Mayor Clive Tolley gave his New Year’s address to Moose Jaw City Council on Monday night.  

Tolley said in his speech that Moose Jaw is one of the most welcoming cities in the world. Through the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council, the Newcomers Centre and the immigration programs being operated out of the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, Tolley felt Moose Jaw’s population is more diverse than it ever has been.  

He said these new citizens are filling many new jobs that are being created through new and existing economic initiatives. Tolley highlighted the $780 million SaskPower Great Plains Power Station, the Donald’s Fine Foods North 49 Sow Processing Plant and Brandt Industries’ conversion of the former Phillips Cable plant into a utility trailer manufacturing plant. Along with local entrepreneur initiatives, Moose Jaw’s building permits nearly topped $1 billion for the first-time last year.  

With all the job openings, Tolley said Moose Jaw is a place of opportunity.  

Tolley highlighted the city’s Get A Life campaign that was launched in 2022 suggesting to the rest of Canada that Moose Jaw is a great place to live, work and play.  

“While our home prices and cost of living are still rising, they're still very affordable as compared to the rest of the country,” Tolley said.   

“For entrepreneurs wanting to start a new business or move an existing business from another location, we have commercial and industrial land available here in the City of Moose Jaw at a reduced rate compared to our neighbouring cities.”  

Tolley also noted the Snowbirds 50th anniversary reunion last year with over 500 people coming to the city. The reunion utilized facilities such as the Grant Hall, the Moose Jaw Events Centre and the Western Development Museum.  

Coming up, Moose Jaw will be hosting the Midwest Shriners Conference in 2025, which could see more than 800 Shriners come to Moose Jaw. The city is also hosting the 2022 and 2023 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championships in March.  

The mayor said our city is constantly seeing improvements and upgrades to our existing tourism facilities.  

“Temple Gardens Mineral Spa under the ownership of Peepeekisis First Nation will invest more than $10 million in renovations," Tolley said.   

“The Tunnels of Moose Jaw opened Bunker 24, A Cold War Experience, to go along with their Capone and Chinese Connection tours and our Moose Jaw Municipal Airport has an extended runway which is spurring on new hangar development and helping establish an even closer relationship with 15 Wing.”  

Tolley noted the plant renewal project taking place at the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant along with the new supply line to Moose Jaw and the recently opened High Service Reservoir Pumphouse will ensure Moose Jaw has clean drinking water for the next 50 years.  

He closed by saying all citizens, led by city council and city administration, can work together to expand Moose Jaw’s tax base and grow the city and he thanked those who made Moose Jaw a better place to live.  

You can hear Tolley’s full New Year’s address below: