The Government of Saskatchewan, Regina Public Schools, Regina Catholic Schools and the City of Regina have marked the start of construction of a new joint-use elementary school in Regina’s Harbour Landing neighbourhood. The new joint-use school facility is being built on 11 acres of land, located on the corner of Gordon Road and Campbell Street in southwest Regina.
“The start of construction on the Harbour Landing West joint-use school is an important step toward building a brighter future,” SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister David Marit said. “This project is about more than just a new building, it is about creating opportunities, supporting our children’s growth and giving families access to modern, high-quality learning spaces close to home.”
The joint-use school facility is set to accommodate up to 500 Regina public students and up to 350 Regina Catholic students, and will provide an additional 90 new childcare spaces with a target opening in fall 2027.
Work at the site, such as roadworks and utility connections, got underway in 2024 in preparation for the school construction.
The company was charged with contravening clause 3-1(a) of the regulations, which means an employer failed to comply with the duties of an employer at a place of employment, including the provision and maintenance of a plant, systems of work and working environments that ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of the employer’s workers, resulting in the death of a worker.
As a result, the court imposed a fine of $17,857.14, along with a surcharge of $7,142.86, for a total amount of $25,000. In addition, Ramage Land & Cattle Company Ltd. will be establishing a $4,500 scholarship through Canadian Western Agribition in honour of the deceased. Further, there will be two educational articles published, including:
an article in the Western Producer detailing the case, the lessons learned, the steps taken and the resources available for the agricultural sector
The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on Aug. 23, 2023, near Walpole, Sask. A worker drowned as a result of entering a dugout on horseback.
The Government of Saskatchewan (GOS) has received several environmental certifications and awards from the Saskatchewan Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), which recognizes excellence in building performance and sustainability.
BOMA BEST (Building Environmental Standards) is one of Canada’s largest environmental assessment and certification programs for existing buildings. It recognizes excellence in energy and water use, air quality, tenant comfort and wellness, custodial upkeep, waste management and reflects the dedication and day-to-day efforts of staff who manage, maintain and support government facilities.
“We are pleased to see so many Government of Saskatchewan properties receiving these environmental certifications,” SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister David Marit said. “This reflects the progress we are making under the province’s Prairie Resilience Climate Strategy, and our growth plan goals for 2030.”
This year, 11 GOS buildings received BOMA BEST certifications. This includes eight gold and three silver:
Wiciwakan Place in Meadow Lake (Gold)
Regina Provincial Courthouse (Gold)
Paul Dojack Youth Centre (Gold)
Lloyd Place in Regina (Gold)
Government House in Regina (Gold)
McNevin Building in Nipawin (Gold)
Eiling Kramer Building in North Battleford (Gold)
Saskatoon Equipment Repair Depot (Gold)
Melfort Court of Kings Bench (Silver)
E.I. Wood Building in Swift Current (Silver)
Saskatchewan Polytechnic E.A. Davies Building in Saskatoon (Silver)
As part of the BOMA BEST Certification process, eligible buildings also underwent ENERGY STAR assessments. Four government buildings received ENERGY STAR certification based on their scores:
Eiling Kramer Building (score 84) – more efficient than 84 per cent of similar buildings nationwide.
El Wood Building (score 81) – more efficient than 81 per cent of similar buildings nationwide.
Lloyd Place (score 87) – more efficient than 87 per cent of similar buildings nationwide.
Wiciwakan Place (score 91) – more efficient than 91 per cent of similar buildings nationwide.
In addition to these certifications, three government buildings earned BOMA Earth Awards for 2024, presented to buildings that obtained the highest overall BOMA BEST score in each asset class. Recipients of these include the Government House, which was the highest-ranked Universal Building, Lloyd Place for the highest-ranked Office Building and the Saskatoon Equipment Repair Depot, for the highest-ranking light industrial score.
GOS received recognition not only for buildings, but employees as well. The Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement Environmental Manager, Elena Diebel, was awarded the Lloyd Rogers Member of the Year Award and has been nominated nationally for Member of the Year. This award honours a member who has demonstrated leadership, initiative and service to the commercial real estate community.
