Rows of colourful toy houses
by SHCA SHCA

Industry Calls for Meaningful Investment as Housing Takes Centre Stage in Budget 2024

Rows of colourful toy houses
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The federal government’s housing strategy is a long-awaited step forward to build more homes, but significantly more investment is needed to address critical infrastructure needs and the housing crisis, says Canada’s construction industry.

The federal government’s plan announced in this budget, as well as actions taken through the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, promises at least 1.2 million more homes for Canadians, on top of what the industry was planning to build. Yet, with estimates by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities showing that each new housing unit requires $107,000 in public infrastructure investment, an additional $128 billion is needed to build, support and connect these homes to essential housing-enabling infrastructure. This is a major shortfall in the investment needed. Moreover, the focus on measures to ease lending for homebuying and rezoning may only serve to exacerbate demand in the long-term with no real long-term vision on how to increase supply. 

“Budget 2024 sets a bold objective to help Canadians buy homes but misses the mark on delivering sufficient investment and a plan to ensure a steady flow of funds to address our nation’s infrastructure challenges,” said Mary Van Buren, president of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA).

“While we acknowledge some initiatives, such as funding for creating affordable apartments, training and recruiting more workers, and upgrading water and wastewater systems, the conditions attached and lack of strategic vision are concerning.”

With growing demands to not only build more homes but also the inevitable requirement for the necessary housing-enabling infrastructure to connect these homes to the services they need, CCA says the urgency to collaborate with provinces, municipalities and the industry is more pressing than ever.

“We need investments in infrastructure that are made based on the real needs of Canadians – projects that are shovel-worthy rather than just shovel-ready,” said Van Buren. “This visionary and consultative approach is what Canadians deserve.”

Canada’s construction industry underscores the urgent need for the federal government to implement policies and incentives that support not only housing construction and related essential infrastructure, including trade-enabling infrastructure, but also investment and help bypass construction’s boom and bust cycle. This includes programs to build the workforce needed and construction projects that share risk so that innovation and investment is encouraged, not hampered.

CCA calls for a shift in federal strategy when it comes to infrastructure investment and housing affordability – one that aligns all orders of government and equips the construction industry with a supportive policy environment. Canada’s construction industry stands ready to collaborate with all levels of government and stakeholders to address these critical challenges and build a better future for all Canadians.

Shantel Lipp - SHCA President
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Takeaways from SHCA’s Spring Meeting & AGM

Shantel Lipp - SHCA President

One of the best parts of my job as president is interacting with the many members of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA).

Heavy civil construction is filled with dedicated, hard-working and passionate individuals who take great pride in a job well done. While some outside of our industry might think heavy construction is only about paving, we know there is so much more happening when we look at the work done by our membership. That is why we use the tagline, “If the Earth moved, it was us.”

The scale of the infrastructure developed and maintained by our members is tremendous. These projects often have long timelines, complex engineering requirements and significant environmental considerations. Highways, roads and parking lots are just a few examples of public infrastructure improvements that SHCA members complete.

Other heavy civil construction projects include excavating and preparing sites for commercial and industrial sites or subdividing land into individual lots for homes. There are those who do underground utility work and some who tackle water infrastructure, such as water diversion tunnels, water and sewer lines, water drainage and irrigation ditches and bridges. 

SHCA President Shantel Lipp
SHCA Conference

We welcome contractors, suppliers, engineers and other professionals as members. They are designing and planning, supplying materials and equipment, and constructing structures that are cost effective while maintaining the flow of public operations and delivering results that will benefit people for decades to come. There are also those whose financial expertise and legal proficiency are necessary for contracts to be developed and proceed. Other professionals are responding to tenders, doing payroll, processing payments and conducting other administrative work necessary to keep our members’ businesses running.

The work of our members supports other major sectors of Saskatchewan’s economy, including the transportation, agriculture and energy sectors. Many recent projects that have proceeded in Saskatchewan began with the work of SHCA members.

SHCA members can be found at sites where canola crush plants are developed, where mines need access roads and haul roads, at airports where runways are being improved and much more. These are just a few examples of how our industry supports the evolving infrastructure needs and economic growth of Saskatchewan in ways that go beyond building, widening and improving highways.

What’s the big deal? All of this work and all of these people are an immensely big deal – not just to our association, but to our province and its prosperity. I am mentioning all of this because I know there are others out there doing this vitally necessary work who would benefit from being an SHCA member. 

