A confident woman standing in a construction setting, wearing a white hardhat, symbolizing competence and professionalism in the construction industry.
by SHCA SHCA

Empowering Safe Workplaces: CCA and WomanACT Join Forces to Tackle Harassment in STEM and Trades

The Safe STEM Workplaces project is a collaborative effort between WomanACT and the Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology (SCWIST) aimed at fostering safe and harassment-free workplaces, particularly within the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and trade sectors.

The project, funded by the Department of Justice, seeks to enhance prevention and response measures for gender-based and sexual harassment. It directly confronts harassment in workplaces, especially affecting women, with the goal of reducing stress, enhancing productivity and retaining women in these industries. This program could not be possible without the involvement of employers such as the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), Chandos Construction, TandemLaunch and EllisDon, which are among many employers dedicated to nurturing respectful and secure work environments.

WomanACT and SCWIST have partnered with CCA to launch a transformative micro-lesson training series. This dynamic initiative, available through CCA partner associations to CCA integrated members at no cost, aims to reshape workplace cultures and eliminate gender-based and sexual harassment within workplaces. The micro-lesson series offers an interactive training program encompassing essential concepts, practical strategies and actionable steps. Participants will delve into trauma-informed practices, procedural fairness, equity, as well as the nuances of gender, sexual orientation and harassment, and will receive a certificate upon completion. The series empowers participants to foster accountable workplace cultures, implement preventative measures and respond effectively to incidents.

“Our partnership for the Micro-Lesson Training Series with CCA signifies more than collaboration; it signifies our shared commitment to reshape workplaces,” said Harmy Mendoza, executive director of WomanACT.“We’re writing a story where harassment has no place, and equality and respect thrive.”

The Micro-Lesson Series epitomizes the synergy achieved through cross-sectoral partnerships. CCA’s commitment to cultivating a culture of respect and safety aligns seamlessly with the shared objectives of WomanACT and SCWIST. 

“The construction sector continues to invest in an inclusive and respectful workplace. We are delighted to offer this training to our member firms through our integrated partner associations across Canada,” said Mary Van Buren, CCA president.

A vibrant illustration showcasing remarkable growth, with flourishing plants and expanding branches symbolizing progress, prosperity, and achievement.
by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan Sees Remarkable Growth in Construction Investment

In early January, Statistics Canada reported significant growth in Saskatchewan’s building permits. The total value of building permits in the province reached $249 million in November 2023 (seasonally adjusted). This is an 83.9 per cent increase from November 2022, and the highest increase in all of Canada. Saskatchewan also experienced notable month to month growth, showing an increase of 19.3 per cent compared to October 2023.

“Continued strength in building permits showcases our province as the prime location for construction and investment across the nation,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “These figures demonstrate the confidence that individuals and businesses have in making real and tangible long-term investments in our province. It is a reflection of the stability and strength of our investment climate that we have worked hard with our partners and stakeholders to create.”

These figures build on Saskatchewan’s strong economic performance. Most recently, Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey showed employment in Saskatchewan reached a record 600,200 in December 2023, adding 22,100 full time jobs year-over-year. This ranked Saskatchewan second among the provinces in terms of percentage change at 3.8 per cent. Saskatchewan ended the year with a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.0 per cent, below the national average of 5.8 per cent. 

According to Statistics Canada, wholesale trade has also increased by 22.9 per cent in October 2023, when compared to October 2022 (seasonally adjusted). The total value of wholesale trade for October 2023 is nearly $5.7 billion. Investment in building construction continues to grow, reaching $493 million for October 2023.

Building permits are the dollar value of construction permits for residential and non-residential buildings.

Jack Brodsky has been named CTV Saskatoon’s 2023 Citizen of the Year for his decades of work as a community builder who made a difference in the lives of countless youths
by SHCA SHCA

Jack Brodsky Named CTV Saskatoon’s 2023 Citizen of the Year

Jack Brodsky has been named CTV Saskatoon’s 2023 Citizen of the Year for his decades of work as a community builder who made a difference in the lives of countless youths

An SHCA board member was named CTV Saskatoon’s 2023 Citizen of the Year for his decades of work as a community builder who has made a difference in the lives of countless youths. Jack Brodsky, who has lived in Saskatoon since he was four years old, is a graduate of Aden Bowman Collegiate Institute.

