Woman with safety goggles holding hammer at work bench
by SHCA SHCA

Outstanding Achievement in the Skilled Trades Honoured at the 2024 Apprenticeship Celebration Dinner

On Dec. 6, 2024, the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) celebrated outstanding achievement in the skilled trades at the 24th annual Apprenticeship Celebration Dinner.

Nearly 350 people attended this year’s event, sponsored by more than 30 organizations. Held at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina, the Apprenticeship Celebration Dinner brought together industry partners and stakeholders, training providers and employers who help build a successful apprenticeship system in Saskatchewan to recognize award winners and celebrate their achievements.

“Skilled tradespeople in Saskatchewan play an important role in building a growing province, and our government is committed to creating more skills training and education opportunities, as guided by the Saskatchewan Labour Market Strategy,” Deputy Premier and Immigration and Career Training Minister Jim Reiter said. “Congratulations to those being recognized tonight for their contributions to Saskatchewan’s apprenticeship and trade certification system.”

Thirty-one journeypersons who achieved the highest mark on their trade’s certification exams between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, received Outstanding New Journeyperson awards. Eleven additional awards issued by the SATCC included the First Nations and Métis Scholarship, the Scholarship for Journeypersons with Disabilities, the Outstanding Instructor and Employer awards and the Apprenticeship Lifetime Achievement Award. 

In addition to the awards from the SATCC, industry partners including training providers, industry associations, employers and unions also issued scholarships and awards recognizing the achievements of apprentices and journeypersons.

“We are proud to honour and recognize the people who demonstrate excellence in the skilled trades,” SATCC Commission Board Chair Bryan Leier said. “On behalf of the SATCC and the Commission Board of Directors, congratulations to all the award winners for your outstanding achievements that contribute to a strong and successful apprenticeship system in Saskatchewan.”

The SATCC will share event photos on its social media channels. Follow along on Facebook (@SaskApprenticeship), X (@SKApprentice) and Instagram (@skapprentice) or visit saskapprenticeship.ca/apprenticeship-celebration-dinner to learn more.

by SHCA SHCA

WCB Announces 2025 Preliminary Average Premium Rate

wcb | Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) announced the 2025 preliminary average employer premium rate will remain unchanged from the 2024 rate at $1.28 per hundred dollars of payroll. The announcement was made at the WCB’s annual preliminary rate information meeting with Saskatchewan employers, workers and stakeholders on Oct. 31.

“Year over year, the WCB aims to uphold a balance between stable rates and a fully funded compensation system,” said the WCB’s chair, Gord Dobrowolsky. “The two key drivers of the 2025 preliminary average premium rate are claim costs and payroll. While we are forecasting claim costs to increase, we expect these to be offset by rising employer payroll. This is why we are proposing the 2025 preliminary average premium rate remain at $1.28.”

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system based on collective liability, where all employers share responsibility for workplace injury insurance. Employers are grouped together to form an industry rate code. Premium rates are set for each rate code based on the collective claims experience of employers within each industry rate code. All employers within an industry rate code start with the same industry premium rate.

With the 2025 preliminary rate proposal:

  • The overall 2025 proposed average preliminary premium rate will remain at $1.28 per hundred dollars of payroll.
  • Industry premium rates for approximately 76 per cent of Saskatchewan’s employers covered by the WCB will see a decrease or no change for 2025.
  • Industry premium rates for approximately 24 per cent of Saskatchewan’s employers covered by the WCB will increase next year.

The WCB works to uphold a balance between stable rates that ensure fairness, transparency, collective liability and predictability, and a fully funded compensation system. 

“While we are proposing the 2025 preliminary average premium rate remain consistent with last year’s rate, we are seeing claims getting more costly, which coupled with inflation, is expected to put long-term upward pressure on premium rates,” said the WCB’s CEO, Phillip Germain. “By working together to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities in our province, we can help to minimize the impact of factors that are pushing premium rates upward.”

In 2024, the WCB completed an optimization of its investment strategy to improve the long-term expected return on its investments. Increased investment income benefits employers by reducing the premiums needed to operate the compensation system.

Additionally, employers can influence their individual premium rate through effective injury prevention and return-to-work programs. The degree to which employers in an industry work to eliminate workplace injuries also affects industry premium rates. Employers who have a fully functioning safety program and a solid return-to-work program can help prevent and manage work-related injuries.

