Photo courtesy of Lehigh Hanson
by SHCA SHCA

Lehigh Cement Develops a Sustainable Blended PLC for the Canadian Prairies

Lehigh Hanson is pleased to announce the launch of EcoCem®PLUS at its Edmonton cement plant in Alberta. EcoCem®PLUS is an innovative blended Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) available in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Lehigh’s latest cement product provides strength and durability while significantly reducing the carbon footprint in concrete. Along with supporting the company’s vision of sustainable cement and concrete, EcoCem® PLUS provides the following benefits to its consumers:

  • EcoCem®PLUS is produced by inter-grinding clinker, fly ash, limestone and gypsum
  • Combining materials at the Edmonton cement plant provides the highest level of quality control and assures our customers, engineers and end-users consistent proportions
  • EcoCem®PLUS outperforms traditional HS cement in resisting sulphate attack, a common concern found throughout the prairies. Designated as HSLb by CSA (High Sulphate Limestone Blended), its superiority makes it ideal for use in most applications. 
  • All-in-one product reduces the need for additional silos and coordination of multiple deliveries at concrete plants and project sites
  • Through Lehigh’s strong network of terminals and raw material supply, EcoCem®PLUS provides customers a stable supply of cement and fly ash
  • Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for EcoCem®PLUS clearly states the immediate reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP) versus other types of cement

“The motivation behind the EcoCem brand of products is to reduce the embodied carbon of cement and concrete,” said Shawn McMillan, vice president, Cement for Lehigh Hanson’s Canada Region. “The introduction of EcoCem®PLUS to the prairie market builds on our commitment to providing environmentally responsible types of cement that deliver excellent performance while dramatically reducing CO2 emissions.” 

HeidelbergCement, Lehigh Cement’s global parent company, has committed to reducing 30 per cent of its carbon emissions by 2025 and providing carbon-neutral concrete by 2050. EcoCem®PLUS is the latest of several new products recently developed to help achieve those goals.

by SHCA SHCA

Clifton Associates Selected as Lead Engineering Team for First Stage of Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Expansion Project

Regina-based Clifton Associates Ltd. has been selected to begin engineering work for the Westside Irrigation Project. 

Clifton was selected after successfully completing a two-staged transparent procurement process consisting of a request for qualifications and a request for proposals. Clifton’s work will encompass the first stage of the Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Expansion – the largest infrastructure project in Saskatchewan’s history, which is being undertaken in order to double the amount of irrigable land in the province.

“This is an important step forward to realizing the irrigation potential of Lake Diefenbaker,” said Minister Responsible for SaskBuilds and Procurement Jim Reiter. “Our government looks forward to the commencement of the first phase of this generational project.”

Clifton’s team will start work immediately to complete the overall engineering preliminary design for Phases 1 and 2. Their work is expected to take 12 to 18 months, and will inform the next phases of work, including:

  • Preliminary engineering design for Phases 1 and 2
  • Geotechnical, soil suitability and geographical mapping
  • Environmental consulting services
  • Playing a central role in the extensive consultations with First Nations and other stakeholders, which will also start in the near future

“As prime consultant, Clifton is proud to lead the Saskatchewan-based Westside Irrigation Canal Project engineering team in association with Stantec and Associated Engineering,” Clifton Associates Ltd. CEO Wayne Clifton said. “Our team has deep Saskatchewan roots; each firm brings more than four decades of successful delivery of major projects in this province. We are delighted to be a part of this legacy project that will further reinforce Saskatchewan’s position as a leader in global food security while building on the vision made possible by the creation of Lake Diefenbaker a half a century ago. We look forward to continuing the tradition of prairie innovation – applying Saskatchewan talent to deliver a legacy project for the people of Saskatchewan.”

Clifton has spent more than a decade intensively involved in a variety of irrigation studies within Saskatchewan. They are among the most experienced engineering firms across Western Canada and have delivered on other large-scale infrastructure projects in the past. Clifton provides a strong team to review the environmental scope of the work required to complete the initial stages of the necessary provincial and federal regulatory approvals and permits. There will be careful assessment of potential impacts to environmental protection, downstream users and communities, including consultations with First Nations and other stakeholders as part of the process.

