by SHCA SHCA

60 Million Reasons to Check the Highway Hotline This Past Year

Highways Minister David Marit announced the Highway Hotline’s digital platform was checked by motorists over the last year more than 60 million times – a new record for Saskatchewan’s provincial road information service.

“Thank you to all drivers who take the time to check the Highway Hotline to make an informed decision before heading out on the road,” Marit said. “Understanding what may be on the road ahead can help you plan safer and more efficient trips, which supports our quality of life and export-based economy.”

From April 2024 to March 2025, the Highway Hotline website had over 40 million pageviews, while its mobile app had a total of more than 20 million. A key contributing factor to this record was more storms this winter than previous years. From April 2023 to March 2024, the Highway Hotline website had over 10 million pageviews, while its mobile app had more than 3 million for a total of 13 million views overall. The previous winter was milder.

The Highway Hotline began more than 50 years ago as a telephone service answered by staff. It continues providing that service via modern automated audio reports of road conditions by dialing 1-888-335-7623 (across Canada) or 511 (within Saskatchewan) and using touch tone technology. About 33,000 calls are received a year. The service has evolved to include the latest version of the Highway Hotline mobile app available for free in the Google and Apple online stores.

The service has more than 50 camera locations that can be seen online at hotline.gov.sk.ca/cctv or by using the mobile app, while the Track My Plow is a Highway Hotline winter feature showing motorists where a snowplow has recently been clearing snow or treating ice. Motorists are reminded to continue checking the Highway Hotline throughout the year at hotline.gov.sk.ca/map as it provides information such as construction zones, weather, ferry crossings, parks, along with closures and incidents related to vehicle collisions and forest and grass fires.

white, yellow and blue hard safety helmet hat for safety project of workman as engineer or worker, on concrete floor on city.
by SHCA SHCA

Day of Mourning Remembers 27 Workers Who Lost Their Lives

white, yellow and blue hard safety helmet hat for safety project of workman as engineer or worker, on concrete floor on city.

Every year on April 28, Canada marks the National Day of Mourning. Provincially, flags at all government buildings are lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset.

April 28 was first declared as the National Day of Mourning by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984. The day is now annually observed across Canada as a way to pay tribute to individuals killed, injured or stricken with illness in the workplace. In 2024, 27 workplace fatality claims were accepted by the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board.

“Our condolences are with the friends, families and colleagues of those who lost their life to a workplace injury or illness,” Deputy Premier and Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Jim Reiter said. “Safety must be a priority in everything we do.”

“Today is an important day to reflect on how we can create safer workplaces, so each worker can return home safely at the end of the day,” Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board Chairperson Gord Dobrowolsky said. “There is always more work to be done to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.”

In 2023, WorkSafe Saskatchewan, a partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, released the 2023-2028 Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy to help prevent and reduce serious workplace injuries and fatalities.

Copies of the 2023-28 Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy are available at www.worksafesask.ca.

by SHCA SHCA

Canada’s Construction Industry Congratulates the New Liberal Government, Reiterates the Importance of Construction for all Canadians

Canadian Construction Association

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney and his new members of Parliament from across the country for winning the confidence of Canadians. 

“For Mark Carney and his administration, now is the time for action,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president of CCA. “A strong, sustainable and resilient Canada needs a strong, sustainable and resilient construction industry. To support Canadians, the next federal government must support construction.” 

During the federal election, CCA launched Construction for Canadians, a campaign supported by Canada’s national, provincial and regional construction associations to emphasize the importance of construction to building the strong Canada that Canadians deserve.  

“Beyond the economic impact, the construction industry builds the critical infrastructure Canadians rely on every day,” said Gilbert. “We build the schools where our children learn; the hospitals that care for us; the roads and highways that connect our communities and economies; and the housing that becomes our homes.” 

Over the course of the campaign, Construction for Canadians received an outpouring of support from dozens of candidates across Canada and was featured in hundreds of media publications, discussing the priorities of the Canadian construction industry.  

