Export Development
Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) works in partnership with Saskatchewan businesses to maximize commercial success in global ventures. STEP's team of professionals delivers custom export solutions and market intelligence to member companies across the Province. STEP was created to provide trade development, custom market research and access to export financing for exporters in the Province.
Export Development Canada (EDC) provides innovative financing, insurance and bonding solutions to Canadian companies that export goods and services, or invest in other countries. EDC operates in 200 markets worldwide, including 130 emerging markets. EDC helps Canadian enterprises - mainly small and medium sized - manage risk and capitalize on trade opportunities around the globe.
Exporting - Government of Canada Business Services for Entrepreneurs provides information on planning, financing, and regulations surrounding exporting from Canada. Market research and export strategies are also available.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) international trade section provides information for Canadian businesses doing business abroad, innovation, export and import controls, and trade negotiations and agreements.
Online Resources
Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre Infosource site includes an interactive business planner, province-specific information guides, online workshops, guides to E-commerce, and national and provincial specific government programs, services and regulations.
Industry Canada’s goals are to build a dynamic and innovative economy where all Canadians have the opportunity to benefit from more and better-paying jobs, stronger business growth, and a marketplace that is fair, efficient and competitive. This site contains information such as business tools and resources; economic and market research; financing; research, development and commercialization; regulations; trade; and youth initiatives.
Organizations
Business Associations
The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce serves as a valuable connection between business and government to ensure that the opinions and suggestions are heard at all levels of government. They are also a liaison, serving as an important resource and referral centre to the Battlefords.
Industry Associations
Construction
The Saskatchewan Construction Association provides information on construction issues, networking opportunities, educational events and industry activities for a membership of over 1200 General Contractors, Trade Contractors, Manufacturers, and Suppliers of Goods and Services to the Construction Industry.
Exporting
The Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership is a unique public-private partnership led by industry and established as a non-profit corporation in 1996 by the Province of Saskatchewan. STEP works in partnership with Saskatchewan businesses to maximize commercial success in global ventures. STEP's team of professionals delivers custom export solutions and market intelligence to member companies across the Province.
Finance
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Saskatchewan (ICAS) instills public confidence in chartered accountants as the designation of choice.
Human Resources
The Saskatchewan Association of Human Resource Professionals (SAHRP) is the Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) granting body within the Province of Saskatchewan, as well as service as a provincial professional association.
Information and Communication Technology
Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association (SATA) provides a voice for Saskatchewan technology firms as well as provides information sharing for those firms.
Life Sciences
Ag-West Bio focuses on products derived from living organisms with market applications in agricultural, environmental, industrial, energy and bio-processing, and health and nutrition markets. Ag-West Bio is a membership-based organization at the forefront of Saskatchewan's bio-economy. The organization works as a catalyst for partnerships and industry growth through investments, aiding strategic alliances, providing regulatory support and communications. Membership has grown to include over 100 corporations, associations and individuals representing natural health products and functional foods, bio-products and bioprocesses, and agricultural biotechnology sectors.
Manufacturing
Saskatchewan Food Processors Association (SFPA) is a nonprofit organization designed to strengthen the food processing industry in Saskatchewan.
Mining
Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA) works to enhance and encourage the well-being of the mining industry in Saskatchewan.
Transportation
Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) is a province-wide non-profit, non-political trade association that represents the interests of all types of private and for-hire trucking companies and firms who provide trucking-related products and services. The STA is the only provincial organization who speaks solely for the motor carrier industry. The STA is also the only Saskatchewan organization to be affiliated with the Canadian Trucking Alliance. STA members can benefit locally and nationally with access to the CTA's vast resources.
Tourism Associations
Battlefords Tourism represents two unique and vibrant communities, and our goal is to ensure every visitor departs with great memories and a desire to return. Battlefords Tourism is a membership based non-profit organization. Our business services include tourism marketing, brochures, accommodation information, convention planning, etc. on the Battlefords and area. Visitors can locate us in downtown North Battleford at Suite 502, 1101-101st Street.
