Saskatchewan exports much more than wheat, potash and oil — including ambulances

A Grade 7 class at Willowgrove School in Saskatoon recently brainstormed items they think Saskatchewan makes and sends to other countries.

"I see a lot of yellow fields with canola."

"Lots of livestock."

"Oil."

These are some of the province's most well-known exports. But does Saskatchewan make any other, lesser-known products?

"My question is what does Saskatchewan produce other than potash and wheat?" asked Eli Hnatiw.

"We're curious about it," said Robert Popescul, the Grade 7 teacher. "Those are some things, but I don't know what the real answer is gonna be."

The class put the question to the CBC podcast Good Question, Saskatchewan.

11:22What are Saskatchewan ambulances doing in Morocco?

From emergency vehicles to emergency late-night pizza orders, Saskatchewan exports are more than just fuel, food and fertilizer. Where they end up may surprise you. 

We turned to Chris Dekker, president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Trade Export Partnership.

Dekker said Saskatchewan ships items to more than 160 countries around the world. While we are most known for food, fuel and fertilizer, he said there are plenty of other products putting Saskatchewan on the map.

One of the most surprising, according to Dekker, is ambulances.

Crestline Coach Inc. in Saskatoon was started by two local paramedics 50 years ago. The company now has more than 300 employees and ships ambulances all around the world.

See the Saskatoon facility making ambulances for use around the world: 

See the Saskatoon facility making ambulances for use around the world

6 months ago

Duration 1:26

Crestline Coach Inc. in Saskatoon was started by two local paramedics 50 years ago. The company now has more than 300 employees and ships ambulances all around the world.

Most are sent to other provinces and into the United States, but made-in-Saskatchewan ambulances also go to Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Europe, and Central and South America.

"[Our ambulances] play a very, very important role … when they're probably having one of the worst days of their life," said Steve Hoffrogge, the company CEO. 

Dekker said Saskatchewan is also becoming known for exporting technology. Skip the Dishes, the food delivery app, was made in Saskatchewan, as was Home Team Live, a broadcast-quality service streaming amateur sports.

Dekker said it's exciting to see made-in-Saskatchewan products reaching all corners of the globe. He said this means there are exciting job prospects for the province's people – including the Grade 7 students curious about exports.