Tenants of the Chinese megamall being built at the Global Transportation Hub are not required to hire Canadians, like other immigrant-established businesses in Regina.
Brightenview Development International is constructing a wholesale mall at the GTH, which the company says will house 300 businesses run by would-be Chinese immigrants wanting to sell their wares in the North American market.
Rules for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) say if an immigrant establishes a company in Regina or Saskatoon, they have to employ at least two Canadians or permanent residents.
That's potentially 600 new jobs at Brightenview's Global Trade and Exhibition Centre (GTEC).
A spokesperson explained that's because according to its founding legislation, the GTH is designated as its own municipality, like an airport authority or a First Nations reserve.
"It is accurate to say that because the business would be outside of Saskatoon or Regina there are no employee requirements," a spokesperson wrote in an email to CBC.
The NDP says the provincial government is so desperate to make the Chinese megamall successful, that it's manipulating Saskatchewan's immigration rules.
"It's somewhat shocking to see our government so twisting it out of its original intent," said NDP MLA Cathy Sproule. "Clearly this [hiring exemption] is for communities like Assiniboia and Humboldt."
She said it's surprising that "here we have an entity — a government created entity within city limits geographically — that's using these exemptions."
CBC asked the government for an interview, but it declined.
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Tenants of Chinese megamall at GTH don't have to hire Canadians - Saskatchewan - CBC News
Brightenview Development International is constructing a wholesale mall at the GTH, which the company says will house 300 businesses run by would-be Chinese immigrants wanting to sell their wares in the North American market.
Rules for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) say if an immigrant establishes a company in Regina or Saskatoon, they have to employ at least two Canadians or permanent residents.
That's potentially 600 new jobs at Brightenview's Global Trade and Exhibition Centre (GTEC).
A spokesperson explained that's because according to its founding legislation, the GTH is designated as its own municipality, like an airport authority or a First Nations reserve.
"It is accurate to say that because the business would be outside of Saskatoon or Regina there are no employee requirements," a spokesperson wrote in an email to CBC.
The NDP says the provincial government is so desperate to make the Chinese megamall successful, that it's manipulating Saskatchewan's immigration rules.
"It's somewhat shocking to see our government so twisting it out of its original intent," said NDP MLA Cathy Sproule. "Clearly this [hiring exemption] is for communities like Assiniboia and Humboldt."
She said it's surprising that "here we have an entity — a government created entity within city limits geographically — that's using these exemptions."
CBC asked the government for an interview, but it declined.
more
Tenants of Chinese megamall at GTH don't have to hire Canadians - Saskatchewan - CBC News