We want to welcome more of them into the association. We are developing even more ways to provide additional resources and deliver greater value to our existing membership, which I feel confident will appeal to new members as well.

Growing our membership and reviewing our members’ return on investment were two of the priorities set by the SHCA board at its April meeting. Another priority is to work with other industries to deliver messages to the voters, candidates and parties about the importance of adequate investment in the critical infrastructure needed by our province to create more opportunities in Saskatchewan.

We will work to deliver this message as we head towards a fall provincial election. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Saskatchewan has a big job ahead of it. Getting on top of it will take someone speaking up to say we need to do better. That someone will be us – SHCA, representing members who continue to better Saskatchewan. We encourage SHCA members to like SHCA on Facebook or LinkedIn to follow this advocacy as it unfolds.

by SHCA SHCA

Help SHCA Help You – and Saskatchewan Communities

Stay up to date with SHCA events, happenings, industry news and other announcements. Follow SHCA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube. And if you received this edition of The Interchange from a colleague who forwarded it to you, don’t forget to subscribe by visiting www.saskheavy.ca – that way, you’ll never miss updates that are important to you and your business.

Go one step further and tag SHCA and Shantel Lipp, SHCA president, in your social media posts. This will help SHCA market your company and share your news and updates with our followers. Encourage the communities you stay in to tag your company and SHCA in their online communications, too – we want to show the province the undeniable economic ripple our industry creates!

If you have anything that you would like SHCA to share on your behalf on social media, in The Interchange or on www.saskheavy.ca – whether it’s a project update, staff event, fundraisers, job announcements or postings, big announcements or more – send an email to the SHCA office and we’ll help you get the word out.

Witness the harmonious coexistence of a yellow construction helmet, pencils, and drawings as they rest on a table. This image reflects the artistic aspect of the construction industry, highlighting the importance of creativity in the field.
by SHCA SHCA

Company Fined $70,000 for Serious Workplace Injury

On March 13, 2024, Sunterra Horticulture (Canada) Inc. pleaded guilty in Yorkton Provincial Court to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.

The company was fined for contravening clause 3-1 (a) of the regulations (being an employer at a place of employment, fail to provide and maintain plant, systems of work and working environments that ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of the employer’s workers, resulting in the serious injury of a worker). As a result, the Court imposed a fine of $50,000 with a surcharge of $20,000, for a total amount of $70,000.

One additional charge was withdrawn.

The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on September 16, 2021, near Hyas, Sask., where a worker was seriously injured while attempting to dislodge a pallet and bale of peat moss.

Increasing heap of coins stacking with up arrow graph and pink piggy bank , Money saving and deposit for investment to get profit and dividend concept.
by SHCA SHCA

SARM Responds to the 2024-25 Provincial Budget Announcement

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), alongside their member RMs, emphasizes both highlights and concerns regarding rural communities across the province in this year’s provincial budget.

“Today’s budget includes many priorities that our members have been asking for, although not perfect, we feel items in this budget go a long way to support our RMs and the people who live in rural Saskatchewan,” said Ray Orb, SARM president.

SARM is pleased with the increase, recognizing that RMs are a key component in driving Saskatchewan’s economy.

“More funding is always welcome, RMs have a major responsibility to provide a level of service and infrastructure expected by the major sectors driving Saskatchewan’s economy,” said Orb.

The municipal revenue sharing model is unique to Saskatchewan and SARM is pleased with the increased dollars being invested by the province. This funding goes a long way to supporting RMs in the future.

Agriculture is the backbone of rural Saskatchewan and SARM is pleased with the record investment in the Ministry of Agriculture this year. Key asks from SARM, such as increased Business Risk Management program funding, increased investment in weather stations for data collection and the commitment to irrigation are all being addressed. SARM supports the direction the province is taking in these critical areas.

As stated in the lead up to SARM’s annual convention, SARM has been advocating for the launch of the water management infrastructure known as the Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Project. This project has been in the making for a long time and will positively impact RMs into the future, increasing crop diversity and farm profitability through irrigation.

SARM is appreciative of the province’s investment of $20 million and commends their commitment to this transformational project. 

“We appreciate the government’s recognition of the importance of this project,” said Orb. “Irrigation is a key component to economic growth in rural Saskatchewan and this project will go far in supporting that.”

