by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Network Sees Huge Positive Response to Rapid Tests

This week, 18 chambers of commerce in Saskatchewan and several businesses began distributing rapid tests for individuals across the province.

“The response has been amazing. In Swift Current, they ran out of kits within 45 minutes and people are thrilled to finally have access to these important tools to aid in the fight against COVID-19. […] People have been expressing how appreciative they are to have access,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

The 18 local chambers of commerce and the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce will be distributing rapid tests over the next few weeks as supply and demand require. Additionally, 10 Canalta Hotels and the Market Mall in Saskatoon have also agreed to distribute kits.

Rapid tests will be given to households to help curb infection. The chambers are providing the distribution service at no cost to the province or residents and have based their current hours on anticipated supplies.

Hours may change in upcoming weeks depending on test availability. Chambers are only one avenue the provincial government and the Saskatchewan Health Authority are using to distribute the tests, with other community agencies stepping in to help across the province.

For more information on distribution hours and locations, visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/testing-information/rapid-testing

by SHCA SHCA

New Legislation Will Protect Contractors from Payment Delays

On March 1, 2022, The Builders’ Lien (Prompt Payment) Amendment Act, 2019 will be proclaimed into force.

“This government is committed to supporting the construction industry,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant. “These changes will ensure the prompt payment of contractors and subcontractors and will enable parties to resolve issues quickly and without added costs – which in turn will help projects move forward without delays.”

This new provincial legislation will protect and define the rights and obligations of owners, developers, contractors and subcontractors by establishing reasonable payment timelines for construction projects and introducing an interim adjudication process as an alternative to arbitration and litigation.

The payment timelines will mandate that owners and developers provide payment within 28 days of receiving a proper invoice for construction services. Contractors will have seven days to provide payment to subcontractors after receiving a payment from the owner or developer.

The new adjudication process under the Act will enable parties to seek interim resolution for disputed payments. It will be overseen by the Saskatchewan Construction Dispute Resolution Office (SCDRO), a not-for-profit corporation designated by the Minister to act as the official Adjudication Authority. The SCDRO will work with the ADR Institute of Saskatchewan Inc. to provide trained, independent adjudicators for disputes under the process.

These changes are similar to amendments recently introduced in several other Canadian jurisdictions, such as Ontario and Nova Scotia.

by SHCA SHCA

Brandt Completes Cervus Deal, Creates International Equipment Dealer Powerhouse

SHCA member Brandt Tractor Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Brandt Group of Companies, recently announced its successful acquisition of Cervus Equipment Corp., following a 97.66 per cent endorsement for the deal in an Oct. 12, 2021 vote by Cervus shareholders. The transaction sees publicly traded Cervus transition to 100 per cent private ownership in an all-cash deal.

The landmark transaction creates Canada’s largest-ever equipment dealer network, adding 64 agriculture, transportation and material handling equipment locations to Brandt’s existing John Deere Construction & Forestry dealerships across Canada. When fully integrated, it will give Cervus’ customers access to Brandt’s extensive national parts and technical support infrastructure. The purchase further establishes the firm’s position as a premier privately held Canadian company and the largest John Deere dealership in the world.

“The addition of Cervus’ branch network is a big win for customers in all of the affected markets,” said Brandt owner and CEO, Shaun Semple. “We’ve got a lot to offer and we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and earn the loyalty of our new customers through a combination of premium products and services and a consistent, high-quality customer support experience.”

With the acquisition of the Cervus locations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Brandt now owns and operates 120 full-service equipment dealerships with an additional 50 service points and employs over 5,100 people. The transaction will make a significant impact across the industry as the company rolls out plans to introduce expanded parts inventories, service department capacities and extended hours of operation at the former Cervus dealerships. As operations are integrated, staffing in these locations is expected to increase by up to 40 per cent with significant new facility construction across the entire network.

“Cervus staff, customers and their communities will all benefit from this acquisition through a stronger, more diversified network of support dealerships,” concludes Semple. “Brandt is fully committed to ongoing investment in business infrastructure and community enhancement; there is tremendous opportunity for everyone in this deal.”

