Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

How Purposeful Infrastructure Grows Our Economy

Shantel Lipp

Summer is here and construction is underway with crews working across the province on projects that are making transportation in this province better. 

Many Saskatchewan drivers travelling this summer are going to encounter you on the job. While we want them to think about your safety and drive responsibly through your work zones, we also want them to consider what projects governments choose to invest in and what those projects mean to our province’s economy and our quality of life.  

Across Western Canada, heavy construction associations continue to encourage governments to recognize the value of investing in trade infrastructure. We know it is not just our industry that values infrastructure and the role it plays in our economy. Those buying Saskatchewan commodities want to know that this province has the infrastructure to move what they are purchasing. Those who produce and move those commodities see how having quality, purposeful infrastructure that supports trade helps grow our economy, which generates revenues that support health care, education and social programming. That all contributes to the quality of life we enjoy in Saskatchewan and Canada.

To bring wider awareness to the importance of building and maintaining good infrastructure, which is key to our trade corridors, the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association is running a campaign. The voices of several industry and community leaders can be heard discussing the importance of investing in infrastructure as part of this campaign. You may have heard them during ads that ran on Rawlco Radio’s Newstalk radio stations.

We will also bring attention to their perspectives online, starting with this message, but in the weeks to come, you will find them on our website and social media platforms. I encourage you to share these social media posts with your network online to spread their words even further. The more people who see these posts, the more influence they develop, making this message about the value of investing in trade infrastructure part of important public conversations.

We have Susan Ewart, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association, who said, “Our province has a lot of what the world wants. Global demand for made-in-Saskatchewan products continues to grow every year. The trucking industry is responsible for delivering those products to the world and good roads make that happen. A long-term commitment to investing in transportation infrastructure is what will keep the growth going.” 

She is joined by Tony Playter, the CEO of the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce, who said, “Regina drivers may be a little frustrated now that road construction season is upon us. But having good infrastructure helps our business community operate, prosper and grow. By supporting local road builders to build and repair Regina roads, we keep those dollars in our community where everyone benefits. When our local businesses prosper, we all prosper.” 

Also from Regina is James Bogusz, the president and CEO of the Regina Airport Authority, who stated, “Demand for air travel is growing on a daily basis and Regina is no exception. Our airport is meeting the demand by investing in our infrastructure. This year, we are improving the major runway at Regina Airport that will allow us to grow and continue to connect to the world. A long-term commitment to investing in transportation infrastructure is what will keep the growth going in our city and our province.” 

Adding his perspective is Warren Steinley, Member of Parliament for Regina Lewvan, who explained, “In Saskatchewan, we manufacture and produce what the world needs. Last year, Saskatchewan agriculture exports were the largest on record with total international sales of $18.4 billion. What we produce here has to get to market.” 

To meet this goal, it is vital to maintain and grow our infrastructure needs. A long-term commitment to investing in transportation infrastructure is what will keep the province growing. If you have leaders in your region of the province who would like to contribute to this campaign, I would love to have a conversation with them about adding their voice. Please pass along their name and contact information and I will reach out to them about our efforts. 

by SHCA SHCA

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) remained fully funded within the targeted range in 2022, which means it can cover the future costs of all claims in the system.

“Under The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013, the WCB is legislated to have sufficient funds in our injury fund to cover current and future claim costs for injured workers. The range protects against unexpected claim activity or fluctuating economic conditions,” said WCB chair Gord Dobrowolsky. “This includes providing benefits and assistance such as earnings loss, physical and vocational rehabilitation, prevention initiatives and other obligations under the Act.”

The WCB remains fully funded, which means it remained within the targeted funding percentage range of 105 per cent to 120 per cent in 2022. The funding policy is currently under review to align with new accounting standards that will be effective for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2023.

The WCB also reported that the 2023 employer premium rates increased to $1.28, a five-cent increase from the 2022 rate of $1.23.