The competition to attract and retain qualified medical professionals is particularly fierce. As the pressure on urban health care facilities increases, there is an equally dire need to support, maintain, and grow rural health care programs.

It will take a collaborative partnership with the government, along with health care partners, to create a wholesome, informed and triaged approach to ensure the people living in rural Saskatchewan receive the health service and care they deserve.

The funding towards rural recruitment and nurse practitioners is something that SARM members have been asking for. These steps in the budget are encouraging in the path towards proper rural health care.

Funding for rural road and bridge infrastructure is imperative for RMs to continue to provide key economic sectors with a strategic transportation network that is effective and well maintained.

While there is a modest increase in Rural Integrated Roads for Growth funding, the challenges and expenses of maintaining critical rural infrastructure continue to rise and there are concerns regarding the level of investment in vital services such as roads and infrastructure. With the current inflation and the vast inventory of rural infrastructure, RMs will require stronger support going forward. SARM will continue to ask for more funding to allow RMs to renew and maintain rural roads.

“While we recognize the challenges in balancing various priorities within budget constraints, we urge the government to ensure RMs have sufficient funding to maintain critical rural infrastructure across the province,” Orb said. 

Moreover, SARM emphasizes the need for continued collaboration between the provincial government and RMs to address ongoing issues such as agricultural sustainability, health care, rural policing and rural infrastructure investments.

Asian young teen happy worker checking stock in shipping port work manage import export cargo containers.
by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan Invests $248,000 Toward Women in Trades

Asian young teen happy worker checking stock in shipping port work manage import export cargo containers.

At the end of March, the Government of Saskatchewan announced a partnership with Women Building Futures to support the Journey to Trades pre-employment program that will provide women with the skills they need to start their careers in the construction trades and embark on apprenticeship.

“This investment in skills training will further support Saskatchewan’s Labour Market Strategy by ensuring residents have every opportunity to benefit from the jobs our rapidly growing economy is creating,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “This partnership with Women Building Futures will provide the opportunity for women to gain first-hand experience in the skilled trades and take advantage of the in-demand jobs being created in the construction and maintenance industries.”  

The Ministry of Immigration and Career Training is investing $248,000 into the Journey to Trades program, which will support 18 participants over the next year. The program takes place in Regina and will run for 12 weeks. Students will take part in classroom learning and receive hands-on skills development that will enable them to gain employment in entry level positions. 

“At Women Building Futures, we recognize the need to eliminate barriers for women and under-represented groups, so they can get into resilient careers that pay higher than a living wage,” Women Building Futures President and CEO Carol Moen said. “We help them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed and then connect our graduates with industry partners who nurture safe, equitable workplaces for women. With this investment, we are excited to grow our impact in Saskatchewan, supporting more unemployed and underemployed women on their paths to economic security.”

The Journey to Trades program will be delivered through Women Building Futures, an organization that empowers women to explore careers by providing training and supports. This collaboration provides women in the skilled trades with skills training and work experience.

The safety helmet on a wooden table, Generative AI illustration
by SHCA SHCA

WCB Releases 2023 Provincial Workplace Injury Statistics

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) released the 2023 provincial workplace injury statistics in mid-March. The total injury rate for 2023 was 3.95 per 100 workers, an almost nine per cent decrease from 2022. From 2009 to 2023, the WCB’s Total injury rate has decreased by 57.62 per cent. The 2023 Total injury rate is the lowest in the province’s recorded history. 

“Through the WorkSafe Saskatchewan partnership with the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, as a province, we are on the right track as we see our total and Time Loss injury rates continue to come down,” said Gord Dobrowolsky, chair of the WCB. “This is thanks to the combined efforts of workers, employers, our safety associations, safety leaders across the province and labour, including the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and the Saskatchewan Building Trades. But even one injury is too many, so there is still much to do to ensure that every worker in Saskatchewan is able to come home safely at the end of the day.” 

For the fourth year in a row, 90 per cent of Saskatchewan workplaces had zero fatalities and zero injuries last year. In addition to the total injury rate decrease in 2023, the Time Loss injury rate also dropped to 1.78 per 100 workers. This represents a decrease of 12.75 per cent from the 2022 rate of 2.04 per 100 workers. 