In 1978, he became a certified engineering technologist though Saskatchewan Polytechnic. In the following years, Brodsky learned the family construction business while also learning the importance of giving back to the community. He was a co-owner of the Saskatoon Blades from 1976 to 2013 and was instrumental in developing a scholarship program for graduating Western Hockey League players. He’s also volunteered for many organizations and has served on multiple boards.

Read the next issue of Think BIG magazine this spring to learn more about Brodsky’s commitment to the construction industry and his community.

Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

SHCA’s Plans for 2024

Shantel Lipp

The start of a new year is a time to consider how we want to improve our situation. Whether it is your own personal life or your professional endeavours, it is a good time to initiate what is necessary to inspire change that will make a difference. 

Getting where we want to go is not something we can typically do on our own. We often need others to join in our activities and support us if we are to achieve change that matters. That is true in your role – as a business owner or an employee – and it is true in mine and each of our board members’ as well. We must work with others and dedicate the time and effort necessary to move toward realizing that vision together. 

At the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA), change is often discussed and as the voice of the industry. We have plenty to say about the changes needed in Saskatchewan to support our economy remaining strong. I promised in my last message published in “The Interchange” that I would have more to share about how SHCA will be speaking out about how Saskatchewan is not keeping up. That applies to long-term planning, infrastructure funding and government policy renewal.

Through the year, SHCA will be very active, speaking up about what matters to our members and our province. Now that 2024 is underway, the board and I are preparing for how this year will unfold so that we optimize when we deliver important messages not only to those in government, but all who will be running in this year’s elections as well as voters. We have an MLA reception scheduled for SHCA on March 4. This event is your opportunity to speak directly to the MLAs to fill them in on the industry’s strengths and challenges, and describe how government impacts you positively and negatively. 

Saskatchewan’s budget is typically delivered that same month, so we will be watching closely to see what it contains as it relates to our members and the work available to you. We are looking for the government to show it understands the need for long-term infrastructure planning and funding, including multi-year commitments as seen in our neighbouring provinces. We also want to see changes to procurement practices and greater transparency. 

Between now and then, we will continue to speak up about employment opportunities in our industry. Finding those who would be a good fit for jobs you need filled is a challenge, even though heavy construction employers are known to be one of the better paying employers in the province – statistically second only to the mining sector. I know that when hiring, you often see attitude as being more important than experience and that employers in our industry are often willing to train, seeing that training is an investment to secure the employees you need. We will be promoting the reasons why those looking for a new employment opportunity should consider heavy construction for their future. 

This will help build what the province requires so people and goods can move through and beyond our province. We know other industries are as interested as we are in seeing Saskatchewan maintain and build infrastructure that meets the level of growth in the province. We will be finding ways to deliver that message together with them. 

An opportune time to deliver that message will be ahead of the elections that will take place in Saskatchewan later this year, which is an election year for the province as well as in municipalities, so we will be seeing politicians campaigning later this year. The first election is the provincial election, which is to be held on or before Oct. 28, 2024. Not long after, those voting for mayors and councillors in urban municipalities as well as reeves and councillors representing odd-number divisions in rural municipalities will go to the polls on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. 

As I said at the beginning of this message, we want to improve our situation, and by our situation, I mean more than our industry’s situation. What we are bringing forward is important beyond those in heavy construction. It matters to our province’s fate. It is significant to many industries that contribute to our economy and its strength. It impacts the future prosperity of our province and its people as well as the services they rely on for their quality of life. 

I also said getting where you want to go requires others to join in. Our members can help to amplify the messages our association is delivering. I encourage you to actively participate in SHCA’s activities this year and to share the messages we will be delivering so they reach every corner of our province. Keep an eye on our website and follow our social media accounts for updates on all we have planned and will undertake this year.