Construction has paused for the winter on the $25 million Highway 6 and Ring Road overpass project in Regina. When complete, the improvements will better support and build Saskatchewan’s export-based economy.
“This infrastructure project will allow the transportation system to better and more safely handle truck and other traffic on a key economic corridor,” Highways Minister Lori Carr said. “This project builds a stronger Saskatchewan and will help protect the ability to ship goods more efficiently.”
The project involves construction of a pair of new overpasses and associated works at the location of the existing two structures at Highway 6 and Ring Road, which is also sometimes referred to as the south end of Albert Street in Regina.
The new overpasses will each have a clearance height of 5.3 metres and will accommodate larger vehicles. The overpasses being replaced had 4.7 metres of clearance and are nearing the end of their service life, as they were originally completed in 1966. The new overpasses will each continue to have two lanes of traffic.
Construction on the project began in spring of 2023 and saw the new northbound overpass open to traffic in late October. Two-way traffic can now flow normally using both overpasses.
The new southbound overpass and the remainder of the projects are expected to be completed in 2024, with construction resuming next spring.
After six successful years as the president of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), Mary Van Buren has announced that she will be leaving the association in the spring of 2024.
As the first female president in the association’s long history, she has guided CCA into a new era that is digital first and inclusive. Her focus on modernization was critical in CCA’s ability to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, while advocating on behalf of the industry and continuing to deliver member value in the face of a global crisis.
Under her leadership, CCA has developed an expanded focus on innovation and best practices, and is currently piloting a digital contract service which will roll out in early 2024.
One of the most significant achievements of her tenure has been the review of CCA’s governance model, and the restructuring that allowed the association to be more nimble in addressing member issues. Working closely with the board of directors as well as the governance and nominating committee, Van Buren’s commitment to governance effectiveness has seen the consistent evolution of the model and led to CCA receiving aGovernance Award from the Governance Professionals of Canada in 2023.
While her impact on the association is evident, her unwavering commitment to engagement stands as the bedrock of her success at CCA. Through her steadfast dedication to collaboration, she has strengthened the relationship with CCA’s 62 partner associations and developed new strategic partnerships that have not only delivered more value to CCA’s 18,000 member firms but also elevated the profile for the national construction industry.
“The construction industry is essential to Canada’s economic success and quality of life, yet it doesn’t always get the credit it deserves,” said Van Buren. “I am so proud to have brought more attention to an industry that has such a profound impact on our country and affects positive change in our communities every day.
“To see the growth in member engagement in advocacy and the resulting effects that a strong, unified voice for the industry has, is especially rewarding. I am so fortunate to have an excellent team who are committed to advancing the industry’s interests across the services we provide.”
Brendan Nobes, chair of CCA, said, “The board of directors sincerely thanks Mary for her stewardship of the association over the last few years. Through her commitment to advancing member issues, she has raised the industry’s profile, and her legacy of leadership will be long lasting. While we are sad to see her move on, we understand she is interested in taking on new challenges and wish her all the best in this next stage of her career.”
A search process is underway with a goal of a smooth transition and continuing the positive momentum gained under Van Buren’s leadership.
I am counting down the days until the first ever SHCA Infrastructure Summit & Trade Show takes place in Regina next week, and I can’t wait for you to see all that it will bring to the forefront.
First, you will see the importance and impact of the heavy construction industry within and beyond Saskatchewan reinforced. I look forward to seeing contractors, suppliers, engineers, government officials and other professionals coming together to focus on infrastructure and transportation for two full days on Nov. 29 and 30, 2023, at the Delta Hotel & Convention Centre.
You have heard me say that funding to develop and maintain that infrastructure can deliver a return when there is a strategy for investment. This event is another opportunity to deliver that message. The role of infrastructure in trade relationships and the need for long-term investment in infrastructure to grow trade that will benefit our economy are why this event will be valuable to more than members.