Financial highlights of the WCB’s 2022 results included:

  • Claim costs were $189.4 million in 2022, down from $336.2 million in 2021.
  • The WCB’s injury fund was at $436.0 million as of year-end 2022, compared to $549.4 million in 2021.
  • The WCB had premium revenues of $304.0 million in 2022 (up from $259.5 million in 2021) and an investment loss of $132.1 million in 2022 (compared to investment income of $254.1 million in 2021). Investment losses includes realized investment income of $98.0 million less $5.4 million for investment expenses, less a $230.1 million decrease in unrealized investment gains for the year.
  • The WCB covered 400,392 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers in 2022, compared to 392,813 in 2021.

Last year, the WCB advanced the second year of the major corporate initiative, the Business Transformation Program, which is a $150-million, multi-year investment. Through this initiative, the WCB is engaging customers, partners and WCB staff in this multi-year journey to implement the changes that it believes are necessary to meet customers’ expectations now and into the future.

“Our program involves improving customers’ experience and outcomes, updating, replacing or introducing new technologies, and improving our processes and approach to service delivery,” said WCB CEO Phillip Germain. “The ongoing transformation of our organization enables us to further enhance our business functions and better respond to the needs of our customers, who are the workers and employers of Saskatchewan.”

To support the WCB’s vision to eliminate injuries and restore abilities, the organization promotes workplace safety and injury prevention for workers and employers across the province.

“While we’ve seen some improvements in our injury rates over the last decade, there is still more for all of us to do,” said Germain.

Injury data highlights in 2022 included:

  • In 2022, 90 per cent of Saskatchewan workplaces reported zero injuries or fatalities for the third year in a row. Last year, 39 workplace fatalities were reported, up from 31 in 2021.
  • The workplace total injury rate in 2022 decreased to 4.33 injuries per 100 workers, representing a five per cent decrease from the 2021 total injury rate of 4.56 per 100 workers.
  • The 2022 Time Loss injury rate increased to 2.04 injuries per 100 workers, up 0.49 per cent from the 2021 rate of 2.03 injuries per 100 workers.

For a more detailed look at last year’s results, the WCB’s 2022 annual report is available at wcbsask.com/corporate-plans-and-annual-reports prior to its annual general meeting on May 30.

by SHCA SHCA

Another Busy Year for the Highway Hotline

It’s been another busy year for the Highway Hotline.

“The Highway Hotline is a lifeline to travelers in Saskatchewan,” Highways Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “Drivers get the latest information that allows them to make decisions to protect themselves, their families and other travelers on the road.”

The Hotline received 10.6 million website visits over the past year. That’s well above the typical number of visitors, but fewer than last year’s record, which was influenced by an unusual number of winter storm events.

The interactive Highway Hotline map gives drivers timely information about road conditions. It advises when roads are closed and when travel is not recommended. Last November, a new Highway Hotline smartphone app was launched, which gives travellers information on handheld devices. Saskatchewan’s Highway Hotline app is available at the Apple Store and on Google Play. It’s been downloaded more than 100,000 times since its launch.

Highway Hotline staff work closely with equipment operators across the province to ensure drivers have up-to-date and accurate information. The Hotline received nearly 675,000 hits during April’s spring storm that resulted in numerous highway closures in the province’s south and southeast.

The Hotline is not only for winter road conditions. During construction season, the Hotline gives drivers advance warning about construction zones. This information will help travellers make decisions to avoid delays such as leaving early or using an alternate route. 

The Hotline has links to nearly 50 cameras all over the province. These images allow travellers to see weather conditions for themselves and make better decisions. Check the Hotline as part of your pre-travel routine before every trip at saskatchewan.ca/highwayhotline.

by SHCA SHCA

CAA 2023 Top 10 Worst Roads!

From April 4 to 25, 2023, Saskatchewan road users including pedestrians, motorists, cyclists, transit riders and motorcyclists, nominated and voted for their worst, unsafe roads. The common safety concerns for worst, unsafe roads are crumbling pavement, potholes, lack of maintenance or repair, congestion, not enough signage and poor infrastructure.

