Welcome to Saskatchewan

Saskatoon

Nestled in the heart of the Canadian prairies, Saskatoon offers a unique blend of urban vibrancy and Indigenous heritage. Known as the “Paris of the Prairies,” Saskatoon was the only Canadian city named to the New York Times’ 52 places to visit in 2018. As one of Saskatchewan’s largest cities, it boasts a rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty.

Saskatoon is situated on Treaty 6 territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis. The city’s name derives from the Cree word “misâskwatômina,” meaning “Saskatoon berries,” a nod to the abundant Saskatoon berry bushes that once flourished along the South Saskatchewan River. Indigenous history  and culture are woven into the fabric of Saskatoon, from the stunning artwork adorning public spaces to the powwows and cultural events that celebrate tradition and community. 

The city’s downtown offers an eclectic mix of trendy cafes, boutique shops, and diverse culinary
experiences. Annual festivals such as the Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival and the SaskTel
Saskatchewan Jazz Festival bring the streets to life with creativity and entertainment. Surrounded by
sprawling prairie landscapes and the winding South Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon is a haven for
outdoor enthusiasts, with parks and trails providing ample opportunities for hiking, biking, and
picnicking amidst breathtaking natural scenery.

 

 

The University of Saskatchewan is situated on Treaty 6 territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis.

 

 

Prince Albert

Prince Albert, also situated on Treaty 6 territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich Indigenous heritage. Known as the gateway to the northern wilderness, Prince Albert is surrounded by lush forests, rivers, and lakes, providing a stunning backdrop for both academic and recreational activities.

Indigenous history and culture are integral to Prince Albert, with numerous opportunities to engage with and learn from the local Indigenous communities. From art and music to traditional ceremonies and events, the city celebrates its Indigenous roots and offers a welcoming environment for all.

The urban culture of Prince Albert is dynamic and diverse. The city hosts several annual events and festivals, such as the Prince Albert Winter Festival and the Tapestrama Cultural Festival, which bring the community together in celebration of its diverse heritage.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of the prairies and the boreal forest, Prince Albert is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The nearby Prince Albert National Park offers endless opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The North Saskatchewan River provides a scenic setting for kayaking, fishing, and other water activities.

Relocation Checklist

Use this checklist to help you begin the process of relocating.

  • Note any relocation provision in your offer letter and the contact person (typically your college/school’s Executive Assistant (EA) to the Dean/Director.
  • Read the relevant section in the USFA Collective Agreement
  • Reach out to your contact person to plan for payment of eligible expenses and reimbursement
  • Book a house hunting trip if offered (keep track of receipts)
  • Purchase your house
  • Select a moving company and obtain quote. Send quote to your contact person.
  • Move to your new home city. Keep all receipts for one-way airfare for your family, accommodations, storage of property.
  • Submit your receipts to your unit’s EA (if arranged)

Relocation Process

The process outlined below begins once you are provided with the letter of offer from the provost and ends once you and your and family have relocated and have been reimbursed for authorized out-of-pocket expenses.

Your offer letter from the provost will stipulate whether you are eligible for relocation support. Relocation expenses, if eligible, are covered, in their entirety, up to a maximum of $10,000 in accordance with the Collective Agreement, section 22.9.2. The letter of offer from your unit, school or college (hereafter referred to as ‘unit’) will outline any additional support provided as part of your offer.

Contact information for the executive assistant (EA) from your unit will also be included in your letter of appointment, although you have likely already been in communication with this individual. The unit’s EA will be your point person for all relocation documents, supports and questions.

Reimbursement, direct payment by your unit, or an account to use for payment of expenses should all be prearranged with your EA as different units will have different preferred methods.

If you are relocating and are a non-resident of Canada, please ensure you have also started the process for immigration authorization. Please connect with our Immigration Specialist at hr_immigration@usask.ca more information on this process.

You’ve made the decision to join USask and are ready to plan your move. Included in the relocation support may be reimbursement for expenses incurred for a house-hunting trip. The negotiated details of this support will be included in your offer letter from your unit and all questions, concerns and required clarification about this benefit should be discussed with your unit’s EA.

You’ve made decision to join USask and are ready to plan your move. Included in the relocation support may be reimbursement for expenses incurred for a house-hunting trip. The details of this support will be included in your offer letter from your unit and all questions, concerns and required clarification about this benefit should be discussed with your unit’s EA.

Once you are employed and have received your first paycheck, you can apply for housing assistance. This assistance is outlined in the collective agreement article 22.8 Housing Assistance. This provision entitles the incumbent to a salary advance up to $30,000 for the purpose of buying a home. The advance will be made for a maximum of 5 years. The application for housing assistance should be completed and submitted to ConnectionPoint via email at connectionpoint@usask.ca.

