Boreal West Region
Overview
The northwest region shares Saskatchewan’s
border with Alberta, and is home to 23
communities and over 11,000 people.
Approximately 95% of the population is of
Aboriginal ancestry (Métis, Dene, and Cree).
The key industries are forestry, commercial
services, and mining. The region holds
promise to benefit from the Alberta oil sands
with the anticipated road link between Fort
McMurray and La Loche. The public sector is
a major employer in the region.
Boreal
Athabasca West
Boreal
West
Churchill
River
Demographics
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Source: Saskatchewan Health Covered Population 2007
Total population*: 12,599
Aboriginal population (%): 95.2%
Youth population, 15 to 29 (%): 26.0%
Major languages: English, Dene, Cree
Participation rate (15+): 45.3%
Employment rate (15+): 34.6%
Unemployment rate (15+): 24.0%
Population15+ with a high school diploma:
14.4%
Population 15+ with a trades, college, or
university certificate, diploma, or degree: 22.2%
Economy
Key Industries
Mining: Cameco and AREVA have service agreements with many of the Economic
Development Corporations in the Boreal West Enterprise Region for Catering, Janitorial,
Security, Underground Mining, Construction, Decommissioning and Reclamation. AREVA
Resources and UEX Corporation continue to explore 30km south of the decommissioned Cluff
Lake Mine, known as Shea Creek. Drilling programs look promising and Shea Creek may be
the next uranium mine to be established in the North West region. It is estimated that
underground exploration development followed by production and mill construction could be as
soon as 2020/21.
Commercial Services: Buffalo Narrows, La Loche, and Ile a la Crosse are service hubs for
outlying communities, providing accommodation, banking, retail, medical, legal, and business
services.
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FNMR-Northern Affairs Div.
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Boreal West Enterprise Region
Oil Sands: Activity in the Alberta oil sands near Fort McMurray, Alberta is expected to double
within the next 10 years; offering employment opportunities for skilled workers. This potential
will increase for northern Saskatchewan residents as a result of the road connection being
constructed between Garson Lake, Saskatchewan, and Fort McMurray, Alberta, particularly for
residents of northwest Saskatchewan.
There is also growing interest in Saskatchewan-based oil sands. The McMurray formation
extends into Saskatchewan, where it is called Dina Sand. Oil Sands Quest now holds oil sands
exploration permits. Applications for commercial development and low pressure Steam
Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) tests have been submitted to appropriate ministries.
Tourism: Northern Saskatchewan’s tourism industry continues to experience moderate growth,
and has significant potential for further development with the anticipated completion of the Fort
McMurray/Garson Lake Road. The Westside Tourism Group will need to be re-established to
identify a tourism strategic plan for the Boreal West enterprise Region, build capacity, and form
partnerships.
Major Employers
• Meadow Lake Tribal Council
• Province of Saskatchewan
• Keewatin Yatthe Health Authority
Businesses
The Northern Saskatchewan Business Directory identifies 104 businesses in the North West
region.
The northern lenders that service the region include:
• Northern Development Fund, Saskatchewan Northern Affairs
• Beaver River, Community Futures Development Corporation
• Northern Enterprise Fund Inc.
• Battlefords Credit Union
• Primrose Lake Economic Development Corporation (PLEDCO)
• And many others not based within the region (e.g. Clarence Campeau Development Fund)
Training and Education
Post-secondary institutions
The northwest region has two post secondary institutions:
• Northlands College – Western Region, located in Buffalo Narrows, Saskatchewan
• Gabriel Dumont Institute
• ABE Programs in La Loche and Ile a la Crosse
Northlands College offers off-campus Arts and Science program for the University of
Saskatchewan and University of Regina through SCN sites in Beauval, Buffalo Narrows, La
Loche and Pinehouse.
Career and Employment Services
Saskatchewan Advanced Education and Employment’s CanSask has one office in Ile a la
Crosse to offer employment services. As well, services are provided in Buffalo Narrows and
Pinehouse on a contractual basis.
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FNMR-Northern Affairs Div.
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Boreal West Enterprise Region
High School
The province offers classes to grade 12 in five of the region’s communities: Beauval, Buffalo
Narrows, Ile a la Crosse, La Loche and Pinehouse. Five communities have access to grade 12
through the Meadow Lake Tribal Council: Birch Narrows, Canoe Narrows, Buffalo River,
Clearwater River and English River.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Communities in the northwest region can be accessed by road and air. The main provincial
highway that connects the region is Highway 155. Communities with airstrips in the region
include: Beauval, Buffalo Narrows, Green Lake, Ile a la Crosse, La Loche, Patuanak and
Pinehouse.
Information Technology
All communities, except Bear Creek, Black Point, Descharme Lake, Dore Lake, and Sled Lake,
have public access to high speed internet through Community Access Centres. The centres
provide access to on-line education, e-commerce, and community services.
All but three communities (Black Point, Descharme Lake, and Michel Village) in the northwest
region have access to high speed basic internet. The Northern Broadband Network has
resulted in expanded information technology services to the region.
First Nation Presence
Tribal Council: Meadow Lake Tribal Council
• Canoe Lake Cree Nation (Canoe Narrows)
• Buffalo River Dene Nation (Dillon)
• Clearwater Rive Dene Nation (La Loche)
• English River First Nation (Patuanak)
• Birch Narrows First Nation (Turnor Lake)
Métis Nation Presence
Métis Council: Northern Region II (North area)
• Regional President: Marlene Hansen (Buffalo Narrows)
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Northern Region III (South area)
Regional President: Louis G. Gardiner (IIe a La Crosse)
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FNMR-Northern Affairs Div.
02/04/2012
Boreal West Enterprise Region