In 2023, for the fourth year in a row, 90 per cent of employers in the province achieved zero injuries and zero fatalities in their workplaces. On an annual basis, serious injuries account for approximately 11 to 14 per cent of total claims and more than 80 per cent of claim costs in the system.

Over the coming months, WorkSafe Saskatchewan, the partnership between the WCB and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, will launch several programs designed to support employers and workers in making Saskatchewan the safest place in Canada to work. As part of its 2023-2028 Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy, these programs include several campaigns targeting rate codes with the highest injury rates.

“The WCB will continue to work to prevent work disability through active worker and employer contact, and collaborative return-to-work plans with workers, employers and health-care providers,” said Germain. “Through all of these efforts, we can work together to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities that significantly impact individuals, families and communities.”

Arm holding yellow hard hat against hip
by SHCA SHCA

Canada’s Construction Industry Welcomes Long Overdue Federal Leadership on the National Infrastructure Assessment

After four years on the shelf, the federal government announced the council appointed to deliver the National Infrastructure Assessment. This initiative has long been a cornerstone of the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) advocacy, with representatives recently raising awareness of the issue on Parliament Hill in November.

The newly-appointed Canadian Infrastructure Council will prioritize housing-enabling infrastructure like water, wastewater, public transit, active transportation and waste management. While this is a promising first step, more action is needed. Infrastructure demands across the country also include transportation and trade-enabling projects, which are vital to strengthening Saskatchewan’s economy and connecting communities.

“We are thrilled to see the federal government finally take leadership in addressing the need for a long-term plan for Canada’s infrastructure,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president. “While the scope of the council is incomplete, we do appreciate the government finally listening to the industry responsible for building Canada’s infrastructure.”

While the industry is overall pleased with the announcement, the newly-formed Canadian Infrastructure Council lacks clear industry and financial representation. CCA has long urged the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities to appoint an independent representative from the construction industry to the council. Failing to consult with those that build the infrastructure Canadians rely on, and those that finance it, will create significant challenges. Without this input, there will be a lack of understanding on key issues, limitations and opportunities that exist in building a strong and resilient Canada. 

CCA will continue to monitor the development and progress of the Canadian Infrastructure Council and welcome further consultation with industry and the federal government.

Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Post-Election Insights

Shantel Lipp

As most people know, election season in Saskatchewan has wrapped up. We experienced both a provincial and municipal vote within a two-week period. Once all the ballots were counted, Saskatchewan residents saw some significant changes to who their elected representatives are. 

The Saskatchewan Party was re-elected for an unprecedented fifth term, but with a stronger NDP opposition. Municipal elections for the most part saw a change of leadership in many of the cities and towns across the province. During the election period, the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA) was advocating hard on behalf of our industry to ensure that those running for public office were aware of the necessity of having good infrastructure to keep the province growing.  

Prior to the start of the campaign, SHCA had commissioned its own poll on what the priorities were for Saskatchewan residents. Respondents indicated that the top spending priorities should focus on health, education, cost-of-living and the economy. However, the next priority listed by those who were polled chose funding for infrastructure and road safety improvements. A majority of the respondents – 63 per cent – agreed that the government should be spending more on fixing the roads in the province. SHCA will continue to advocate to all levels of government the importance of infrastructure funding and how it is key to our economic wellbeing. 

Post-election, we saw a big change in the make-up of the provincial cabinet, with no pre-election ministers retaining their respective portfolio. SHCA is pleased to welcome back Minister David Marit to the portfolio of Highways. Marit previously held the post in 2016 and understands the challenges our industry faces. We also look forward to working with the new leaders elected in many of the municipalities across the province. Both Regina and Saskatoon elected new mayors to lead those cities and SHCA will engage with them and the other new municipal leaders on the issues that impact our industry at a local level. 

On Nov. 25, the newly-elected Saskatchewan Party government unveiled its Throne Speech, titled “A New Beginning.” To us, new beginnings are new opportunities. While change can bring uncertainty to some, our association looks forward to working with all of the newly-elected provincial and municipal members to build the infrastructure needed to keep our towns, cities and province growing.