by SHCA SHCA

The SHCA Hot Seat

Featuring Josh Safronetz, H.J.R. Asphalt Ltd. and 2nd Vice Chair on the SHCA Board of Directors

1. Where are you from?

Saskatchewan! (Unity, Meadow Lake and Saskatoon)

2. Who do you credit to getting you where you are today?

My dad

3. What is your career history?

Ministry of Highways, Consulting, and Contractor

4. What’s the best peice of business or career advice you have been given?

Be kind. Listen. Everyone’s experiences are their truth.

5. What’s your favourite think about Saskatchewan and working in the industry?

Hands down, the people.

6. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Hiking

7. Which living person do you most admire?

The Dalai Lama

8. Which talent would you most like to have?

Unwavering compassion

9. What is your most treasured possession?

My health

10. Who are your favourite writers?

Ajahn Brahm, Donna Tartt

by Martin Charlton Communications Martin Charlton Communications

Bevy of Rural Projects “a Total Anomaly”

If you’re a local road construction contractor, there’s plenty of good news headed your way.

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), thanks to substantial stimulus funding from both the federal and provincial governments, has more than 60 projects on the market and available to bidding contractors.

That total is expected to grow closer to 100 throughout the spring and summer.

“This is a total anomaly as far as the number of projects available,” said Terry Hoeving, SARM’s program manager, infrastructure.

Typically, SARM’s annual budget is $15 million for rural roads, bridges and culverts. She said a normal year would see between seven to 1o road projects. This year, there are 62 and counting.

“This is great news for our rural municipalities,” she said. “We haven’t had an influx in funding like this in several years. This is unprecedented. The funding was there not only to build up our infrastructure, but also to help get those residents to work and our contractors working.”

Hoeving expects a steady trickle of projects being made available to contractors between April and September.

Total funding for rural roads over the next three years is $44.7 million. The goal is to enhance 163,000 kilometres of roadways in close to 100 RMs. Hoeving believes this is the most extensive coverage of roads in the country.

SARM covers four categories of road infrastructure, including the base and sub-base. It no longer covers pavement. It will cover a clay cap, which is the most common among the RMs; it covers grading to improve the shoulders and the crown; it also covers a granular seal.

SARM initially announced 30 projects available for tenders in July 2020. An additional 30 projects hit the market in October. SARM currently is waiting for provincial approval to unveil a third round of projects.

“We’ll definitely have enough projects and work for a long time,” she said.

In addition to road work, Hoeving says approximately 1,400 municipal bridges across the province are in need of repair.

Total funding for bridge and culvert work is pegged at $31.5 million over the next four years.

The program that identifies rural road or bridge and culvert repair or building supports the economic development of the province. Funding for such projects is based on: Truck traffic; the length of detour if road is closed; various economic generators or industries that use the road in question.

Each RM qualifies for up to $500,000 in 50/50 cost-share grant funding per fiscal year.

Projects included this year are valued anywhere between $12 million and $200,000.

“Every project is important to each RM, whether it be the $12-million projects or the smaller ones. They all mean something different to each RM. They’re equally as important,” Hoeving said. “We hope that all RMs are applying to the program so that we can spread the funding across the province. We hope this creates jobs, boosts the economy and enhances people’s quality of life.”

Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

A Busy Season Ahead

While COVID-19 continues to decimate our lives – both personally and professionally – there is some good news to share.

In an effort to boost our struggling economy, stimulus funding from the federal and provincial governments has been received at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) head office. More than 60 projects are available to bidding contractors, with more projects to come over the next several weeks and months.

Don’t be surprised if we see close to 100 projects come to tender throughout the spring and summer.

SARM’s annual budget is usually around $14 to 15 million for roads, bridge and culverts, with approximately seven to 10 road projects each year. This year, we’ve already seen more than 60 road projects come available. More are on the way.

In fact, total funding for rural roads over the next three years is close to $45 million. SARM wants to enhance 163,000 kilometres of roadways in close to 100 RMs across the province. 

SARM initially announced 30 projects available for tenders in July 2020. An additional 30 projects hit the market in October and now they are waiting for provincial approval to unveil a third round of projects. 

In addition to road work, we’re likely to see ample projects that focus on bridge work – approximately 1,400 municipal bridges across the province are in need of repair. 

Total funding for bridge and culvert work is pegged at $31.5 million over the next four years.

Combine the wealth of projects from SARM with the work that is surely to come in relation to the Lake Diefenbaker irrigation project and we’re optimistic our industry will be humming for the next decade and longer.

More good news came from the provincial budget announcement on April 6. It was a surprise, albeit a pleasant one, to see the government invest more heavily than expected through the Ministry of Highways.

