Natural Infrastructure and Prairie Prosperity

This fact sheet by the International Institute for Sustainable Development describes the economic impact and growth potential of the natural infrastructure sector in the Canadian Prairies, with a specific focus on Saskatchewan. It defines natural infrastructure as a method of planning and working with nature to meet needs such as wastewater treatment, flood protection, and drinking water supply.

• In 2022, the natural infrastructure sector across the Canadian Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) directly employed more than 33,000 people and contributed over CAD 4.1 billion to the region's GDP. When accounting for direct, indirect, and induced effects, the sector supported over 58,000 jobs and contributed CAD 7 billion to the GDP.
• In Saskatchewan, the natural infrastructure sector directly employed over 5,800 people and contributed CAD 640 million to the provincial economy in 2022. Including indirect and induced impacts, the sector employed over 9,400 people and generated CAD 1 billion in GDP.
• Investment scenarios for Saskatchewan indicate that an annual investment of CAD 10 million would increase direct jobs by 6% and direct GDP by 6%, while an annual investment of CAD 25 million would increase direct jobs by 16% and direct GDP by 14%.
• In Alberta, the natural infrastructure sector directly employed over 21,000 people and contributed CAD 2.9 billion to the provincial economy in 2022. Investment scenarios suggest a CAD 20 million annual investment could increase direct jobs by 3% and GDP by 8%, while a CAD 50 million annual investment could increase direct jobs by 8% and GDP by 7%.
• In Manitoba, the natural infrastructure sector directly employed over 5,700 people and contributed CAD 540 million to the provincial economy in 2022. A CAD 10 million annual investment could boost direct jobs by 8% and GDP by 7%, while a CAD 25 million annual investment could increase direct jobs by 21% and GDP by 17%.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2023). Natural Infrastructure and Prairie Prosperity. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-11/natural-infrastructure-prairie-prosperity-saskatchewan.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Natural Infrastructure and Prairie Prosperity. 2023. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-11/natural-infrastructure-prairie-prosperity-saskatchewan.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Natural Infrastructure and Prairie Prosperity |date=2023 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-11/natural-infrastructure-prairie-prosperity-saskatchewan.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2023natural, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Natural Infrastructure and Prairie Prosperity}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2023}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-11/natural-infrastructure-prairie-prosperity-saskatchewan.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }