Saskatchewan-Manitoba

At 1 per cent, the apartment rental vacancy rate in Regina is the lowest in Canada, confirms a recent annual survey by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC), which notes that Estevan, Moose Jaw and Saskatoon also have very tight rental markets.

Saskatchewan has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, at 4.9 per cent, which has sparked a campaign to lure more skilled workers.

Flooding in Australia has pushed wheat prices higher, with wheat for March delivery gaining 11.25 cents to settle at US$8.055 a bushel. Prices also surged as dry, cold weather in the U.S. and China sparked concerns about global supplies.

A growing population and attractive interest rates should spark more activity in Saskatoon's housing market in 2011. That's according to the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors (SRAR).

Eight major economic forecasters are predicting that Saskatchewan will have the fastest-growing economy in Canada in 2011. Saskatchewan's economy is expected to increase by an average of 3.7 per cent next year, well ahead of the 2.

Cut red tape "It should be easy to start a business here. We need to up our game in this area," she said.

With no rent controls, a 1 per cent vacancy rate and rising rents, Saskatchewan's capital is emerging as a dream market for multi-family investors.

Labour demand is expected to remain reasonably firm through this year, resulting in an average annual employment gain of 1.3 per cent into 2011.

The Saskatchewan government is no longer spending more money than it takes into provincial coffers.

Weyerhaeuser Co. Ltd. has reopened its oriented strand board plant in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, that it had closed in July of 2008, leaving 140 people without jobs.