by SHCA SHCA

WCB Approves 2023 Premium Rates

WCB Logo

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has approved the 2023 average employer premium rate of $1.28 per hundred dollars of payroll. This is an increase of 4.1 per cent from the 2022 rate of $1.23. 

“Although we have increased our 2023 average premium rate by five cents, our rate is still among the lowest rates in Canada,” said the WCB’s chair, Gord Dobrowolsky. “The primary drivers of the 2023 premium rate are claim costs and payroll. We are continuing to see increasing long-term claim costs, which we are forecasting to rise at a faster rate than employer payrolls in 2023. This is reflected in our premium rates.”

For the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, the WCB adjusted the average premium rate to help lift pressure on employers. The 2022 average premium rate was $1.23, below the required rate of $1.25, and the 2021 average premium rate was held at $1.17, below the required rate of $1.23. By not charging the required premium rate in 2021 and 2022, employers saved $14.0 million in 2021, and they are expected to save another $4.8 million in 2022.

“We are legally required to be fully funded. The WCB’s funding policy indicates a range of between 105 per cent and 120 per cent funded to cover the costs of current and future claims,” said the WCB’s CEO Phillip Germain. “The 2023 rate increase ensures we will be able to maintain our funded position.”

Industry premium rates are affected by the extent to which employers in an industry can eliminate workplace injuries. Employers who have a fully functioning safety management system and a solid return-to-work program can help prevent and manage work-related injuries.

In 2021, 90 per cent of employers achieved zero injuries and zero fatalities. The WCB has been advising employers over the last several years that Saskatchewan premium rates could increase if serious injuries, fatalities and claim durations did not improve. From 2015 to 2021, serious injuries accounted for 11.0 per cent of injuries and 82.4 per cent of costs in Saskatchewan’s workers’ compensation system.

“Collaboration with our stakeholders is critical to understanding industry needs and delivering sustainable injury prevention outcomes. By working together, we can help bring our injury rates down and keep all workers safe on the job,” said Dobrowolsky. “As we head into 2023, let’s strengthen our efforts to complete our work on time, on budget with no injuries.”

by SHCA SHCA

Highway 3 Twinning Project Complete Near Prince Albert

Nov. 25 marked the official grand opening of a $21.4 million twinning project on Highway 3. Premier Scott Moe was on hand to mark the occasion near Prince Albert. The busy highway connects communities northwest of Prince Albert, including Shellbrook.

“With the significant growth across our industries, this is an important infrastructure investment,” Premier Moe said. “Not only that, it’s also an important investment into the safety of the thousands of people who travel it every day.”

The 7.5-kilometre twinning project will run from the junction of Highway 2 to the Shell River bridge. The four-lane highway includes a concrete median barrier in the centre of the road, which will reduce the potential for intersection collisions.

“Highway safety is a priority for our government and this investment demonstrates that commitment,” Highways Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “These improvements will reduce the potential for serious collisions on Highway 3.”

Speeds will be reduced because of the concrete median barriers, including a 70 km/hr speed from the Nordale Access to the city limits and 90 km/hr to the Shell River Bridge.

The Highway 3 safety improvements are in addition to a $9.1 million passing lane project which was completed last fall between Shellbrook and the Shell River Bridge. The six passing lanes opened in October 2021.

by John Mark Aquino John Mark Aquino

Rapid Employee Upskilling & Reskilling

There’s a shortage of skilled workers in Canada. A shrinking talent pool, lack of quality skills training programs and youth reluctant to enter the skilled trades are some of the factors creating a shortfall with no end in sight.

Canada West Foundation (CWF) proposes an innovative solution to help employers build the workforce they need now and in the future. CWF’s latest What Now? brief, Rapid Employee Upskilling and Reskilling, provides principles upon which to build on-the-job skills training programs that meet the needs and interests of employers and job seekers.

Download the brief here.

WCRHCA Stonger Together Conference poster
by SHCA SHCA

Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association Conference: REGISTER TODAY!

The WCR&HCA Stronger Together Conference is taking place in beautiful Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort from Feb. 5–9, 2023.

Take a well-deserved time-out from Canadian winter and join hundreds of delegates in paradise in February. Network with peers, hear presentations and insights from industry leaders and take in the beautiful Hawaiian surroundings. This is an event not to miss.

Register today!

by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Fighting for Industry Every Year

Shantel Lipp

The end of 2022 is within sight. I am proud of all we accomplished this year, and I am looking forward to making more progress in the upcoming year.

This year, I recognized we need to continue to help others fully understand our industry. Those we work with need to continuously hear from us to better understand our members, the contributions you make and the challenges you face. 

For example, the City of Regina put forward a motion about local procurement and economic recovery. In that motion was a fair wage policy for all construction, maintenance and service contracts. I made a submission on behalf of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association explaining the implications of such a policy and I asked questions that showed the kinds of challenges such a policy would create. 

Knowing how we attract and compensate employees, the qualifications of those employed in the industry as well as how our members work with a general contractor were just some of the points I made in my submission. In the end, the motion was defeated, but I recognize it was a good opportunity to help a level of government understand what businesses like yours need to be successful working with them. 

Another example of how I worked to ensure governments and others better understand our industry to improve their relationship with members is the work I did with the Ministry of Highways to develop adjustments to the fuel escalation clause. 

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Highways presented some proposed adjustments to the fuel escalation clause. That proposal was reviewed, and several members provided additional improvements they would like to see added. I brought forward their requests and provided actual figures and examples of how our industry has been impacted by the price of diesel fuel climbing. Ultimately, after some back and forth, updates were made and included in fall tenders.  

On a broader scale, we are working with other heavy construction associations in Western Canada to draw attention to the need for Canada to invest in its trade infrastructure. We were part of the release of a report From Shovel Ready to Shovel Worthy that was produced by the Canada West Foundation. That report encourages both the federal and provincial governments to plan their investment more strategically in infrastructure that supports the movement of goods and people through and far beyond our country. 

It is important that we continue to raise the profile of our industry by explaining the work that we do, how that work gets completed and how that work contributes to improving our province and country. When we can help others recognize the significance of the work being done by our industry, we can not only benefit our members, but we can also improve what is possible in our province and country because of what members like you build. This is what makes me proud of the role I hold and the work that I do on your behalf. 

You’ve worked hard through this year and now, with the construction season done for the year and the next one still months away, I hope you have an opportunity to rest and recover – and maybe even escape the cold – to get back at it once winter fades away. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and all the best in the new year, when I look forward to getting back to work to make even more progress on your behalf.