The transaction officially closed on Oct. 22, 2021.

by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

SHCA Convention Postponed

There is a saying that anything worth having is worth the wait.

That’s definitely true of the SHCA Convention. You might have recently noticed receiving postcards with new spring dates for that event.

The new dates for the SHCA Convention are set for April 7–8, 2022. The convention will be held at the same place – the Delta Bessborough Hotel and Convention Center in Saskatoon – and the same speakers will be ready to present. I am also grateful our sponsors have agreed to carry forward their sponsorships into next year.

Since this event is being held in the spring, which is when SHCA’s annual general meeting is typically held, these two events will be combined. The AGM will be added to the agenda that will see us spending two full days discussing our industry, the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association and you, its members.

We will hear from two wonderful speakers – Darci Lang and retired Colonel Mark Gasparotto – during the convention.

Darci has discovered a solution to help each of us do our jobs, connect with the people who matter most and live our lives to the fullest. She is an award-winning entrepreneur, a professional speaker, a bestselling author, a blogger, a wife and a mom. She brings her message of “Focus on the 90%” to help others find the positives at work, rise above adversity and triumph in their lives.

Then there is Mark, who provides leadership solutions inspired by his two decades of military service. Mark is highly decorated, serving in key leadership roles in international hotspots such as Bosnia, Afghanistan and Haiti, doing everything from commanding small tactical units, to overseeing large, multinational peacekeeping operations.

Mark is passionate about self-reflection and personal development. He emphasizes results, teamwork and effective communications, which is how he was able to elevate to the upper ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces.

As always, the convention will wrap up with the Chairman’s Banquet. New at this convention is that the capacity for this event is set at a maximum of 300 delegates. That makes registering and booking your room early extra important.

If you had hotel rooms booked for the November dates, there is information on the postcards about what to do about rescheduling those dates. If you are still thinking about booking rooms and attending, I would encourage you to consider all that this type of event has to offer.

Events such as this convention allow us to gather, which helps each of us to reconnect to learn from one another and to share our experiences so we can recognize our successes and opportunities. It is also how we can determine where improvements are needed and how to address making those improvements. I look forward to all of you gathering in the spring to help develop and strengthen the voice of the association to benefit you, our members and your businesses.

by SHCA SHCA

Rowan’s Ravine Sees $10.7 Million in Road and Highways Improvements

One of Saskatchewan’s most popular provincial parks is seeing benefits from the Government of Saskatchewan’s $2 billion stimulus funding, thanks to $10.7 million in new paving and road improvements at Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park and the highways leading to it.

“Highways 322 and 220 are essential gateways to those traveling to Rowan’s Ravine and the surrounding area,” said Highways Minister Fred Bradshaw. “These improvements keep our roads safe so that families and visitors can enjoy their time in our parks.”

Work has been completed on Highway 322 from just north of the Glen Harbour access road to its junction with Highway 220, then on Highway 220 west to Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park. Numerous paving improvements have also been carried out inside the park, including paving of the Underwood campground loops, boat launch and day use parking lot.  

“This was an incredible season for Saskatchewan’s parks as families got out and rediscovered our province’s natural beauty,” said Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross. “I am grateful to Minister Bradshaw and the Highways Ministry for including park improvements in their work this summer.”

“COVID-19 has shown us that the best place to get away from it all is in our provincial parks,” said Last Mountain-Touchwood MLA Travis Keisig. “This infrastructure investment benefits all of Saskatchewan by getting people back to work and providing a better experience for all those who come and enjoy our parks.”

by SHCA SHCA

WCB Announces 2022 Preliminary Average Premium Rate

Last week, the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) announced the 2022 preliminary average employer premium rate at $1.23 per hundred dollars of payroll, compared to the 2021 rate of $1.17. The announcement was made Oct. 13 at the WCB’s annual preliminary rate information meeting with Saskatchewan employers, workers and stakeholders.

To help mitigate this increase in the 2022 preliminary average premium rate, the board will set the preliminary average premium rate at $1.23, which is below what the rate model is requiring at $1.25.