Here are the CAA 2023 Top 10 Worst Roads:

  1. Saskatchewan 44, Eston
    Major problem: Potholes
  2. Saskatchewan 30, Eston
    Major problem: Potholes
  3. Coteau Street West, Moose Jaw
    Major problem: Potholes
  4. Highway 13: Redvers
    Major problem: Potholes
  5. Saskatchewan 5, Buchanan
    Major problem: Poor road maintenance (#5 in 2022 CAA Worst Roads campaign)
  6. Butte Street, Pilot Butte
    Major problem: Potholes
  7. Saskatchewan 9, Whitewood
    Major problem: Potholes
  8. Saskatchewan 123, Petaigan/Ravendale/Pemmican Portage
    Major problem: Potholes
  9. Highway 9, Hudson Bay
    Major problem: Potholes (#3 in 2022 and 2021 and #5 in 2018 CAA Worst Roads)
  10. Old Highway 35, White Fox
    Major problem: Potholes

A total of 292 roads were nominated and voted on during this year’s CAA Worst Roads campaign. These included roads and highways from across the province that have made CAA’s Worst Roads Top 10 list in previous years such as Saskatchewan 47 Springside (#2 in 2022 and #2 in 2018), 9th Avenue Southwest in Moose Jaw (#10 in 2022 and in 2018), as well as some new additions including Regina’s Connaught Street, Weyburn’s 1st Avenue Northeast, and Wanuskewin Road in Saskatoon. The collection of roads nominated and voted during this year’s campaign indicates that Saskatchewan road users are concerned about their safety while travelling on our roads and highways, with this year’s top 10 list indicating the roads that received the majority of the votes.

The CAA 2023 Worst Roads roving reporter stakeholder and road user interviews are on the CAA Saskatchewan YouTube channel and feature City of Saskatoon’s Todd Grabowski talking about improvements to Circle Drive, Mayor Clive Tolley from Moose Jaw, who provided insight on Moose Jaw’s 4th Avenue Viaduct, Ministry of Highways Assistant Deputy Minister Tom Lees, who addressed changes to Saskatchewan 155 La Loche, which was the #4 CAA Worst Road in 2022 and the #1 in the 2017 CAA Worst Roads, avid cyclist Sarah Bilawski, who shared her safety concerns, and City of Regina’s Kim Onrait on location in Regina’s Whitmore Park – home of two of the 2022 CAA Worst Roads, Grant Drive and Mayfair Crescent.

Weather conditions, age of the roads, heavy traffic and lack of maintenance can cause road deterioration. In cold climates like Saskatchewan, the freeze-thaw cycle plays a key role in creating potholes – a problem that occurs when temperatures regularly go above and below the freezing point. When rain or snow seeps through cracks and openings in the pavement, it freezes and expands, causing the pavement to heave upward. As temperatures rise, the ground underneath the pavement returns to its normal level, leaving a cavity or hole that breaks apart with continued road user traffic over the fractured pavement.

Saskatchewan is a landlocked province and has almost 250,000 km of roads, the highest length of road surface compared to any other province in Canada. These roads, often a lifeline for many residents, are used on a regular basis for business and leisure road travel and when these roads are allowed to deteriorate, road users pay the price.

CAA Saskatchewan is a dedicated safety advocate, and the CAA Worst Roads is an online engagement campaign aimed at drawing attention to our province’s worst, unsafe roads. This year’s top 10 list of worst roads will be distributed to government and business leaders in hopes of sparking conversation and action.

Working towards better roads and safety for all road users is a priority for CAA Saskatchewan.

Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Growing Our Economy

Shantel Lipp

I am seeing evidence that a conversation very important to our industry is being taken seriously by others in this province. I discussed in my President’s Message the report titled From Shovel Ready to Shovel Worthy: The Path to a National Trade Infrastructure Plan for the Next Generation of Economic Growth that was completed by the Canada West Foundation (CWF). 

We know this is a report that matters not just to our industry, but to our province, our entire country and the future. Saskatchewan people continue to hear announcements about private businesses increasing their production to meet the world’s needs. As the report explains, we need the world to have confidence that what Canada produces for export will be moved through the country efficiently and reliably so we, as a trading partner, are competitive globally. For more than a decade, those in the know have watched Canada spend money on projects that are ready for construction. Instead, a better use of that money would be to invest in projects that will provide a return on that spending by improving Canada’s supply chain competitiveness. 

The Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA) helped initiate the Shovel Worthy report, but it has been endorsed by several associations and organizations concerned with the current investment, the lack of coordination and planning on a long-term strategy as well as the state of the federal trade corridors fund. 