You have purchased a house, and it is time to get ready to move. The Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO) has national agreements with two suppliers for moving and storage services. Please refer to the CAUBO moving companies document for more information on companies and available services.

Once you have selected a company, you will request a quote from the company and provide the quote to your EA for information (if the estimate is within an agreed upon amount), or for approval (if estimate is beyond an agreed upon amount) and to identify the next steps if the quote exceeds the amount promised in the letter of offer.

Economy one-way airfare to Saskatoon plus mileage to your assigned campus (if other than Saskatoon campus), including insurance, plus similar airfare for spouse and dependents, or actual travel costs if less, against receipts is an eligible expense. Please keep track of all receipts for airfare, or a quote on economy airfare, for comparison purposes, if you choose not to travel by air. If, once you get here, you cannot move into your new home, temporary accommodation costs (14 days max) can also be covered for lodging expenses as part of your maximum $10,000 benefit for up to 14 days.

Again, relocation/moving costs including moving possessions, storage of possessions by the moving company, and accommodation for up to 2 weeks, can be covered up to $10,000 total.

To be reimbursed for your expenses, you must keep track of all receipts and provide them to your units EA unless you are instructed to do otherwise by your unit. Your unit will submit all expenses through ConnectionPoint. Additional information on this process can be found on the ConnectionPoint webpage.

As per the policy/collective agreement, exclusions to this agreement include:
  • any travel or relocation for staff members who are already residing within 100 kilometres of their assigned University of Saskatchewan campus.
  • the movement between the Colleges or schools within the University of Saskatchewan campuses.
  • expenses incurred for the relocation of an office, laboratory, library, scholarly collection, or research equipment. These expenses may be covered by other provisions.

Eligible and Ineligible Relocation Expenses

Eligible Expenses

The following expenses are eligible for reimbursement when supported by itemized receipts and submitted through the University’s expense module (ConnectionPoint):
  • Costs associated with one house hunting trip if offered, based on actual receipted travel costs or return economy airfare, whichever is less, and meals and accommodation for up to five (5) days in Saskatoon (or other campus location). The trip must comply with the university travel policy.
  • One-way transportation to Saskatoon plus mileage to your assigned campus (if other than Saskatoon campus) by the most reasonable direct route, the course of moving the employee and members of the household at the time of the offer of employment.
  • The cost of moving household effects of the employee, spouse and dependents up to the maximum of $10,000 (Collective Agreement, article 22.9 Moving Expenses)
  • Up to fourteen days’ accommodation and per diems after arrival in Saskatoon (or other campus location) if the primary residence is not available up to the maximum of $10,000 (Collective Agreement, article 22.9 Moving Expenses)

Ineligible Expenses

The following expenditures are not eligible for reimbursement under this Policy: Costs of relocating relatives or others, who are not dependents and members of the household.

  • Costs that are eligible for reimbursement from any other source.
  • Costs associated with maintaining a second residence.
  • Temporary housing beyond 14 days.
  • Exit visas, medical examinations, passport fees.
  • Long-term storage of household effects beyond 6 months
  • Claims for any damages that may have been incurred through the relocation process (this is inclusive to any personal, third party, and/or property related damages)
  • Costs of travelling from locations other than the previous residence of the employee, unless approved by the University and, if approved, actual costs not exceeding equivalent economy airfare(s) to Saskatoon plus mileage to your assigned campus (if other than Saskatoon campus) from the nearest point of departure from the previous residence.
  • Any losses incurred in selling the previous residence.
  • Costs incurred in the sale of previous residence.
  • Any other costs are restricted as per the CRA Guidelines.

In circumstances where a college of school has received permission from the OPVPA to offer to cover moving costs beyond $10,000, an MOU will accompany the cover letter from the dean detailing the incumbent’s repayment schedule for monies over $10,000 brought about by early resignation from the position. Costs will be reimbursed on a pro-rata basis, or in full if the employee worked nine (9) months or less for the University. Each month’s regular service (exclusive of leave periods) will be considered as discharging 1/24th of the obligation.

Important University Contacts

Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations

Faculty Relations provides support in the areas of academic recruitment, retention and career development for faculty, collegial relations including faculty and administrative appointments, collegial processes including salary review, tenure and promotion, and negotiations with the faculty association.

Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic

The provost and vice-president academic is responsible for providing academic leadership to create and support learning environments and experiences that contribute to USask's bold aspiration to be the university the world needs.