by SHCA SHCA

Melfort STARS Heliport Project

Redhead Equipment is pleased to announce that it was named the Mission Lead Pilot Donor of the Melfort Heliport Fundraising Campaign with a contribution of $100,000.

“Since acquiring the dealership in Melfort, we have strived to support our customer’s needs and to give back to Melfort and its surrounding communities. The health and safety of our customers, staff and community is of great importance to Redhead Equipment, and we hope this $100,000 donation reflects our commitment to the people of northeastern Saskatchewan,” said Gary Redhead.

The Melfort Hospital serves approximately 12,200 people and previously did not have a heliport. All patient transfers occurred by ground EMS directly or through the Melfort Airport via fixed wing air ambulance or STARS service. The City of Melfort proposed developing a heliport beside the Melfort Hospital. The landing area would be a certified area used by STARS for the transport of patients from the emergency department at the hospital.

The heliport is an important service for the growing community of Melfort and area. The greatest risk for patients being transported is during handover. With STARS service, the care team can come right to the patient, get a report from the team providing care and transfer directly to tertiary care in Saskatoon.

A heliport will save STARS critical time, in some cases up to 50 minutes from Melfort to Saskatoon’s hospitals.

“When I reached out to Gary Redhead about supporting the Heliport Project in Melfort, there was no hesitation,” said Heliport Fundraising Committee member, Rod Gantefoer. “Redhead Equipment is a proud, active member of all the communities they serve throughout Saskatchewan and is committed to supporting charities and community organizations across the province, through sponsorship, donations and participation.”

Thanks to the support of businesses and families in the Melfort area, the campaign has raised more than $750,000.

Peggy George, chairman of the North Central Health Care Foundation stated, “Raising funds during a pandemic had its own special challenge, but with the support of all our donors, we have been able to exceed our fundraising goal by over $100,000. Excess funds from this campaign will further the work of the foundation. The foundation plays an important role in supporting our local healthcare professionals by providing funding for equipment in the facilities throughout the district.”

As of Dec. 1, 2020, the helipad was completed and certified by Transport Canada, now making it operational. Redhead Equipment is happy to know that every time STARS lands in Melfort, their team helped make it happen.

Shantel Lipp
by SHCA SHCA

Staying the Course

While some of our members continue to stay busy with projects during the winter months, the majority are well settled into their off-season routines.

Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 travel restrictions in place, this year’s brief winter getaway to a warmer climate was put on hold.

As we glance at the calendar, we see we’re nearly halfway through February. This means we’re inching closer to what should be a busy season for our industry. Spring will be here before we know it.

When that time comes to slip back into our boots and work gear, we need to be mindful of our coworkers and remember the health and safety protocols on our job sites remain in effect.

We saw several changes to how we went about our work over the last year. Physical distancing, wearing a mask, frequent sanitizing of equipment and washing of hands often need to continue to happen on all job sites this year. We grew accustomed to these guidelines last year and now is a good time to offer a reminder.

Our industry was one of the few in our province that was fortunate to work relatively unimpeded through the varying levels of economic slowdown last year.

Yes, we are an essential service and the work we do is important. But we maintained our work schedule last year because we were responsible and adhered to our health and safety guidelines. You should be commended for that.

We’re well aware of what one positive COVID-19 test result would likely mean to an entire crew. Nobody wants to get sick and miss work and be forced to shut down a project because someone was careless and ignored protocols.

We follow the health and safety guidelines not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because we want to be healthy and we want our coworkers to be healthy so we can all safely return home to our families.

Here’s to a safe, healthy and busy season ahead!

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.

More Funding For Major Improvements On Many Of Saskatchewan’s Busiest Urban Highways
by SHCA SHCA

Premier Moe Announces $3 Million Boost To Urban Highways Partnerships

The Government of Saskatchewan is making an additional $3 million in capital funding available to improve conditions on highways in Saskatchewan’s smaller cities.  The additional funding will boost capital dollars in the Urban Highway Connector Program (UHCP) to $10 million over two years.

“We committed to making the investments necessary to ensure a strong economic recovery for our province,” Premier Scott Moe said.  “This funding boost will create jobs, enhance safety and support transportation infrastructure in our municipalities.”

UHCP was created in 2008 to provide stable funding and service levels on highways within city limits that connect to the provincial networks.  The program provides financial assistance to urban municipalities for the maintenance, operation and rehabilitation of these roadways.

UHCP funded significant rehabilitation projects in Regina, Estevan, and Yorkton in the 2020-21 budget year, along with lighting upgrades in Lloydminster and starting a regional planning project in the Swift Current area.  Rehabilitation projects in Prince Albert, Estevan, Meadow Lake, Lloydminster, Humboldt, North Battleford, Moose Jaw and Yorkton have been identified as priorities in the UHCP’s multi-year plan.

Through a detailed review of UHCP, towns and cities requested changes to the program.  One of the most significant changes is the Ministry of Highways assuming 100 per cent of the maintenance and rehabilitation costs for urban connectors in Saskatchewan towns as of April 1, 2021, reducing the number of municipalities competing for UHCP dollars each year.  Changes are also being made to how funding is allocated to Regina and Saskatoon.

The Government of Saskatchewan is meeting its target of improving more than 1,000 km of provincial highways this year, the first of its 10-year Growth Plan goal to build and upgrade 10,000 km of highways.

Since 2008, the province has invested more than $200 million into improving urban highways in Saskatchewan over and above municipal revenue sharing.  During that same period, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $9.8 billion in highways infrastructure, improving more than 15,800 km of Saskatchewan highways.

by Martin Charlton Communications Martin Charlton Communications

Few Jobs Going Unfilled

Saskatchewan had the lowest job vacancy rate in the country in November. Quebec had the highest.