Many stakeholders were involved in the preparation and release of the report, and since then, they have been sharing why this report matters. A coalition of five national organizations – Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Construction Association, the CWF and the WCR&HCA – are approaching the three orders of government to advocate for a national building strategy to invest in Canada’s trade corridors, which will amplify trade-based economic growth. We hope their advocacy will persuade the federal government to commit to a national plan for trade corridor infrastructure in the budget year 2024. This would help Canada reinvest in the assets that have shaped our country – and can make our country even better going forward.

Restoring Canada’s global reliability reputation ranking is critical and will require leveraging a coordinated investment commitment of the municipal, provincial and federal government partnering with the private sector. That collaboration will be part of what Goldy Hyder of the Business Council of Canada will be delivering during his speech at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Business Conference at the end of May. 

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce represents the Saskatchewan business community and is known as the “Voice of Saskatchewan Business.” The theme of their2023 Conference is “Transportation and Infrastructure: Connecting Saskatchewan to the World.” The chamber says that those speaking at this event will address how we can unlock Saskatchewan’s transportation and infrastructure potential to position our province as a global supplier.

Hyder is going to speak about how Canada’s economy depends on reliable physical infrastructure to connect supply chains, enable people and goods to move freely, support millions of jobs, facilitate the energy transition and ensure that the economy continues to grow. 

Building new infrastructure in Canada has been made difficult – even though it does not need to be such a challenge. He will explain that governments must work with the private sector to expedite approvals for major, game changing, nation-building projects. The Shovel Worthy report makes the point that the private sector should be brought to the table as an ongoing contributor of sophisticated supply chain expertise and front-line operational experience to complement the best features of public-sector policy.

Also speaking at this conferenceis Highways Minister Jeremy Cockrill. He is expected to describe how being a landlocked province presents challenges – making a safe, reliable and sustainable transportation system essential if this province is to compete in the global marketplace. Knowing that the “Voice of Saskatchewan Business” values this province’s infrastructure enough to dedicate an event to discussing its importance is highly encouraging. Watch for a report on his speech, as well as Hyder’s, in the next issue of Think BIG magazine. 

Just last month, I applauded Cockrill for signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Manitoba and Alberta to strengthen the economic corridors between our provinces. That MOU focuses on four areas of cooperation between the three governments. First, improve efficiency of inter-provincial highway and rail networks. Second, encourage the federal government to fund infrastructure and national supply chain solutions. Third, keep their economies competitive and grow capital investment, and fourth, harmonize regulations to support businesses, industries and shippers. That relationship between Saskatchewan’s government and Alberta and Manitoba’s should encourage the province to look at what we have been promoting for our industry here. 

Those neighbouring governments are making three-year commitments, but we know provinces would see more value from five-year investments. That will provide the industry, as well as those supplying it, some certainty so you can develop even better business plans and make sound investment decisions. That way, you are even more efficient and productive. Those supplying the industry – including those in design and engineering, materials, fuels, aggregates, oils and equipment supply – would also be able to organize themselves better so they are prepared for the level of investment made by the government. 

But it’s about more than the industry. It’s about the economic growth in this province and the benefits that has for us living here.  When you invest in the infrastructure that will get what Saskatchewan produces to market more efficiently, our province becomes more competitive in the world – which means even more trade. That grows our economy so even more revenues can be generated to support areas such as healthcare, education and social programming to make Saskatchewan an even better place to live.

by SHCA SHCA

SHCA supports the memorandum of understanding between Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta

The Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA) commends the provincial government on signing the memorandum of understanding with Manitoba and Alberta to strengthen the economic corridors between our provinces.

“The Saskatchewan economy is dependent on trade and the demand for what we produce here increases every year,” said SHCA president Shantel Lipp. “Heavy construction plays a vital role in creating the infrastructure that moves our products to the world.”

The memorandum focuses on four areas of cooperation between the three governments:

  • Improve efficiency of inter-provincial highway and rail networks
  • Encourage the federal government for infrastructure funding and national supply chain solutions
  • Keep their economies competitive and grow capital investment and harmonize regulations to support businesses, industries and shippers

“While this memorandum is a step in the right direction, SHCA continues to encourage the
government of Saskatchewan to look at long-term funding commitments similar to Manitoba and
Alberta,” said Lipp. “Long-term commitments will help the industry plan for future growth, which will
contribute to meeting the goals set out in the memorandum.”