These certifications are a step towards the Government of Saskatchewan’s Prairie Resilience: A Made-in-Saskatchewan Climate Change Strategy. The work undertaken to receive these awards and certificates answers the strategy’s call for reduced energy consumption in government-owned buildings.
The Government of Saskatchewan remains committed to improving sustainability and taking action on climate change.
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is hosting a high-demand event for professionals from across the construction industry to showcase the tools, strategies and real-world insights they can put to work right away when delivering their next project.
“This is a pivotal time for our industry and the opportunities ahead are endless,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president. “We are delivering this hands-on, skills-based event for the people that are building Canada. This is an opportunity to connect with experts so that we can all build better, faster. With a strong line-up of experts, this event is sure to be a valuable experience for all attendees and raise the standard of excellence even higher for our entire industry.”
From engaging speakers to insightful panel discussions and networking sessions, the program is crafted to help construction professionals solve everyday job site challenges and deliver better project outcomes. Topics will include:
Greener building practices – and how to implement them
Data-driven decision-making from site to office
Project management strategies that deliver results
Equitable procurement and smarter contracting
Collaboration models that break down silos
Post-pandemic innovations that are here to stay
In addition to the value that the program content will provide, all participants will also qualify for accreditation from various professional organizations, including two credits that are valid for construction management professionals applying for Gold Seal Certification or Professional Gold Seal Certification.
“As our country looks to strengthen its economy and build major infrastructure, our industry needs to meet the moment,” said Gilbert. “The Best Practices in Construction Symposium is just one way of ensuring that we’re all operating at our best and rise to the occasion.”
As we approach fall, our minds start to adjust to a regular routine. School begins again, vacationers return from the cottage and our city streets start to get a little more crowded. For our industry, the routine does not change. It has been working hard throughout the season to ensure that road and infrastructure building and maintenance projects are done before winter.
Our industry goes through many ebbs and flows throughout a construction season depending on what level of work and resources have been approved. However, one factor we have little to no control of is the weather. Working through inhospitable conditions is something the heavy construction industry must do to get the job done. Our working timeframes have always been set by mother nature. Our industry relies on many factors to succeed, but the one that remains essential is the grit that heavy construction workers possess.
That is why the SHCA has recently launched a campaign called “Built on Grit.” The campaign highlights the work done by our industry and celebrates those who do the work. Built on Grit shows our industry is resilient and tough. The campaign also touts the benefits of considering a career in the heavy construction industry.
Working in the heavy construction industry is a choice for many, and SHCA, working with our members, makes sure that our workforce is prepared and ready. Even though jobs in our industry can at times be challenging, we want to make sure every worker on a crew is given the best information and guidance to do the job right. Our industry’s investments in training programs and partnerships with educational institutions help address the demand for skilled workers. With the proper guidance and training, our industry workers will show their true grit in getting the job done.
Built on Grit is more than a slogan. It lets people know there is a face behind building the infrastructure that we take for granted every day. It is also an acknowledgment of the toughness and resilience that defines our industry and the people who make it work.
I encourage you to check out our Built on Grit campaign and let us know what you think.
On Aug. 6, the Ministry of Highways provided an update on a partnership with the Rural Municipality (RM) of Prince Albert to cost share paving of the service road south of Prince Albert between Elevator Road and the junction of Highways 2 and 11. The service road will act as a truck route, reducing traffic crossing the median at the intersection of Highway 2 and Elevator Road.
“The Ministry of Highways is continuing to work closely with municipal governments to improve roadways through partnership agreements aimed at providing benefits to local traffic and the economy as a whole,” Highways Minister David Marit said. “Paving this service road will support both the local and provincial economies by fostering growth and improving safety.”
The agreement between the RM and the ministry was signed in the spring. Surfacing work is estimated at $924,000, with the ministry contributing up to 50 per cent of the cost. The Ministry of Highways will perform all maintenance, except for winter maintenance.