“While this is a rate increase, the decisions we have made have allowed us to continue to have among the lowest premium rates in Canada,” said the WCB’s CEO Phillip Germain. “The two key drivers of the 2022 average premium rate are claim costs and payroll. The positive downward trend in claims experience over the past several years is flattening out and, in some cases, reversing. While the number of injury claims has gone down, inflation in claims-related costs, like healthcare, are increasing faster than payroll. This has put upward pressure on our premium rates in 2021 and 2022.”

Despite this year’s increase, Saskatchewan’s premium rates are likely to continue to remain among the lowest rates in Canada behind Manitoba and Alberta.

In 2021, the average premium rate was held at $1.17, below the required $1.23, to help lift pressure on employers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not charging the required premium rate in 2021 and 2022 will save employers about $13.4 million in 2021 and $3.3 million in 2022. The 2022 preliminary average premium rate is the first increase to the average premium rate since 2004.

While 90 per cent of employers achieved Mission: Zero in 2020, the WCB has been advising employers over the last couple of years that they could expect to see increases in the Saskatchewan premium rates if serious injuries, fatalities and durations did not improve. For the past several years, serious injuries accounted for approximately 12 per cent of total injuries, but more than 80 per cent of compensation costs. Learn more about WorkSafe’s Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy at www.worksafesask.ca/prevention/serious-injuries-and-fatalities/.

“We recognize the difficult economic situation employers faced in 2020 and many are continuing to face in 2021 as we slowly begin to recover and adjust to the new pandemic norms,” said Germain. “Economic and investment market uncertainty, a consistent number of serious injuries and fatalities, and increasing healthcare costs are putting this pressure on premium rates. However, recent positive economic announcements in agriculture, construction, government and mining have signaled that 2022 is likely to be more positive than 2020 and 2021.”

With the 2022 rate proposal:

  • The overall 2022 proposed average employer rate will be $1.23 per hundred dollars of payroll.
  • Actual industry premium rates for approximately 95 per cent of Saskatchewan’s employers covered by the WCB will increase next year.
  • Actual industry premium rates for approximately five per cent of Saskatchewan’s employers covered by the WCB will see a decrease or no change for 2022.

Despite this increase in 2022, there are ways employers can influence their premium rates. Industry premium rates are affected by the degree to which employers in an industry are able to eliminate workplace injuries. In early 2021, the WCB launched its Business Transformation Program, which is focused on how the organization serves its customers and will transform every major aspect of the organization as it relates to the WCB’s people, processes and technology. Through the program, the WCB is working with customers, employers’ associations, labour organizations and safety associations to further reduce durations and serious injuries, as well as improve customer service. With a fully functioning safety program and a solid return-to-work program, employers can help prevent and manage work-related injuries. 

“With 90 per cent of employers achieving Mission: Zero in 2020, it’s evident that Saskatchewan workers and employers are focusing their attention on safety efforts and creating safer workplaces in the province,” said the WCB’s chair Gord Dobrowolsky. “But we know there is still more work to be done to eliminate fatalities, injuries and suffering. As the economy continues to ramp up, let’s all focus on getting this work done on time, on budget and without injuries.”

by SHCA SHCA

Meet in Maui 2022

Save the date!

The Road Builders of the West are heading back to Maui and you’re invited! Meet in Maui 2022 Conference will be taking place at the Wailea Beach Resort in Maui, Hawaii, Feb. 6–10, 2022. 

Registration will be opening soon. Click here for more information about the Meet in Maui conference!

by SHCA SHCA

SUMA Convention 2022: Connect

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) is excited to announce the return of its in-person convention for 2022 – with a bit of a twist. 

The SUMA Board of Directors approved the Convention Planning Committee’s proposal to move convention from February to April for 2022 and beyond.

Convention 2022 will be held in Regina from April 3–6. 

The 2022 SUMA Convention will be a full in-person event, with the theme Connect. Connect with your council, connect with your peers, connect with SUMA, connect with vendors at our Municipal Marketplace, and connect with provincial leaders.

For more information and to book your hotel room, click here.