Announced in July 2020 by Premier Scott Moe, the Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Project is expected to double the amount of irrigable land in Saskatchewan, a significant step to completing goals set out in the 2030 Growth Plan.

Phase 1 of the Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Expansion Project will include the rehabilitation and expansion of the existing Westside irrigation canal system, increasing irrigable land in Saskatchewan by 80,000 acres. Phase 2 will further expand and buildout the Westside Irrigation Project, adding an additional 260,000 acres of irrigable land. Phase 3 will see the buildout of the Qu’Appelle South Water Conveyance Project, adding an estimated 120,000 acres of irrigable land.

The Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Expansion Project is expected to offer several future benefits, including:

  • An estimated $35.5 to $83 billion increase in the Province’s Gross Domestic Product over the next 50 years
  • Up to $20 billion in tax revenues to support public services including health, education and social services
  • An estimated 2,500 jobs per year during the 10-year construction phase.
Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Gearing Up for a Busy 2021!

With the start of a new year often comes a feeling of optimism. We are starting fresh and putting the difficult year that was 2020 in our rear-view mirror.

Our industry was one of the few that weathered the storm and persevered through some challenging times. Yes, many of us adapted to changes and altered our routines to meet new health and safety guidelines to keep working through government-issued shutdowns and to keep our employees healthy.

Our hope is that a new year brings a semblance of normalcy back to our lives, both at work and at home. We already can look forward to a busy year ahead. If there was a positive to pull from last year it was several big-ticket projects are planned for our province over the next few years.

Saskatchewan will likely be the main beneficiary in a $10-billion commitment from the federal government to support irrigation projects in the prairies. This infrastructure plan will span the next three years, with approximately $1.5 billion expected to result in 700,000 acres of irrigated land. It’s expected to create close to 60,000 jobs.

The Lake Diefenbaker irrigation project is a top candidate to receive much of this federal support. And we should expect to play a major role in the development of this project for years to come.

Combine this funding from the federal government with a record $437.4 million in tendered projects announced last summer by the provincial government. That’s a full plate for our members.

Early in 2020, we heard Premier Scott Moe say, “Over the next two years, our government will invest $7.5 billion dollars in…highways, municipal infrastructure and other important capital projects designed to build a strong Saskatchewan.”

Obviously, this is great news for our industry as it assures there’s work to be done for the foreseeable future.

This funding represents a $2 billion increase over the government’s existing capital plan. The resulting projects are expected to support 10,000 jobs. More than $300 million of the funds are intended for highway projects, including surface upgrades and passing lanes, with almost $50 million dedicated to upgrades to municipal roads and airports.

The pandemic that still lingers today wreaked havoc on global economies. The road to economic recovery here and across the country starts with our industry.

Here’s to a busy season for our members and a prosperous and healthy new year!

by SHCA SHCA

Canadian Construction Association calls on members to stay vigilant amid rising COVID-19 cases

With COVID-19 cases on the rise, new strains cropping up and a slower than hoped rollout of vaccines, it is essential to remain vigilant and follow worksite health and safety protocols as well as general public health measures, says the Canadian Construction Association (CCA).

The health, safety and wellbeing of our workers and the communities in which we operate has always been the top priority of the more than 20,000 member firms of CCA.

“We are proud of our industry and the firms of all sizes who quickly adapted and consistently implemented health protocols across Canada,” said Mary Van Buren, CCA president. “This pandemic highlighted the value of past infrastructure investments, including maintenance, that ensured that the increased volume of goods, food and medical supplies moved efficiently across our roads and bridges, that we could work from home because of broadband connectivity, that we have clean water to drink and for hygiene and that we have hospitals where we receive excellent care.” 

The Canadian construction industry already has in place and implements highly disciplined health and safety protocols on construction sites and at manufacturing facilities. Companies have significantly amplified these by adhering to CCA’s COVID-19 Standardized Protocols for All Canadian Construction Sites. CCA and our partner associations have a wealth of resources available to member firms to assist them during the pandemic.