This fall, SHCA will be hosting the first-ever industry summit for Saskatchewan, bringing together contractors, suppliers, engineers and other professionals to discuss infrastructure and transportation. “This memorandum complements our industry summit as we will be looking at ways to improve our infrastructure to create better supply chain flow through our trade corridors,” said Lipp. “As well, we are hoping to have a tri-provincial panel at the summit to discuss how inter-provincial cooperation helps our industry meet the challenges of growth.”

The Industry Summit and Trade Show will take place from Nov. 29 to 30, 2023 in Regina. SHCA represents over 200 member businesses in the heavy construction industry in Saskatchewan.

Sunrise scene with sun rays over a county gravel road as wooden power poles and power lines stand along a ditch with natural prairie grasses in Rocky View County Alberta Canada.
by SHCA SHCA

Provincial Investments Important to Saskatchewan’s Hometowns

Provincial investments are important to improving the quality of life in Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, villages, resort villages and northern municipalities. 

With the release of the 2023-24 provincial budget, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) recognizes the province’s effort to improve the lives of Saskatchewan’s residents, particularly through increased funding for infrastructure and health services. 

SUMA is pleased to see an investment of $89.4 million to build, operate and maintain the transportation system in northern Saskatchewan. The additional $6 million for the preservation and maintenance of northern roads to support the province’s forestry industry will also help support economic development in Saskatchewan’s northern communities.

All of Saskatchewan’s hometowns will benefit from the record investment of more than $297 million in Municipal Revenue Sharing, a 13 per cent increase from the 2022-23 year. However, with more than 80 per cent of Saskatchewan’s population calling an urban municipality home, SUMA believes the funding allocations need to be adjusted to reflect where Saskatchewan’s population lives and works, while recognizing the greater cost of providing services in Saskatchewan’s northern municipalities. 

“Municipal Revenue Sharing helps fund the projects that matter most to our communities,” SUMA president Randy Goulden said. “As Saskatchewan’s population continues to move to our villages, towns and cities, we need to ensure the revenue sharing model recognizes that shift and enables our hometowns to provide and maintain the infrastructure and services residents expect.”

With a projected $1 billion surplus, SUMA is disappointed that PST will continue to be applied to municipal construction projects. While the increased Municipal Revenue Sharing is welcome news for Saskatchewan’s hometowns, municipalities will be returning a significant portion of the funding to the province through PST on municipal construction projects. Data gathered by SUMA showed that medium-sized cities in Saskatchewan returned 24 to 39 per cent of their total Municipal Revenue Sharing grant back to the province in the form of PST on municipal construction projects in 2021. 

“As costs continue to rise due to inflation, the percentage of Municipal Revenue Sharing that we return to the province in the form of PST on our municipal construction projects also continues to increase,” said Goulden. “We could do so much more in our communities if the funding stayed in our municipalities.” 

by SHCA SHCA

Second Strategy Looks to Continue Work in Reducing Fatalities and Serious Injuries in the Workplace

In 2019, WorkSafe Saskatchewan, a partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, launched the first three year Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy in an effort to help eliminate workplace fatalities and serious injuries.

WorkSafe Saskatchewan / Work to live.

In March, a new five-year strategy launched that focuses on two key streams of work that will be undertaken to reduce injuries and fatalities – a regulatory and enforcement stream, and a prevention and learning stream.

“Workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan said. “This new strategy continues to make working with stakeholders to eliminate workplace injuries and fatalities in our province a priority. Everyone deserves to come home safely at the end of the day.”

“Collaboration with stakeholders is critical to bringing our injury rate down,” WCB board chair Gord Dobrowolsky said. “Building on the work of the last strategy, we will continue to engage workers and employers in finding ways to keep all workers safe on the job.” Under this strategy, the three main priority workplace sectors of focus are:

  • Health care
  • Transportation
  • Construction

These industries were chosen due to the high-risk nature of their work. Approximately 2,400 Saskatchewan workers are seriously injured each year in Saskatchewan. Copies of the 2023-2028 Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy are available at www.worksafesask.ca.