Living

Saskatchewan is equipped to meet your all communication needs, whether these are local, regional or international.  This section has information for you on communications in Saskatchewan, including telephone, internet, postal services, television, radio, newspapers and other publications.

When you get here, you might want to let family and friends know that you arrived safely and how they can contact you.  One way you can do this is to use a public payphone.  Payphones are located in many public places, including the airport or shopping centers.  To use a payphone, you must put in enough Canadian coins for the call (two-dollar, dollar, quarters), or you can use credit cards in some phones. 

Another less expensive option is to use a telephone card.  When you buy the card, you pre-pay for telephone minutes.  You may be able to buy a telephone card in your country before you leave for Saskatchewan. 

There are many different kinds of phone cards, with different rates.  When buying a telephone card, make sure that it is good for use in Canada and that its destinations include the country you want to call.

If you prefer to communicate by e-mail, some airports have public-access computers in lounges or internet cafes.  Sometimes these services are free, but usually there is a cost.  Once you arrive in Saskatchewan, many communities have public libraries where you can use computers with Internet for free.  You may have to reserve the computer in advance by telephone or in person.  Click Here to Find Your Closest Public Library

Getting telephone and other communication services is often called "getting a hook-up."  Some communications services include:  telephone, internet or television.  You can get these services separately or in some cases, service providers offer "bundles" (telephone, Internet, cell phone and cable television) for a better price.

The cost of the hook-up will be listed on your first bill.  Payment for many services is billed one month in advance; you are expected to pay the bill within 30 days of receiving it (see Connecting Utilities section).

Many parts of Saskatchewan offer choices for telephone service including home landlines, digital cable and cell phone services.  If you have a computer and Internet service, you can also set up VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services. 

A main provider of telephone service in Saskatchewan is SaskTel.  Its services include rental of telephones, emergency 911 connections and long distance calling plans.  If the place you are living in does not have a telephone book, you need to request one.  They do not cost money and you can request one from the telephone company.  You can find communication companies in the Yellow Pages of your telephone book or online at mysask.com if you search under" Cellular Telephones" or "Telephone Companies." 

Telemarketing is the practice of trying to sell products or services by telephone.  You might find you get many calls offering to sell you something.  If you do not want to receive these calls, you can register your telephone number on a National Do Not Call list of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission of Canada. 

For long distance, including international calls, you have the option of using telephone cards from your home phone or your cell phone.  You can buy them in many places including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores.

Although most communities in Saskatchewan offer internet services, there are remote parts of Saskatchewan that do not have internet service.  Sometimes cities have a free internet zone where you can use wireless service. 

Canada Post provides regular postal service in Saskatchewan.  When you move into a home, you need to inform the post office:  mail delivery will begin automatically after you share your address and mail is sent to you.

Canada uses a postal code system to make mail delivery easier.  It is a combination of letters and numbers, such as:  S7P 4J8.  You can find local postal codes in your telephone book together with the person's name and address.  Find a Postal Code in Canada.

In many large centers, Canada Post delivers mail to your mail box attached to your house or to a mailbox in the locked foyer of apartment blocks.  In some places, you get your mail from a central mailbox depot in your neighbourhood where you will have your own box that you access with a key.  In Saskatchewan towns, there is often a central post office where you can rent a mail box.

When you need to buy stamps, buy and send a money order, or mail a parcel, your options depend on your community.  Most cities and towns have a central post office, but many cities offer extra service in postal outlets.  

When you move, it is important to tell Canada Post.  You can get your mail forwarded to your new address for a certain period of time (there is a charge for this service).  

Saskatchewan offers a variety of television and radio programming.  Standard television and radio services are free, but if you want cable television with more variety of programs, you must order and pay for it.  Another option is satellite television service, which has monthly charges and equipment costs.  Channels in different languages are available through cable television, satellite and internet subscriptions.  To find television service providers, look in your telephone Yellow Pages under "Cable Television Systems" or "Satellite Receiving Equipment." 

In main centers of the province, local television and radio stations have local content in their programs.  In Saskatoon and Regina, FM community radio programs feature ethnic music and news for different cultural groups in Canada.  For example, Saskatoon community radio (CFCR FM 90.5) provides twenty hours a week of multicultural broadcasting.  Regina community radio (CJTR FM 91.3) carries programs in many languages and others with ethnic content including Spanish, Eritrean, Filipino, Persian and Chinese.

You can listen to these two stations and some other Saskatchewan radio stations on the Internet.  Saskatchewan Radio Stations Online

Several daily newspapers and over 90 weekly newspapers are published in Saskatchewan.  They are available by subscription if you pay to receive them.  In some communities, they are delivered to your door early in the morning and in others, put in your mail box.  

Other communities have free publications that are delivered to your mail box.  Many of them are mini-newspapers that list community events, feature local stories and advertise sales.  They can be great tools for practicing English.

Public libraries throughout Saskatchewan subscribe to many magazines which people can borrow free of charge. 

Some stores produce advertising in paper form known as "flyers."  If you do not wish to receive flyers in your mailbox, put a notice on your mailbox that reads "No Flyers" and they will not be delivered to you.