The announcement was made by Canada’s Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale at 7shifts Employee Scheduling Software in Saskatoon.
In total, $27 million will go to 17 different projects in the province. Goodale said the funding is expected to “generate more than 770 new Saskatchewan jobs.”
“These funding initiatives from [Western Economic Diversification Canada] are, in fact, tailored to meet the needs of the private sector entrepreneurs and the opportunities that they are trying to take advantage of,” he said.
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“This money will go to support the Saskatchewan export industry,” Chris Dekker, president and CEO of Saskatchewan Trade Export Partnership (STEP), said.
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STEP works to promote Saskatchewan industry abroad and is receiving $1.6 million.
Other recipients include 7shifts, which is receiving $3 million to “develop a predictive employee scheduling platform for … restaurant operators” and Biktrix Enterprises, which is receiving $250,000 to “commercialize [a] novel multipurpose hybrid electric bike,” according to a press release.
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As well, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation near Loon Lake will receive $211,109 for construction skills training.
“One of the priorities of [Western Economic Diversification Canada] is the greater inclusion of Indigenous people in every economic opportunity that’s available in Western Canada,” Goodale said.