“An almost 13 per cent decrease in the Time Loss injury rate is certainly significant for 2023,” said WCB CEO Phillip Germain. “While we are moving in a positive direction, we all need to continue prioritizing workplace safety to drive our rates even lower.” 

Saskatchewan’s Time Loss injury rate is fourth among Canadian provinces. 

“We believe every workplace incident is preventable, and serious injuries represent approximately 11 to 14 per cent of our total claims,” said Germain. “Serious injuries account for more than 80 per cent of our claim costs in the province’s compensation system each year. We will not rest until Saskatchewan records no workplace fatalities and the lowest serious injury rate in Canada. We believe we are on the right track to get there.” 

Last year, WorkSafe Saskatchewan, a partnership between the WCB and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, launched the 2023-2028 Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy. Building on the success of the first strategy, this document lays out a new approach to fatalities and serious injuries in Saskatchewan’s workplaces. The strategy is a multi-year plan that uses customer feedback and engagement, as well as claim and injury data. It outlines two key streams of work from the WCB and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety to reduce serious injuries and fatalities – a regulatory and enforcement stream, and a prevention and learning stream. 

“The WorkSafe Saskatchewan partnership is committed to continuing to bring our injury and fatalities rates down and keeping all workers safe on the job,” said Germain. 

In 2023: 

  • Total claims accepted decreased by 6.80 per cent to 16,143 from 17,321 in 2022. The total number of workers covered increased to 409,158 in 2023 from 400,392 the previous year. 
  • Accepted No Time Loss claims decreased to 8,870 in 2023 from 9,156 in 2022. 
  • Accepted Time Loss claims (excluding current-year fatalities) decreased to 7,256 from 8,148 in 2022. 

There were 29 workplace fatalities in 2023 compared to 39 in 2022. This is a decrease of 25.64 per cent. These deaths occurred in a variety of Saskatchewan industries. Of the 29 fatalities in 2023, 10 fatalities were due to occupational disease (five of which resulted from exposure to asbestos)), and nine fatalities were due to motor vehicle collisions. The remaining 10 fatalities resulted from medical complications due to workplace injuries, and from heart attacks and traumatic events. 

“Each of these fatalities represent spouses, children, families, workplaces and communities who have been tragically impacted by these losses,” said Dobrowolsky. “We need to remember the 29 workers in our province who lost their lives because of a work-related injury last year. To honour their memories, we all must intensify our efforts to make every workplace safe from injuries and fatalities.” 

Learn more about the strategy at worksafesask.ca/fatalities-and-serious-injuries.

Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Prepping for the Construction Season

Shantel Lipp

We are another month closer to the construction season getting underway. As you get ready for the projects you will work on this season, our board is preparing for a meeting we would love to have you attend.

A special meeting will be held in Saskatoon on April 24 to outline the priorities of SHCA. Members are invited to register to attend this event. Please get in touch with our office about registering –  we will be providing our membership regular updates on these priorities as well as future meetings we will hold.

Our priorities are related to current developments in our province and country. I keep a close eye on issues relevant to our industry, to understand them while also advocating for our members’ interests. One issue coming to the forefront of public attention is housing. The federal government is looking ahead to an election next year as Canadians express their frustration at the lack of housing and the cost of what is available.  

We need to build more homes in our country, but recent announcements by the federal government about their intent to “partner” with provinces and territories to build more housing in municipalities are being scrutinized by provincial and municipal leaders. The strings attached to the funding are a point of contention. Municipalities are in the best position to judge what the biggest benefit will be to their community, but  new homes, no matter where they’re built, will require roads, utilities and other services that are challenging for municipalities to provide.  

There’s infrastructure that we like, such as parks, recreation facilities, pools and more. There’s infrastructure we need, such as hospitals, care homes, clinics and schools. Then there’s the infrastructure that helps pay for it all, including roads, rail, air and trade corridor access. We can’t forget how important that last piece is to all the others. We need to be vocal about this matter, so the federal government understands that building homes isn’t about constructing a single standing structure. Before any housing can begin to be built, there is the preparation for the development, and that’s done by our industry. That is critical and can’t be lost in the discussion.  

Working in this industry, I am constantly reminded of how great the people are who work in it. That extends beyond our country to our neighbours in the south. I was pleased to attend the 2024 World of Asphalt conference Nashville, Tenn., held in late March.  