“It is vital to Canada’s health and economy that our strong track record of safety in the first wave continues into this second and potentially more challenging wave,” said Van Buren. “I know many of us are frustrated by this long road, are experiencing pandemic fatigue, and making personal sacrifices. Together, we can stay the course so that Canadians continue to benefit from the essential work and services provided by construction. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

With cases steeply rising and ICU units reaching full capacity in some locations throughout Canada, there is also a growing urgency around following general health guidelines and other government measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as eliminating all non-essential travel, wearing a mask in public, getting a flu shot, limiting your contacts and washing your hands frequently. 

The construction sector is one of Canada’s largest employers. The industry, 70 per cent of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), employs more than 1.4 million Canadians and contributes 7.5 per cent of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product. The risk is high if we do not maintain our vigilance in the fight against COVID-19.

vaniato/123rf
by SHCA SHCA

Major Updates Coming in 2021 to SHCA’s Website!

Keep a close eye on www.saskheavy.ca in 2021 – big changes are on the way!

SHCA is working hard to update its current website to an all-new format, which will include new sections and benefits for SHCA members.

The new website will feature a Road Builder Hall of Fame, honouring long-time SHCA members and the impact they’ve had on their communities; a new open-access member services directory that will allow site users to search SHCA members for products and services they require; a new, dedicated section to Think BIG magazine, including the digital archives; and more.

We’re excited to be working on this project and the value that it will bring to the association and our members!

by SHCA SHCA

Update Your Information for the 2021 SHCA Equipment Rental Rates Guide & Membership Roster

SHCA members, the time is now to ensure your 2021 dues are paid and that your information is correct and up to date for the membership listings in the 2021 SHCA Equipment Rental Rates Guide & Membership Roster.

If your company had a membership listing in the 2020 version, you can check your listing information in your printed copy or by viewing the online version here. Contact the SHCA office if you require a new username and password.

To inquire about your membership listing or to request any changes, contact Tracey Koch at traceyk@saskheavy.ca. Members who do not submit any changes to their listing will see their membership listings remain the same as they appeared in 2020. 

Advertising sales are also ongoing for the 2021 SHCA Equipment Rental Rates Guide & Membership Roster, with very limited premium positions still available for reservation. View the media kit here and contact adsales@lesterpublications.com with any questions or to reserve advertising space, including a logo to appear over your membership listing. If your company needs assistance creating advertising artwork, the graphics department at Lester Communications Inc. will be happy to help.

Shantel Lipp answers a few questions to help SHCA members get to know her a little better.
by SHCA SHCA

The SHCA Hot Seat

Shantel Lipp answers a few questions to help SHCA members get to know her a little better.
Shantel Lipp answers a few questions to help SHCA members get to know her a little better.

1. Where are you from?

Born, raised and never left Regina!

2. How many years have you been in the industry?

I’ve been president of SHCA for more than a decade and have loved every minute of it.

3. What’s the best piece of business or career advice you’ve ever received?

You can do anything you set your mind on if you’re willing to work hard to get there.

4. What’s your favourite thing about Saskatchewan?

Definitely the people – we are kind, compassionate and always willing to help our fellow man. In today’s age, that’s a dying quality, but it thrives here.

5. What trait do you dislike the most in others?

Jealousy – it keeps people from living their best life.

6. What is your most marked characteristic?

Determination; I’m not a quitter. If I think something is wrong, I will work as hard as I can to make it right.

*Parts of this Q&A originally appeared in Industry West magazine.

tribalium123/123rf
by SHCA SHCA

COVID-19 Resources for Municipalities

Municipalities of Saskatchewan has created a COVID-19 Update to help keep municipalities informed of provincial updates and new resources. On the website’s landing page, viewers can click on a particular focus area in order to access all available resources under that topic, including for employers.

Click here to view the resource page from Municipalities of Saskatchewan or to sign up to receive weekly updates.