I hope all who are there will take in the panel discussion, which is in the agenda for Nov. 29. You will hear the panel discuss how trade and transportation infrastructure intersect in Canada’s economic growth strategy. The panelists will include:
John Law, senior fellow with Canada West Foundation and co-author of From Shovel Ready to Shovel Worthy: The Path to a National Trade Infrastructure Plan for the Next Generation of Economic Growth
Gary Mar, president of Canada West Foundation
Mary VanBuren, president of the Canadian Construction Association
Kyle Toffan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Highways
Jodi Banks, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Trade and Export
Chris Lorenc, president of the Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA)
Mar and VanBuren are involved in a coalition of national organizations that also includes the Business Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. They are concerned about the current level of investment as well as the lack of coordination and planning on a long-term strategy and the state of the federal trade corridors fund.They have endorsed the WCR&HCA report by the Canada West Foundation, From Shovel Ready to Shovel Worth: The Path to a National Trade Infrastructure Plan for the Next Generation of Economic Growth.
This coalition is approaching the three orders of government to advocate for a nation-building strategy to invest in Canada’s trade corridors to harness trade-based economic growth. This summit is important for government because for decades the private sector has been asking for a long-term permanent plan to grow business investment.
I am excited about the opportunities you will have to deepen your knowledge about infrastructure, equipment, labour needs, projects, investment and much more.
As projects become more complex and technology evolves, there is always a need to prepare for the future. At the summit, you will gain information through industry education sessions that can help you become an even better builder. Technological advancements within the industry will be highlighted through technical sessions across a broad sector of industry applications.
Valuable information on many different topics will be shared by Brandt Industries, Gerry Huber, Wirtgen Group, Water Security Agency, Asphalt Institute, SMS Equipment, SaskPower, Cenovus Energy and the Women of Asphalt. They will cover cold in-place recycling, how to use intelligent compaction, asphalt volumetrics, balanced mix design, AI advancements in roadbuilding equipment, new technology in tack coats, flood mitigation, the future of carbon capture and mining, and the inclusion and retention of women in the industry.
There will be opportunities to learn more about the production and processing of materials as well as troubleshooting asphalt plants and greener ways of paving. You can expect to see virtual reality being used to attract young people to our sector as well as to conduct safety training.
It is a time to develop personally as well as professionally. Speakers at the summit include Mark Nesbitt, who will discuss creating the next generation of construction leaders. There will be a presentation by Pamela Barnum, who will describe how to unlock the code of non-verbal communication. Also speaking is Bob Vaughn, who will cover projects becoming more complex and how to create a culture of success. There will be so many people you will want to meet and interact with – whether it is at the innovative trade show or the industry awards and banquet that will wrap up the event.
It will be a busy two days full of people embracing our industry and sharing what it means to this province we call home. I look forward to seeing you there to take part in all that activity to show you value a strong future for all who make up and support the heavy construction industry.
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (SCC) welcomed many of the directions outlined in the Government of Saskatchewan’s 2023 Speech from the Throne.
“The continued expansion of Saskatchewan’s economy, and the growth in our agricultural exports is positive news for Saskatchewan businesses and residents across the province. We are very pleased to hear about progress that has been made in achieving the government’s Growth Plan goals, including population growth, private capital investment, and agri-food exports,” said Prabha Ramaswamy, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
Ramaswamy said she is looking forward to learning more about the new Investment Attraction Strategy. Investment attraction and economic development was ranked as the fourth highest priority for government expenditures among Chamber members. More than 54 per cent of SCC members have indicated investment tax incentives would lead their businesses to invest more capital and create more jobs in Saskatchewan.
“Labour shortage is a key issue facing businesses across the province. Eighty-two per cent of SCC members have indicated moderate to significant impact on their business due to labour shortage. Saskatchewan businesses will be interested in acquiring more details about the recruitment initiatives the province will be implementing as part of Saskatchewan Jobs Plan,” she said.
With many Canadians distressed about the housing crisis, high cost of living and economic uncertainty impacting their daily lives, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is launching an industry call-to-action urging the federal government to partner with the construction industry on building a strong foundation for a stronger Canada.