“Investing in our road infrastructure is essential for the growth and quality of life in our community,” RM of Prince Albert Reeve Tyrel Tait said. “This project is one of a number of road upgrades the RM is undergoing that will not only improve heavy hauling, but also support local businesses by facilitating better transport routes.”
On Aug. 8, Highways Minister David Marit announced the launch of the new Weekly Orange Zone Construction Update. The Weekly Orange Zone Construction Update will be released every Friday at 10 a.m. This will give motorists access to the most recent changes, as well as information on how to find all Saskatchewan’s ongoing highway construction. Equipped with the most recent information, it will allow motorists to plan the quickest and safest routes to their destinations.
“As I am reaching the halfway point of my province-wide summer road tour, I have been consistently hearing from communities I have visited that they want greater access to construction updates,” Marit said. “With the launch of the Weekly Orange Zone Construction Update, we will be able to highlight all new projects that are starting and show motorists where they can view all the ongoing highway construction in Saskatchewan.”
“Safety is our top priority – not just for the workers on the job, but for every driver passing through a construction zone,” SHCA president Shantel Lipp said. “We urge the public to slow down, stay alert and respect the signage and people working to maintain and build the roads we all rely on. Every cone, every sign and every reduced speed limit exists for one reason: to make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.”
Additional details about key highway projects to help plan safe and efficient travel are available at saskatchewan.ca/orange-zone.
Description of change: The new STP 204-5-1 Handling, Storage and Transportation of Asphalt Concrete Core Samples is intended to streamline the processes and methods use in handling, storage and transportation of core samples, as well as complement STP 204-5 Asphalt Concrete Samples Obtained by Coring.
Description of change: The new Asphalt Concrete Core Samples Chain of Custody Form is intended to improve record keeping for core samples at the time the core is obtained from the road until it reaches the testing laboratory.
A goal in life for many people is to become a homeowner. People save for years to achieve homeownership and once there, it is a great feeling. Not only did you buy something to keep you secure, but you also made an investment in your future.
Unfortunately, homeownership today has become a difficult goal to reach as demand far outpaces supply, and those fortunate enough to be a homeowner know that in order to preserve what they own they have to maintain it or they lose their investment to decay and disrepair.
The same can be said about our infrastructure. Without meeting the demand of new infrastructure from a growing population and economy, investment in the province starts to falter. Without proper upkeep, the roads and bridges that help move our province forward will become broken and nonfunctional.
This past month, our friends at the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (ARHCA) raised the alarm that there is a financial disaster looming for road infrastructure. In their estimation, provincial funding cuts to highways and municipalities, and the impact from inflation, has resulted in a 50 per cent decrease to infrastructure budgets in Alberta.
This is something that is happening across all jurisdictions in Canada, and Saskatchewan in not immune.
The current level of funding for road infrastructure projects versus the level required to meet the demands of growth needs to be properly addressed. Saskatchewan’s population has been growing steadily since 2021, with the most recent estimates showing a population of 1,253,569 as of April 1, 2025. That number reflects an increase of 121,064 people added to the province since 2021.
That number also showcases an increased demand on our highway infrastructure as there are more drivers using our roads and highways year over year. If our roads are not properly maintained from increased usage, then the cost shifts from road rehabilitation to road reconstruction, which is significantly greater. This also puts additional pressure on government to ensure that road-building and maintenance budgets remain consistent with the demand.
The ARHCA also pointed out that cuts to the highway budget have a profound impact on the industry as a whole. By not reaching proper levels of funding, construction projects are deferred, which causes the industry to shed workers. Once projects pick up, those workers are no longer available as they have moved on to other jobs and industries.
This also adds additional pressure to our industry, as companies have to invest in the training of employees who are new to heavy construction. Maintaining an experienced workforce is a challenge for many SHCA members. Keeping a road-building budget in line with the pace of growth will go a long way toward worker retention.
Whether you are a new homeowner, business owner or a province keeping up to growth, the fact remains that investing in the future requires commitment.