Research & Development
Scientific research and development (R&D) in North Battleford is conducted principally through the University of Saskatchewan at the Canadian Feed Technology Research Centre, which will be one of several throughout the world and the only one in Canada.
The Government of Canada offers a Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive program that encourages Canadian businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors to conduct R&D in Canada. It is the largest single source of federal government support for industrial R&D. The SR&ED program gives claimants cash refunds and/or tax credits for their expenditures on eligible R&D work done in Canada. Claimants can apply for tax credits for expenditures such as wages, materials, machinery, equipment, some overhead and SR&ED contracts.
The Canadian Light Source (CLS) Inc. Synchrotron
The Canadian Light Source synchrotron is located within an hour of North Battleford and is one of the largest scientific projects in Canada, and is used for scientific research and for companies wishing to enhance their R&D capability. Producing light that is a million times brighter than sunlight, the synchrotron is much like a microscope, allowing scientist to study and understand the nature and structure of molecules and materials. Information obtained with a synchrotron can be used to help design new drugs, examine the structure of surfaces for developing more effective motor oils, build more powerful computer chips, and help with clean-up of mining wastes, to name just a few applications.
Support for Product Development and Technology Transfer
Local, national and international businesses have access to contract research facilities at the University of Saskatchewan within only 120 km of North Battleford and a number of other support and product development agencies. Locating in the North Battleford can help many companies improve their bottom line, as well as bring new inventions to the marketplace by connecting to these supporting agencies.
Agriculture and Life Sciences
Innovation Place Bio Processing Centre provides toll or custom processing on a contract basis for the natural health product, cosmetic, and agri-food industries. The plant has a wide range of wet processing equipment that is used to carry out extraction and/or fractionation of many different plant materials.
National Research Council Plant Biotechnology Institute (NRC-PBI) promotes and conducts collaborative plant biotechnology research with universities, government departments, and biotechnology companies. It assists with transferring research to produce development and commercialization, and provides training for plant biotechnology scientists. The NRC/PBI Industry Partnership Facility is a 74,000 square foot expansion built to house incubation and research equipment for start-up plant-science companies.
POS Pilot Plant Corporation is a confidential research and development facility specializing in developing bio-processing solutions.
Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) houses the Fermentation Pilot Plant, GenServe Laboratories, and Bova-Can Laboratories.
The Fermentation Pilot Plant focuses on the development, scale-up, optimization, and commercialization of new and existing products. SRC’s research professionals perform public and confidential contract research and development.
GenServe Laboratories offers DNA testing services to agricultural and biotechnology industries. The services include high throughput DNA testing of plants and DNA fingerprinting of crops, trees, and micro-organisms. The laboratory also develops new molecular testing technologies on a contract basis.
Bova-Can Laboratories provides diagnostic genetic services to the livestock industry. Its annual sales have reached $1.2 million.
Toxicology Centre focuses on studying the adverse effects of chemical and physical agents on the aquatic system.
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) focuses on both human and animal vaccine research. VIDO also houses the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), a $140 million vaccine research and development facility against diseases such as tuberculosis, West Nile virus and SARS.
Food Science
The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre assists with research and development of products, provides interim processing, and assists with regulations, marketing, distribution, and implementation of food quality assurance programs.
The U of S College of Agriculture’s Department of Applied Microbiology and Food Science conducts chemical, biological and processing studies of food products for development and quality improvements.
Mining and Communications Technology
Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre (SSSC) The SSSC is an $11.4 million multi-disciplinary research centre that complements the Canadian Light Source. It provides services for universities, government, and private sector.
Telecommunications Research Laboratories (TRLabs) is Canada’s largest not-for-profit telecommunications research consortium. Its research is focused on data networking, network access, and network systems, photonics, and wireless communication.
