Skilled Labour Shortages Impacting Regina’s Economy Nearly $500 Million: Report

March 28, 2025 EquityExplained

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EDR’s Report Highlights Skilled Labour Shortages in Regina, Projecting a $500 Million Economic Impact

EDR’s Report Highlights Skilled Labour Shortages in Regina, Projecting a $500 Million Economic Impact

The recent report by the Economic Development Research (EDR) institute sheds light on the pressing issue of skilled labour shortages in Regina, Saskatchewan. According to the findings, these shortages are expected to cost the city nearly $500 million annually due to the lack of sufficient workers in key sectors.

Numbers Point to a Significant Economic Impact

The report outlines that construction and retail industries face significant vacancies, with an estimated 3,500 job openings at the end of last year. This shortage is expected to escalate as other sectors like healthcare also experience labour shortages. Retail, in particular, has been marked by the highest number of job vacancies over the past three years.

Key Findings from EDR’s Report

Construction and retail employment continue to see the most significant numbers of vacancies, following a three-year trend.
Both sectors are experiencing significant shortages, alongside health care.
Retail has topped sector comparisons for 2022 and 2023, marking an estimated 3,500 job vacancies at the end of last year.

labour shortages are expected to cost Regina $500 million annually

Businesses across Canada report that filling vacancies is a challenge, with more than a third of Canadian businesses indicating that recruiting skilled employees will remain a major obstacle in 2024. According to Statistics Canada data, Saskatchewan businesses surveyed by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business have reported that skilled workers are the top constraint on growth, while unskilled workers are a close second.

Migration Helps Meet Labour Supply

The report highlights that immigration has helped meet labour supply in Regina, contributing significantly to year-over-year employment growth. Between 2016 and 2020, approximately 60% of the entire province’s net migration settled in or around Regina. However, this same data suggests a critical challenge: on the horizon are projects like the Cargill and Viterra canola crush facilities, along with the new joint-agriculture complex from FCL and AGT Foods. While these megaprojects are expected to deliver significant economic returns, they will also likely intensify the pressures on Regina’s available workforce.

Construction and transport industries face labour shortages

The report emphasizes that successful solutions will need to balance focus on attracting, retaining, and training workers while ensuring all available labour pools are activated. Lane suggests combining these initiatives is essential to address the growing issue. Leveraging immigration volumes and improving quality of life in Regina could help mitigate some of the challenges.

Key Solutions Proposed by EDR

The report concludes with several proposed solutions:

Focus on attracting, retaining, and training workers through targeted efforts.
Improve the quality of life in Regina to make it more attractive for both current and future workers.
Ensure all available labour pools are activated.

Conclusion

The EDR report underscores the critical need for Regina to address its skilled labour shortages. With projections of a significant economic impact tied to these shortages, it is essential that the city takes proactive steps to mitigate the challenges posed by insufficient workers in key industries.

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