Estimates by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation reveal that Canada needs to build 3.5 million additional homes above and beyond what is currently projected to be built by 2030. With the current construction workforce shortage, the industry does not have the workers required to meet the projected building needs. Add to that inflation, rising interest rates and affordability, and Canada’s deteriorating foundational infrastructure and it becomes clear that Canada is in dire need of a holistic and long-term strategy to get on track.
Through its online advocacy platform, the Construction Action Network, CCA is urging its 18,000 members and the public to send a letter to their local MPs reminding them of the importance of partnering with the industry to make the following strategic changes:
Commit to a comprehensive, long-term infrastructure investment strategy that includes a 25-year plan for housing and trade-enabling infrastructure.
Address the workforce shortage by modernizing the existing immigration policy and points system to better reflect the workforce needs of the Canadian economy.
Modernize procurement to ensure practices better balance risk-sharing between public contracts and the private sector, reduce red tape, and accelerate approvals for critical projects.
While the federal government has launched various programs, such as the Express Entry program to target immigrants with high-demand skills as well as several initiatives under the National Housing Strategy to fast track the building of new homes, these measures are short-term solutions to problems that require consultation, partnership and long-term planning.
In addition to the campaign, CCA will be hosting its annual Hill Day event on Nov. 7, 2023, where industry representatives will meet with parliamentarians to discuss the construction sector’s essential role in creating and maintaining the infrastructure Canadians use daily. This includes the foundational infrastructure at the heart of new homes and communities.
With construction as its partner, the federal government can build a stronger Canada through comprehensive infrastructure investment, workforce development and procurement modernization.
Eleven rural communities will receive nearly $4.9 million in provincial grants from the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program to rebuild 14 bridges and large culverts.
When combined with municipal dollars, the total estimated value of the projects is more than $12.3 million.
“We prioritized investments in rural bridges and roads to keep our economy going during the pandemic,” Highways Minister Lori Carr said. “Four years ago, Saskatchewan pledged to rebuild 100 bridges over four years. With the announcement of this latest round of projects, we will have rebuilt or replaced 105 rural bridges.
“Thanks to $1 million in grants from RIRG, our rural municipality will replace two bridges,” RM of Lacadena Reeve Brad Sander said. “Investments in transportation infrastructure support our farmers and keep our rural economy growing.”
RIRG assists rural municipalities to build and upgrade local infrastructure. The program provides grants up to 50 per cent of each project’s total cost, to a maximum of $500,000.
It’s that time of year where we begin to say goodbye to this year and look ahead at what the upcoming year will bring. As the summer construction season nears its end, I know you are eager to see what is contained in the fall tender schedule. Now that it is out, I want you to know what the board and I are doing about it.
Off the top, we are building new relationships. As you know, there is a new minister, Lori Carr, but there are also new faces in other prominent roles in the ministry. We look forward to working with Kyle Toffan, the new deputy minister, who previously served in the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement, where he was deputy minister. There is also a new chief of staff, Josh Hack.
As we approach an election year in this province, we are eager to promote how Saskatchewan as a whole can benefit from increased investment in trade infrastructure. First, we need the ministry to understand that changes are necessary to prepare for that brighter future. The board and I recently met with Carr and Toffan to lay out those changes. We have been consistently pointing them out to others who have been in her position, but this is an opportunity for someone new to see them from a fresh perspective.
Making these changes would send a strong message not just to the heavy construction industry and the industries who supply ours, but the world. Canada – and Saskatchewan in particular – has a strong reputation for being a global source and provider of fuel, fertilizer and food. Robust infrastructure is necessary to move commodities and people through the country and out to other parts of the world. When it comes to planning how that trade infrastructure will be maintained and enhanced, our country’s reputation is weak. That impacts our competitiveness in global trade, which adds a challenge to growing our economy.
Here at home, there are changes that could be made to signal to the world we are serious about competing.
First, Saskatchewan’s government must do better when it comes to getting work out in a timely fashion. Tenders continue to hit the market too late. The 2023 Fall Tender Schedule was only recently released. In the fall of 2022, there were several projects listed on the fall tender schedule that were released too late. Some were not released at all, leaving them to be carried over. It is not just contractors who are impacted by these delays, but also those in design and engineering, materials, fuels, aggregates, oils and equipment supply.
