Saskatchewan home to 156,850 small businesses

The Government of Saskatchewan says the province is home to 156,850 small businesses, according to a profile of the sector released Tuesday, Oct. 20, during Small Business Week. The week runs Oct. 19 to 25.

The Ministry of Trade and Export Development released the Saskatchewan Small Business Profile. The release says the count ranks the province second in Canada per capita.

Canada defines a small business as one with fewer than 50 employees. The release says such firms made up 98.8 per cent of Saskatchewan businesses in 2025.

They employed about 30 per cent of the provincial workforce and paid more than $8.3 billion in wages and salaries. These figures are the government’s own.

The government also pointed to the 1 per cent rate it charges small businesses on income, which it describes as permanent. It has raised the income threshold for that rate from $500,000 to $600,000, which the release says is among the highest in the country.

Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said small businesses create jobs and support families. Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO Prabha Ramaswamy said they employ neighbours and keep towns and cities strong.

The release says small businesses operate across the economy, including agriculture, mining and manufacturing. Small Business Week is an initiative of the Business Development Bank of Canada.