.”