This is welcomed news for our industry and news we should celebrate. Though we do realize and respect the fact that a lot of people in the province have suffered losses, both with loved ones and financial assets. 

Let’s get to work! Stay safe, everyone.

Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Budget Day Coming Up

No one is itching to return to 2020. 

But if there was a positive to pull from last year, it was a record $437.4 million in fall tenders from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways. That’s the largest dollar amount allocated to highway work in Saskatchewan history.

So, this message should serve as a reminder to our members that come budget day in Saskatchewan (April 6) to remember the bulk of money allocated to our industry happened in the fall. 

We should not expect to see a similar spend in our industry this spring. Yes, we’re likely to see more projects come our way on or shortly after budget day, but at a much lower dollar amount than what we’re accustomed to seeing.

Our industry is still seen as one that drives the economy. We have a good track record with the provincial government, and it has been fairly consistent with its budgets. I don’t see them reversing this trend despite deficit budgets in the short-term future.

What we should also anticipate this spring is word from several rural municipalities who received COVID-19 stimulus money. This money was granted specifically for road builds and repairs and short-span bridge work.

In addition to provincial stimulus money, the RMs also received money through the Infrastructure Canada program. 

We should expect to see more projects announced this spring related to this, as well as additional projects from other municipalities across the province. 

It’s no secret that both the federal and provincial governments believe our industry is critical to spurring the economy and pulling us out from this funk caused by the pandemic. 

Obviously, this is great news for our industry as it assures there’s work to be done for the foreseeable future. Both the federal and the provincial governments deserve praise.

by SHCA SHCA

Virtually Unstoppable: CCA Annual Conference

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is hosting their annual conference virtually for 2021.

From March 23 to 25, CCA will bring industry members together to share best practices, network, stay current on industry trends and celebrate member accomplishments through its National Awards program. The virtual event will feature flexible scheduling with a mix of live stream and pre-recorded/on demand programming.

Click here to learn more and to register.

by SHCA SHCA

New SHCA Affinity Partner: Shamii

A new partner to the SHCA affinity program is Shamii, a pickup–drop off full service for your vehicles. By using Shamii, SHCA members can avoid lineups, wait times, arranging pickups, drop offs or awkward courtesy car rides with strangers. Shamii chauffeurs pick up your vehicle from wherever you are, detail your car with the package you choose and then deliver it back to you.

SHCA members, use the promo code “SHCA21” and receive a 10 per cent discount on all packages.

Click here for more information about Shamii.

by SHCA SHCA

Changes to the WCB’s Employer Initial Report of Injury (E1) Form

To continuously improve its customer service, the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has made changes to the online E1 form.

The new features of the online E1 form include:

  • A document upload feature: Employers will be able to attach documentation with the E1 form submission. This could include pictures related to the worker’s injury, incident reports or medical notes.
  • Fewer required fields – This will allow users to get the E1 form submitted to the WCB faster so injured workers can get the support they need sooner.
  • Fewer questions – Based on the feedback from users, the E1 form was redesigned so the WCB is not asking questions that did not provide value for an injured worker to receive support.
  • An enhanced dashboard that gives the users a better view of what E1s are submitted and saved.

When you submit your E1 form online, the form is automatically entered into the WCB system, which eliminates delays that can occur if mailed.

by SHCA SHCA

The SHCA Hot Seat

Featuring Jeff Hagerty, PCL Construction Management Inc.

1. Where are you from?

I moved to Saskatchewan when I was two and have lived here ever since. So, I’m from Saskatchewan.

2. Who do you credit to getting you where you are today in the heavy construction industry?

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with some great, hardworking people and memorable projects from highway realignments, dyke repairs, undergrounds and new bridge construction. I thank everyone who I’ve worked with over the years because I’ve learned from some amazing people.

3. What is your career history?

I spent 10 years working with a consulting engineer, a short career with a piling firm and then 16 years working for general contractors, from a successful regional GC to now working for PCL Construction, Canada’s largest general contractor.

4. What’s the best piece of business advice or career advice you have or have been given?

Treat people the way you want to be treated and protect your reputation.

5. What’s your favourite think about Saskatchewan and working in the industry?

I love driving past a project that I had a part in completing. And I cherish the working relationships I’ve had that have lasted more than two decades.

6. How long have you been an SHCA member?

Three years.

7. What’s your greatest fear?

When I die and meet the person I could have become, not recognizing him (i.e., not fulfilling my full potential).

8. Which living person do you admire most?

My father – he’s been a great role model for my entire life.

9. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Working as a general contractor – you get to assemble a multidisciplined team to build a project together from start to finish. It’s extremely rewarding.

10. What’s your greatest regret?

Not working for a contractor right out of school.