Municipality of French River

Key Employers in Community

Most Wynyard residents are employed in agriculture and related services. Agricultural establishments include Lilydale Co-operative Ltd, Wynyard Poultry Farms Ltd, Wynyard Hatchery Ltd, CPR Mashalling Yards, Wynyard Technologies Inc, Goodhall Memorials Ltd, and Big Quill Resources Ltd. There is also a grocery store, a gas station, retail shops, a liquor store, a cannabis store, and restaurants.

Key employers include Sofina (200-250); Hospital/Care Home (100); CPR (50); Coop (50); Compass Minerals (30). 

Compass Minerals, near Kandahar, and Broadgrain, in Dafoe, continue to invest in their facilities and provide a large number of employment opportunities to people from Wynyard and the area. Other employment opportunities are created by the Town of Wynyard project (e.g., arena construction). 

A list of local businesses can be found here: Wynyard, SK Business Directory, Listings and Search.

Business Needs / Gaps

Business gaps in Wynyard include insufficient clothing stores and entertainment options. Wynyard has lawyers; however, succession planning in law firms is challenging. 

Business Support

The Wynyard Small Business Start-up Centre provides advice to start-up businesses. The Cornerstone Credit Union provides alternative funding. Business is promoted on the Town of Wynyard website. 

The community has tax incentives in place for new builds, a two-year full tax exemption on a new building, and a one-year full tax exemption if someone buys an existing business. 

Economic Development Programs / Plans

Town Council is authorizing staff to create an Economic Development Committee. The town also runs workshops and other events to support local businesses. 

Key Economic Challenges in the Community

None Identified

All industry categories

825

• 11 Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting

30

• 21 Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

40

• 22 Utilities

0

• 23 Construction

40

• 31-33 Manufacturing

145

• 41 Wholesale trade

45

• 44-45 Retail trade

110

• 48-49 Transportation and warehousing

35

• 51 Information and cultural industries

0

• 52 Finance and insurance

10

• 53 Real estate and rental and leasing

0

• 54 Professional, scientific, and technical services

0

• 55 Management of companies and enterprises

0

• 56 Administrative and support, waste management, and remediation services

20

• 61 Educational services

45

• 62 Health care and social assistance

120

• 71 Arts, entertainment, and recreation

25

• 72 Accommodation and food services

65

• 81 Other services (except public administration)

40

• 91 Public administration

45

In the labour force

835

• Employed

790

• Unemployed

40

Not in the labour force

530

Participation rate (%)

61.2

Employment rate (%)

57.9

Unemployment rate (%)

4.8

Labour Competition

Recruitment and retention of workers is always a challenge. Other job opportunities, such as those offered in the mining sector, affect employment at local businesses. 

Employment Services

Employment services offered by Wynyard include

• GED program 
• Social media/networking coaching 
• IT support (access to computer, internet) 

Sporadic support services for resume writing, interview coaching, counselling, and job coaching are offered through such institutions as the CTRC. 

Challenges

Wynyard worries about the shortage of skilled workers in the community. There is a current need for trades, especially millwrights.