Mark your calendars! Visit the events page on SHCA’s website for the full list of 2023 events.
COMING SOON
March 29–31, 2023 – REGINA
SHCA Spring Kick-Off and Industry Awards Gala, held in conjunction with the Asphalt Institute
Delta Hotel and Convention Centre, Regina
April 4 – REGINA
MLA Reception
5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Delta Hotel and Convention Centre, Regina
May 25-26 – SASKATOON
Board Social and Golf Tournament
Hudson’s Pub and Dakota Dunes
The 2023 SHCA Equipment Rental Rates Guide and Membership Roster is currently at the printer, with mailing expected to begin at the end of March.
Watch for your copy to arrive in April. Contact the SHCA office to purchase additional copies for your crews.
I know you’re hopeful the Saskatchewan government will put out a budget that truly allows for growth. Before the end of March, our industry will have a look at whether the government will put its money where its mouth is. When the throne speech was delivered in October 2022, Scott Moe said, “Our government’s goal is to ensure that strong growth continues and that it’s growth that works for everyone. That means reinvesting in health, education and affordability measures, paying down debt and defending our economic autonomy so Saskatchewan continues to grow and create jobs.”
But it is on budget day, which this year is March 22, that we will see just how dedicated this government is to growth. Saskatchewan’s growth depends on trade and strengthening our ability to move what this province produces so that it reaches world markets, and that starts at home.
I see what is happening in our neighbouring provinces. To the west of us, Alberta’s Ministry of Transportation has allocated $8 billion for its economic corridors as part of its three-year capital plan. This year, the industry in that province will see the Alberta government increase its investment by $718 million compared to last year’s budget.
To the east of us, in Manitoba’s last provincial budget, that government announced a $2.4 billion three-year capital plan. The plan commits to investing a minimum of $500 million per year into highways. In addition, Manitoba allows for carry-over, which is necessary for the industry. Here at home, right now there are still approximately eight projects from the fall 2022 tender schedule that have yet to be tendered. The province won’t allow contractors to carry over work from year to year, but they also haven’t been able to actually get the work out that was advertised in the fall.
I know you need government to understand that our industry can’t wait three months or longer for work to come out on the market. All the work that hasn’t gone out now can’t get done. Road bans will be starting soon and there’s no longer time to prep the material. There is that window over the winter months that allows you to crush and haul material, and it is closing.
At a minimum, this situation around carry-overs needs to improve. If contractors were at least allowed to carry over a portion of the Ministry of Highway’s budget, that would allow for some certainty of work come spring. But what would be even better would be for Saskatchewan’s government to look at what Alberta and Manitoba are doing and take it one step further.
Those governments are making three-year commitments, but provinces would see more value from five-year investments. That will provide the industry and those supplying industry some certainty, but it’s about more than the industry. It’s about the economic growth it would encourage in this province and its benefits for living here.
The highways you build and maintain support trade. We know the world depends on what Saskatchewan produces – food, fuel and fertilizer. When you invest in the infrastructure that will get those goods to market more efficiently, you become more competitive in the world. Being more competitive means even more trade and that is what grows our economy. That economic growth can then generate revenues that support areas such as healthcare, education and social programming, making Saskatchewan an even better place to live.
It is inconsistent for a government to say it wants to grow the economy and then not invest in what will support that growth. Making five-year commitments is an opportunity for the Saskatchewan government. It helps build our reputation in the world for being reliable and competitive trading partners while telling voters the government of this province invests purposefully and strategically so a return on that investment is delivered.
Adopting a strategy of making longer-term investment commitments to grow the economy should start with looking at how the Ministry of Highways tenders projects. But it needs to go further than that. I will let you know following March 22 whether that is the direction this government is headed.
Regina City Council has approved the City’s new Indigenous Procurement Policy.
Regina is committed to reconciliation and this policy, which outlines a minimum goal of 20 per cent Indigenous procurement, is a step along our journey to economic reconciliation. Effective immediately, the procurement policy puts tools in place to foster greater success for Indigenous-led business growth and development within Regina and area.
The Indigenous Procurement Policy has been developed in collaboration with the Indigenous Procurement Advisory Committee (IPAC) who have graciously provided insight and support to Regina’s team to help them move forward together in reconciliation. The IPAC will continue to meet and provide guidance to support implementation of the Indigenous Procurement Policy to its fullest.
Visit Regina.ca/procurement for more information about the Indigenous Procurement Policy.
All members of SHCA are welcome to submit their article ideas for consideration. This is a great opportunity to shine the spotlight on your company, a project you completed and are proud of or to suggest a topic relevant to industry.
