Hands-on maintenance solutions, during CONEXPO-CON/AGG, where attendees walk the show floor and learn how to reduce downtime, lower operating costs and improve safety.
- Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
- Time: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Cost: $199
Province Proclaims SaskAbilities Day to Celebrate 75 Years of Service
The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed Dec. 2, 2025, as SaskAbilities Day in recognition of the organization’s 75 years of service to persons with disabilities and their leadership in strengthening communities across the province.
“Our partnership with SaskAbilities is one we deeply value, and I want to congratulate them on this milestone,” Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said. “For decades, individuals and their families have benefitted from the quality services provided by SaskAbilities. I look forward to continuing our shared efforts to build an inclusive Saskatchewan.”
Founded on Dec. 2, 1950, SaskAbilities has grown from a small, family-led initiative into a province-wide organization that supports more than 50,000 individuals each year. This growth reflects their commitment to meeting the evolving needs of persons with disabilities and to building inclusive communities where everyone can thrive.
“In 1950, Saskatchewan families came together with a heartfelt hope: a better life for their children,” SaskAbilities president Paul Blackstock said. “From these humble beginnings, SaskAbilities now supports children, youth and adults experiencing disability with employment, quality of life and rehabilitation programs and services. We are grateful for the decades-long support from the Government of Saskatchewan and the people of our great province as we continue to work together to build inclusive communities for people of all abilities.”
To learn more about SaskAbilities programs or to access supports, visit saskabilities.ca.
National Infrastructure Assessment Underscores Urgent Need for Delivery-Focused Reforms
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) welcomed the release of the National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA), noting that its findings strongly substantiate CCA’s long-standing recommendations for long-term planning, modernized delivery systems and the core infrastructure required to support Canada’s housing ambitions.
CCA president Rodrigue Gilbert says the assessment reinforces a message the industry has long emphasized: Canada cannot build more homes without the enabling infrastructure required to support them.
“We are pleased to see the NIA clearly recognize that housing cannot accelerate without major improvements to water and wastewater capacity, solid waste management and public transit access,” said Gilbert. “These are the foundational systems that determine whether communities can grow.”
By providing a detailed snapshot of Canada’s housing-enabling infrastructure, the NIA reinforced the challenges CCA has consistently raised. The assessment shows that over $126 billion of infrastructure is in “poor or very poor condition,” with 11 per cent of water and wastewater assets and more than 13 per cent of public transit assets at risk, and solid waste infrastructure approaching capacity limits. This re-emphasizes the need for governments to act decisively to support safe, resilient and growing communities.
While the NIA provided an important national roadmap, CCA notes several areas where further action is needed:
- Workforce gaps: The report focuses primarily on engineering students, without addressing the broader construction trades, vocational training and apprenticeships critical to meeting labour demand.
- Data limitations: The NIA provides a snapshot of infrastructure conditions using 2022-2023 data, but lacks a plan for regularly updated, comprehensive information to guide evidence-based decisions.
- Annual publication and stakeholder engagement: CCA recommends an NIA be published annually, developed with extensive engagement of relevant stakeholders, reflecting diverse perspectives and using evidence from infrastructure, economic and growth data to support long-term asset management planning.
- Future scope: While the current NIA focuses on housing-enabling infrastructure, future assessments should also address transport and trade-enabling infrastructure to strengthen economic resilience and bolster our supply chains.
“The assessment provides a clear national vision, but delivery depends on coherent policy frameworks that support it,” said Gilbert. “To turn these findings into action, we need a workforce strategy that reflects real labour-market needs, fair, open and transparent procurement policies, supply chains that remain resilient under new domestic sourcing rules and internal trade policies that break down barriers between provinces. Without these elements, even the strongest infrastructure plan risks stalling on implementation.”
SHCA Welcomes Newly Appointed Minister of Highways and Minister for SaskBuilds and Procurement
The SHCA is pleased to congratulate and welcome the Honourable Kim Gartner, newly appointed Minister of Highways, and the Honourable Sean Wilson, newly appointed Minister for SaskBuilds and Procurement.
“Our association is looking forward to collaborating with both ministers as they take on these important portfolios,” said Shantel Lipp, SHCA president. “Our industry has had the opportunity to work with each of them in various capacities over the years, and we know they bring experience, focus and a strong commitment to supporting Saskatchewan’s growth. We are optimistic about what we can accomplish together.”
Premier Scott Moe announced the cabinet changes on Dec. 11, including the transition of the Honourable David Marit to the role of Minister of Agriculture.
“The SHCA truly appreciated the constructive and respectful working relationship we had with Minister Marit,” Lipp said. “He understood the challenges our industry faces and consistently demonstrated a willingness to listen. We wish him every success in his new portfolio.”
Build Your Career Day: Career Connect and the Third Annual Infrastructure Summit and Trade Show Photos
Last week at the 2025 SHCA Infrastructure Summit and Trade Show, the SHCA rolled out new merchandise.
This industry doesn’t run on buzzwords. It runs on grit, skill and teams who show up in the cold, the dust and the long days to keep projects moving. That’s what this gear is meant to represent: pride in the work, and pride in the people doing it.
What’s available now
The new lineup is live and ready to order: clean designs, quality pieces and gear your crew will actually wear on site, in the shop or on the road.
If you’ve got a crew that just pushed through a tough build, or leaders who set the pace every day, consider picking up a few items for your team. It’s a simple way to recognize them, and it helps the SHCA tell a stronger story about the industry across Saskatchewan.
Check out the new SHCA merchandise here.
Place an order here
Photos: Vince Suma-Oy, Versus Captured Productions
Budget Updates, Industry Dialogue and What Comes Next
Once again, the SHCA had a very busy fall leading up to our third annual Infrastructure Summit and Trade Show in Regina. As we finalized presentations, speakers and trade show exhibitors, we also kept an eye on other factors impacting our industry.
On Nov. 4, the federal finance minister unveiled the 2025-26 federal budget. The budget revealed that the federal government is committing $115 billion over five years to major infrastructure projects. The $115-billion investment is broken down into $5 billion for trade and transport infrastructure, $19 billion for Indigenous communities and municipal infrastructure, $37 billion for other infrastructure and assets (e.g., health, innovation) and $54 billion for core public infrastructure (e.g., water, wastewater, transit).
As the details of the federal budget begin to take shape, the SHCA will be tracking what the federal commitments mean for our industry and our province.
On Nov. 7, the SHCA had the opportunity to co-host an industry-government mixer in Saskatoon. The event was attended by both industry and government representatives and once again gave SHCA members an opportunity to speak with the provincial government about the issues affecting our industry.
The event was also timely, as the provincial government is beginning to bring together the pieces of its 2026-27 budget, which will be delivered in the spring. Our members were able to discuss our priorities directly with ministers and MLAs to keep them informed on what infrastructure investments are needed to keep our industry and Saskatchewan moving forward.
Engagement update
On Dec. 2, the SHCA and Women of Asphalt Canada hosted Build Your Future: Career Connect, a recruitment and networking event connecting emerging talent with leading employers across the heavy civil construction sector.
On Dec. 3 and 4, the SHCA hosted its third annual Infrastructure Summit and Trade Show at the Delta Convention Centre in Regina.
Check out this video from the event!