“This campaign has never been just about our industry – it’s about Canada and Canadians,” said Gilbert. “We cannot grow our economy or develop the infrastructure we need to compete globally and respond to political and economic challenges without construction.”  

During this election, Carney and his candidates made various commitments which involve the construction industry. These commitments include:

  • Investing in critical, community-enabling infrastructure to connect Canadians and grow regional, provincial and economic economies. 
  • Investing $5 billion for the new Trade Diversification Corridors Fund to support the development of trade infrastructure, including, but not limited to, ports, railways, airports and highways. 
  • Deploying a made-in-Canada procurement strategy that prioritizes Canadian suppliers and supply chains. 
  • Increasing labour mobility for skilled trades people between provinces and territories to address labour shortages. 

 “CCA will continue its work in close collaboration with the new government to ensure that Prime Minister Carney and his new administration keep their promises to the construction industry,” said Gilbert. “Only together can we build a strong foundation for Canada’s future.”

Concept of industrial education with hard hat
by SHCA SHCA

SHCA’s Catalogue of Courses

The SHCA has created a Catalogue of Courses for those interested in bolstering their education in the heavy construction industry. All courses qualify for Continued Professional Development Credits from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. 

View the full Catalogue of Courses here.

by SHCA SHCA

WCR&HCA Calls On Prime Minister to Announce Vision, Plan in Western Canada

The Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA) Board of Directors is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to share his vision for Canada, implement a four-pronged approach to address the economic impact of the trade war with the U.S. and help Canada emerge more resilient and stronger.

WCRHCA | Western Canada Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association

In a letter to Carney May 7, the WCR&HCA urged the Prime Minister, in his first 100 days in office, to deliver his vision, proposed direction and destination for Canada in a major policy address from a location in Western Canada. If accepted by the Prime Minister, that would be historic in nature, WCR&HCA president & CEO Chris Lorenc says.

Moreover, it would help assuage concerns that Western Canada alienation worries will be moot in a federal government that listens attentively, acts purposefully and is government for all the people of Canada, Lorenc says. The letter outlined a four-pronged national approach to respond to Trump’s tariffs. It noted the approach aligns with the Prime Minister’s comments in a recent press conference, in which he outlined the imperatives of focusing on national purpose, benefit and unity in a collaborative ‘Team Canada’ approach.

The Premiers of the four western provinces were also copied on the letter, which can be read here.

Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

The Federal Election is Over – What’s Next?

Shantel Lipp

The dust has settled on the April federal election and now is the time for our elected representatives to get to work. The campaign saw many issues discussed by party leaders and their candidates with varying opinions from all sides of the political spectrum. All campaigns experience competing interests and some voices are heard over others. 

The heavy construction industry was one of those voices. Much like the Canadian electorate, our industry is at a crossroads. Will the future of Canadian infrastructure expand for the economy to grow? What does the result of the federal election mean for projects in Western Canada and, more importantly, for Saskatchewan?  

During the campaign, there were many discussions on ways to advance the Canadian economy while, at the same time, to become less reliant on the United States. The ebbs and flows of the tariff threats continue to have an impact on how we do business across the country and here in Saskatchewan. 

Rather than looking south, Canada has started to look east and west to create opportunities by removing barriers that create stagnation in economic growth. All sectors are looking at ways to create solutions that bring mobility across the country on vital projects required to keep our economy on track. 

Our industry adapts to change quickly, and the challenges facing it due to the tariff issue was one that we took on. The heavy construction industry here in Saskatchewan has been very vocal with all levels of government on action that needs to be taken to ensure our industry remains economically healthy. We, as an industry, continue to advocate for long-term strategic funding for infrastructure which guarantees good jobs, safe roads and economic growth. 

As the newly elected federal government begins to take shape, the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA) will be looking intently at what direction it takes with respect to the future of infrastructure funding. Hopefully, lessons have been learned and the misguided notion of not funding future projects of infrastructure that are tied to road building have been tossed into the dumpster of bad ideas. 

As an advocate for the heavy construction industry, the SHCA will always put our members interests first and let governments know when they have been right and when they have been wrong.