If interested, please direct your requests to Shantel.
Mark your calendars! SHCA has planned several events for 2023. Visit the events page on SHCA’s website for the full list of 2023 events.
Coming up next:
March 29–31
SHCA Spring Kick-Off and Industry Awards Gala, held in conjunction with the Asphalt Institute
Delta Hotel and Convention Centre, Regina
April 4
MLA Reception
Where: Saskatchewan Legislative Building, Regina
The opportunity to get together with others in the industry is always time well spent and I can say that some very good time was spent together at the #WCRStrongerTogether2023 conference earlier this month.
Hundreds of delegates from across Western Canada gathered in Waikiki between Feb. 5–9, where they listened to industry speakers, attended networking events and learned – a lot.
It was enlightening to hear about the future of equipment in the industry and how green technology can best be incorporated. Knowing how this equipment must perform in our industry, it was clear we will need to continue to rely on diesel together with alternative energy sources, including batteries, to fuel machines that must run for long hours doing energy-intensive work. It was also interesting to hear how equipment is becoming more autonomous, reducing the need for human labour and improving efficiency on worksites.
Many speakers shared their perspectives on the role of the industry in supporting Canada’s economy. A highlight for me was the keynote address by former Alberta cabinet minister and now Canada West Foundation President Gary Mar.
You will recall the report that was developed by Canada West Foundation last year, From Shovel Ready to Shovel Worthy. Mar shared the ideas that report delivers – that Canada has been spending on one-off projects rather than investing in strategic trade routes that will deliver a return on that investment, and that other nations have implemented long-term investment strategies that prioritize infrastructure projects based on their ability to meet criteria. That difference is causing Canada to become less competitive in the global trade markets.
Mar also reminded those listening about the difference between national and federal. He pointed out that there can be a national initiative led by provinces working with industry, which has expertise to know how to accomplish what is needed, while also partnering with municipalities and First Nations to move towards strategic investment in infrastructure rather than simply spending on it. That was a powerful message to hear and consider.
Panel discussions covered how our industry supports trade, which helps to grow Canada’s economy with speakers such as Brad Wall, the former premier of Saskatchewan, Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Mary Van Buren, president and CEO of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA).
For those interested, click here to watch Trade Infrastructure panellists Beaty, Wall and Mar summarize their session at the WCR&HCA conference.
It was heartening to hear our industry recognized for what we contribute to the strength of this country’s economy, not just in terms of what is built, but also the knowledge and experience members, such as yourself, possess that can help inform decisions about investment. Speakers reminded us that our industry generates far more than the projects we build. As Wall told those listening to the panel, “There’s a lot of long-term job creators in this room and I don’t think you’re thanked enough by government.”
We were also reminded how important it is for government to hear from those working in the industry to better understand and benefit from it. Politicians need to know the skill and experience of those working in the industry when we are explaining our labour needs. Details in the procurement process impact and even burden industry, and they need to have that explained. They need to be reminded of how efficient and effective relationships with industry generate results more quickly.
Those in attendance were reminded that they don’t have to wait for formal invitations to meetings with politicians to share their perspective. As Rod Gilbert, the VP of procurement for the CCA pointed out, you can have these discussions when out in the community where you might encounter someone in the government.
The same is true for those of us in the industry talking to one another. Anyone who was unable to attend the conference who would like to know more can get in touch and I’d be happy to discuss with you what was shared by the speakers and learn how these issues relate to your business. I’m sure the new chair of the Western Canada Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association, Carmen Duncan, would also not mind hearing from you. These are weighty issues that have tremendous importance when looking at the future of our country, so we need to keep them moving ahead by talking about them and how we make progress on them.
These types of events are important to help nurture these conversations. If this sounds like an event you’d benefit from attending in the in future, I’d encourage you to watch for information about the next conference, which is scheduled for 2025.
SHCA is working hard on the 2023 SHCA Rental Rates Guide & Membership Roster – make sure that your membership is in good standing and that your listing information is up to date.
Review the 2022 edition (password required) and contact Ellie Weare at the SHCA office as soon as possible if you have changes to make.
There’s a shortage of skilled workers in Canada. A shrinking talent pool, lack of quality skills training programs and youth reluctant to enter the skilled trades are some of the factors creating a shortfall with no end in sight.
Canada West Foundation (CWF) proposes an innovative solution to help employers build the workforce they need now and in the future. Our latest What Now? brief, Rapid Employee Upskilling and Reskilling, provides principles upon which to build on-the-job skills training programs that meet the needs and interests of employers and job seekers.
Click here to read more from CWF.