This is one of a basket of measures we use to assess the condition of the labour market in the country. When employers post job openings, there are a couple of factors that will determine how quickly the vacancy will be filled. One is the size of the labour pool – this can sometimes be measured by the unemployment rate – and another is whether pay levels are competitive.

There were just over 8,000 unfilled jobs on the books in Saskatchewan in November. That is about 1.7 per cent of the total job pool. That vacancy rate is the lowest in the country.

Then, when you look at wage rates, we saw a bit of softening in November. Normally, we’d think that is a problem, but in the pandemic environment it’s the exact opposite. Lockdowns hit lower-paying jobs hardest, so a falling rate means more lower paid positions remain filled…further evidence that Saskatchewan’s lockdown is milder than anywhere else in the rest of the country.

Jason Nemanishen from Nemanishen Contracting Ltd. (and an SHCA board member!) answers a few questions to help SHCA members get to know him a little better.
by SHCA SHCA

The SHCA Hot Seat

Jason Nemanishen from Nemanishen Contracting Ltd. (and an SHCA board member!) answers a few questions to help SHCA members get to know him a little better.
Jason Nemanishen from Nemanishen Contracting Ltd. (and an SHCA board member!) answers a few questions to help SHCA members get to know him a little better.

1. Where are you from?

I am from Langham, Sask., born and partially raised here. I now have a wonderful family (wife and two kids) firmly rooted in this community that we are happy to call home.

2. How did you get your start in the heavy construction industry and/or what do you credit to getting you where you are today?

Road construction has always been a way of life for my family. I am a third-generation road builder and got my start picking stones and staking up grid roads at the age of 10. The encouragement, leadership and support of grandparents, parents and others in our family business has fostered in me a love for dirt, business and people.

3. What is your career history?

From the age of 10 years old, I have been an earthmover with Nemanishen Contracting Ltd. As the years have gone by, my roles have changed, but my love for our company and what we do has not.

4. What’s the best piece of business or career advice you have or have been given?
Your integrity is one of the most valuable things you can give to your business. A reputation of honesty is tough to gain and easy to destroy. As C.S. Lewis aptly put it, “Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching.”

5. What’s your favourite thing about Saskatchewan and working in the industry?
Although I have enjoyed a great deal of things in this industry over the years, getting to know and work with other companies and the satisfaction of completing a challenging project would certainly have to be at the top of the list.

6. What is your greatest extravagance?

I take particular enjoyment in a fine glass of scotch – the subtle orange zest finish of one to the sea salt and peatiness of another. I can’t think of many better ways to enjoy an evening than sitting back in the recliner to watch a game of pigskin with a glass of Glenmorangie Signet in hand.

7. What is the quality you most like in a person?

I appreciate a person who builds their life around humility and integrity. I believe these two traits emulate a selfless individual that is willing to place others before himself.

8. Who is your favourite writer?

W.E.B. Griffith would have to be one of my favourites. His attention to detail when he recounts historical events and times in his novels brings the pages to life.

9. Where would you most like to live?

Amongst the many great places around the world, I think one of the most amazing locations to live would be Tuscany, Italy. Tuscany encompasses such a laid-back atmosphere along with food, art, history and ambiance. “Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto” – Eat well, laugh often, love much!

10. What is it that you most dislike?

I find it ironic that as much as I enjoy food, I despise mushrooms. This is indeed a shame as the individuals who like them seem to love them. Alas, maybe one day my palate will change for the better.

by SHCA SHCA

Government of Saskatchewan Completes Year Two of $100 Million Intersection Safety Strategy

The Government of Saskatchewan has completed $40 million in highway safety improvements all over the province since 2019. This marks year two of a five-year, $100 million strategy to improve safety at intersections and highways in Saskatchewan.

“Our government made a commitment to make significant investments in intersection safety,” said Highways Minister Fred Bradshaw. “I am pleased to see the progress that has been made in the first two years of this strategy and look forward to much more in the next three.”

After the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash, the Government of Saskatchewan made a commitment to review every intersection in the province. That review is now complete and safety improvements are being made all across the province as a result. This includes at the intersection of Highway 35 and 335, where all but two of the 13 safety recommendations made by an independent traffic safety engineer are complete. The two remaining recommendations are scheduled for completion in 2021.

“These investments mean a lot to our members,” said Saskatchewan Trucking Association executive director Susan Ewart. “Improved intersections and highways contribute to an overall climate of road safety in Saskatchewan.”

Some of the completed road safety projects include:

  • Intersection improvements at:
    • Highway 1 and Kalium Road, west of Regina
    • Highway 3 east of Prince Albert
    • Highway 11 and Davidson South Commercial Access
    • Highway 20 at Lumsden
  • Intersection and lighting improvements at Highway 21 and Highway 307
  • Pedestrian crosswalk improvements on Highway 155 in Buffalo Narrows
  • Railway crossing warning system upgrade on Highway 14 east of Biggar
  • Pedestrian crosswalk improvements on Highway 55 at Flying Dust First Nation
  • Numerous intersection sight triangle improvements

The Government of Saskatchewan is meeting its target of improving more than 1,000 km of provincial highways this year, the first of its 10-year Growth Plan goal to build and upgrade 10,000 km of highways. Another $300 million in highways stimulus funds is being invested over the two years in thin-membrane surface upgrades, passing lanes and improvements to municipal roads and airports.

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $9.8 billion in highways infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 15,800 km of Saskatchewan highways.