We also learned something very important about how to assess the quantity of projects in the tender schedule. Projects that are tendered with a two-year completion date have all production quantities linked to the year it was actually tendered. So, for example, a project on the 2022 fall tender schedule with a 2024 completion date shows all quantities in 2022 – this is why we see the same projects announced multiple times in the budget speech.
What this does, from our perspective, is skew the overall budget numbers and mislead our industry when it comes to the overall quantities shown on the tender schedule. We have asked the ministry to better display these types of jobs to paint a more realistic picture of what’s coming to the market.
When contractors have a longer – and more accurate – look down the road at what the level of investment is projected to be, they are able to better determine their business priorities and investments. They can be better organized and prepared, making them more efficient, productive and competitive. They can become more capable of managing costs and preparing to serve emerging market sectors. Long-term, continuing to release projects too late in the year will have a negative impact on industry capacity.
Second, neighbouring provinces are projecting their investment in the coming years while Saskatchewan continues to announce annual spending. In the spring of 2022, the Manitoba government announced a $2.4 billion three-year capital plan. The plan commits to investing a minimum of $500 million per year into highways. Alberta announced this year that it will spend $2.3 billion on roads and bridges as part of its 2023-26 Capital Plan.
Saskatchewan released a low level of work in the 2023 Fall Tender Schedule. On top of that, this year there was only one asphalt plant working in the province producing product for the Ministry of Highways. The SHCA board made it clear that our industry has the capacity to complete three times the amount of work shown on the last few fall tender schedules. That capacity is available to the Saskatchewan government, but it will be the Manitoba and Alberta governments who will see an advantage because of their commitment to long-term, sustainable funding of major highways and trade corridors.
This year’s construction season saw almost all the major paving contractors looking for work in our neighbouring provinces. Eventually, we will see more companies leaving the market, which will reduce the amount of competition in our province. This will have a negative impact on the cost and quality of building and maintaining our critical infrastructure. We encourage Minister Carr to bring a clear message to the cabinet table that there is a strong case for increasing infrastructure investment sooner rather than later, especially considering the challenges posed by inflation.
We all know construction is not immune to increased costs. It will cost less to invest in trade infrastructure now than it will later, and the return on that investment is substantial. For every dollar of investment, in the short term, there is an immediate return of one dollar and thirty cents to the province.
We are seeing the provincial government make announcements about social spending, such as the one they made at the start of October dedicating $90 million to address homelessness and addictions. Being able to find the money to announce spending on areas such as that is possible when we have a strong economy generating income for the provincial government. The return we would get on investing in trade infrastructure can make more such announcements possible.
Investing in infrastructure that supports trade helps to grow our economy by ensuring we are competitive in the world trade markets. Over the longer term, that return on the investment could be as high as four or five dollars during the asset’s lifespan. That means infrastructure built and maintained by the members of SHCA will contribute to Saskatchewan’s continued economic growth. That growth will contribute to paying for all the social investments – in health, education and more – that ensure a high quality of life for people living in this province. If we don’t sustain our investment and make changes to support the industry, it won’t be there to provide for our future needs.
Next is an election year. I, along with the board, will continue to hammer the message, “If you can’t move it – you aren’t selling it.” We look forward to the budget in the spring of 2024 that shows taxpayers the Saskatchewan Party is serious about creating “growth that works for everyone.”
Change can be good. In our province, I am working with the board to make that case so we see positive change that benefits more than our industry. It is change that is beneficial to the daily lives of the people living and working to make this province even better than it is today.
On August 23, 2023, KMS Construction Ltd. pleaded guilty in Swift Current Provincial Court to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.
The company was fined for contravening clause 3-1(c) of the regulations (being an employer, fail to comply with the duties of an employer at a place of employment including the provision of any information, instruction, training and supervision that is necessary to protect the health and safety of workers at work, 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.
Two other charges were withdrawn.
The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 17, 2021, near Gull Lake, Saskatchewan, when a worker suffered serious injuries in the cab of a scraper buggy.
The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety works with employers and workers to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through education, inspections and prosecutions.