World of Asphalt is the leading asphalt trade show and conference, where industry manufacturers and service providers in the aggregate, asphalt, pavement maintenance, and traffic safety industry sectors come together to showcase their latest products and technologies. This event features 500 exhibitors, 150 education session and over 15,000 attendees from around the world.  

A highlight for me was connecting with my peers in the U.S. chapter of Women of Asphalt. They held a one-day event as part of the conference and it was very well received. Here at home, we have a Canadian chapter of this organization, and it is looking for members and sponsors to help promote women in our industry. I’d be happy to talk to any SHCA members about it and why it matters that it thrives.

conceptual illustration of charts
by SHCA SHCA

Province Unveils Saskatchewan Investment Attraction Strategy

conceptual illustration of charts
abcvector/123rf

On March 11, 2024, the Government of Saskatchewan released Securing the Next Decade of Growth: Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy. The strategy is Saskatchewan’s roadmap to increasing investment in the province and further advancing Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan goal of $16 billion in private capital investment annually. 

“The new strategy builds on Saskatchewan’s many advantages as the best place to invest in the nation,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “This will lead to more opportunities for local, national and international investors, while solidifying our province as a nation leader in private capital investment. We have seen significant investments in this province over the past several years and this strategy will help build on that momentum. This will create jobs and grow our economy for a brighter future that benefits all Saskatchewan residents.”

Private capital investment in Saskatchewan increased by nearly 25 per cent in 2023 and is expected to lead the nation with an increase of 14.4 per cent in 2024. The strategy is built on the Saskatchewan Advantage, which includes a competitive business environment, low tax and utility rates, a transparent and predictable regulatory environment, a strong suite of incentives and a network of nine international offices that connect Saskatchewan to the world. 

“Saskatchewan’s world class resource base, highly skilled talent pipeline and stable and supportive regulatory and investment environment, all gave BHP the confidence to make the largest single investment in the company’s history right here in Saskatchewan,” BHP Potash Asset President Karina Gistelinck said. “Our Jansen potash mine will deliver responsibly produced Canadian potash to the world. We are proud to support the ongoing economic growth of Saskatchewan and applaud the province for their commitment to advancing growth and prosperity in a responsible manner.”

The strategy focuses on three key pillars:

  • Build – creating opportunities in new and emerging sectors to drive investment and diversify the economy;
  • Grow – leveraging previous successes and capitalizing on existing strengths in Saskatchewan’s key sectors; and
  • Connect – connecting the world to Saskatchewan to ensure the province remains a secure, reliable supplier of goods and services.

As part of the strategy, the provincial government launched a new website, investSK.ca, which will serve as a gateway to the province for international business and investors. It provides an overview of the major economic sectors and the world-class investment opportunities in Saskatchewan. 

“Saskatchewan’s newly announced Investment Attraction Strategy strikes the right balance between supporting our established industries and encouraging innovation,” Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO Prabha Ramaswamy said. “We look forward to showing the world what our province has to offer and welcoming new partners both in Canada and abroad.”

To continue to be the best place in the world to invest, the Government of Saskatchewan is announcing the following new, expanded or improved incentives. The new Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive will support innovation commercialization projects that target emerging critical minerals including helium, lithium, rare earth elements, copper, zinc, magnesium, nickel, gallium, and aluminum through a 25 per cent transferable royalty/freehold production tax credit.

The new Critical Minerals Processing Investment Incentive will support the development of critical mineral processing in the province, establishing Saskatchewan as a rare earth elements hub. The program will provide a 15 per cent transferable royalty/freehold production tax credit to support the development of processing facilities for 10 emerging critical minerals in Saskatchewan. The new Multi-lateral Well Program will provide an incentive to help jumpstart use of this new more sustainable drilling technology. 

The expanded Saskatchewan Technology Start-up Incentive is a non-refundable 45 per cent tax credit to individuals, corporations and venture capital firms that invest in eligible technology startups. This program will see a doubling of its annual tax credit cap from $3.5 million to $7 million and expanded eligibility to include clean technology. Two successful existing incentives are being extended for five more years to 2029, the Oil and Gas Processing Investment Incentive and the Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive. 

These new and expanded programs will complement existing successful programs such as the Saskatchewan Value-Added Agriculture Incentive, the Manufacturing and Processing Investment Tax Credit and others. For the full strategy, to see the new website and to learn more about the Saskatchewan Advantage, visit investSK.ca.