Construction protective wear on wooden desk
by SHCA SHCA

Two Companies Fined in Workplace Incident Causing Serious Injury to a Worker

On Oct. 22, 2024, Strathcona Resources Ltd. pleaded guilty in Kindersley Provincial Court to one violation of The Saskatchewan Employment Act and related to the same incident, Steel View Energy & Industrial Services Ltd. pleaded guilty to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.

Strathcona Resources Ltd. was fined for contravening clause 3-12 (a) (ii) of the Act. As a result, the court imposed a fine of $60,714.29 with a surcharge of $24,285.71 for a total amount of $85,000. One other charge was withdrawn.

Steel View Energy & Industrial Services Ltd. was fined for contravening clause 3-1 (a) of the regulations (being 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 at work of the employer’s workers, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).

The court imposed a fine of $39,285.71 with a surcharge of $15,714.29, for a total amount of $55,000.

The charges for both companies stemmed from a single incident that occurred on Dec. 5, 2022, near Major, Sask., when a worker was seriously injured when they were struck by an ejection clamp.

Two young female artisans using an angle grinder in their workshop.
by SHCA SHCA

Skilled Trade and Technology Week Proclaimed in Saskatchewan

The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed Nov. 3-9, 2024, as Skilled Trade and Technology Week in Saskatchewan. Supported by Skills Canada Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC), the week highlights the career opportunities in the skilled trade and technology sectors, and aligns with National Skilled Trade and Technology Week, proclaimed by Skills/Compétences Canada.

To celebrate the week, Skills Canada Saskatchewan is hosted a networking breakfast, followed by a skills fair on Thursday, Nov. 7 at Campus Regina Public. Middle years and high school students were invited to learn about available post-secondary and career opportunities in these fields. 

Careers in trades and technology provide many opportunities for Saskatchewan youth. Educators were invited to explore a number of activities with their students to learn more, including connecting with Skills Canada Saskatchewan to host Trade and Tech Days at their school, inviting apprentices, journeypersons and other industry representatives into their classrooms to deliver presentations or administering the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) program. 

Developed and overseen by the SATCC, SYA enhances students’ understanding of apprenticeship and careers in the skilled trades through 12 activities, including researching and writing a report on a designated trade, interviewing a journeyperson and attending a career fair. Students who register as apprentices in Saskatchewan within five years of program completion receive 300 trade time hours and the waiver of their apprenticeship registration fee and Level 1 technical training tuition.

House of parliament building
by SHCA SHCA

Canada’s Construction Leaders Call on the Federal Government to Address Labour Shortages, Outdated Policies and Investment Gaps

A strong and healthy construction sector is the key to a solid Canadian economy, but outdated procurement strategies, labour shortages and a lack of adequate investment are preventing the industry from realizing its full potential. On Nov. 19, 2024, construction leaders from across the country headed to Parliament Hill to advocate for urgent intervention from the federal government.

As part of the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) annual Hill Day, Canada’s construction industry called on the federal government to:

  • Invest in long-term infrastructure, with a focus on housing, transportation and trade-enabling projects.
  • Grow the construction workforce to address critical labour shortages.
  • Modernize procurement processes and cut unnecessary red tape.

Construction contributes $162 billion annually to Canada’s GDP and employs over 1.6 million Canadians. Supporting construction means supporting job creation, trade, critical infrastructure, productivity and growth.

“It’s not promises that build the economy – it’s construction. It drives growth, creates jobs and builds and maintains the essential infrastructure we all depend on,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president. “To secure Canada’s future, we need to invest in infrastructure, expand our workforce and modernize procurement. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Canada.”

Canada’s builders are asking for substantial changes in how the federal government approaches infrastructure investment, workforce development, and procurement. By cutting red tape, collaborating on a long-term vision for infrastructure, and addressing labour challenges, we can deliver the projects Canadians need for a stronger future.

SHCA The Interchange - Default background
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Register for the SHCA Infrastructure Summit & Trade Show!

Shantel Lipp - Portrait

I am very excited that our second SHCA Infrastructure Summit & Trade Show will take place in Regina early next month on Dec. 4-5, 2024, at the Delta Hotel and Convention Centre. 

Once again, we are bringing together contractors, suppliers, engineers and other professionals to learn, share and explore the latest knowledge in the heavy construction industry. 

Growing from the success of last year, we will have two full days of informative sessions related to the heavy construction industry, information sharing among members and colleagues and a trade show to keep SHCA members up to date on innovations within the industry. 

Day 1 will include keynote speaker Michelle Ray. Ray is an entrepreneur, author and educator who is one of the most sought-after international speakers on leadership and change. 

This year’s sessions span issues facing our industry with a strong focus on innovation and new technology. Attendees will hear from industry leaders talking about the latest technology that can be applied to our industry to move it into the next generation of building our infrastructure. 

Topics such as applying AI to the construction industry, the evolution of construction technology, understanding the deployment of carbon capture and storage practices are a few areas that will be covered. 

Topics of practical application for the industry will also be front and center for attendees to learn from and join in on the conversation.  

The second SHCA Infrastructure Summit & Trade Show has an exciting line up of guest speakers representing all aspects of the industry who will bring their unique insight on the future of infrastructure work.  

We will hear from David Elwood from the University of Saskatchewan on soil mechanics and Daniel Anvari from Capilano University on the use of AI in the construction industry. Anvari is an expert on AI startups, driving innovation in AI applications for business including AI-driven innovation in civil construction, smart city infrastructure management and project planning, procurement and delivery. Another guest speaker will be Marcello Lirusso from Caterpillar Inc. Lirusso will speak on paving principles and techniques, to name a few. 

It will be an exciting and busy two days of informative sessions along with the trade show of over twenty-five exhibitors showcasing a wide variety of items related to the industry. 

There is still time to sign up for one of the most important annual events for our industry in Saskatchewan. For registration and more information on the SHCA Infrastructure Summit & Trade Show, go to saskheavy.ca/events. 

I look forward to seeing SHCA members there!

Silhouette of Engineer and worker checking project at construction site, building site with blurred sunset sky in evening time background
by SHCA SHCA

Company Fined $70,000 for Workplace Injury

On Oct. 2, 2024, Denovo Window & Door Inc. pleaded guilty in Saskatoon Provincial Court to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.

The company was fined for contravening 9-2 (2) (b) of the regulations (being an employer or contractor failed to ensure that workers use a fall protection system at a temporary or permanent work area where there is a possibility of injury if a worker falls less than three metres, resulting in the serious injury of a worker). As a result, the court imposed a fine of $50,0000 with a surcharge of $20,000, for a total amount of $70,000.

Three other charges were withdrawn.

The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on Nov. 15, 2022, in Saskatoon, Sask. when a worker was seriously injured when they fell from a scaffold.

Construction site work in progress with machines
by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan Delays Adoption of Tier 3 Energy Efficiency Standards to January 2026

Ensuring a better quality of life for Saskatchewan people is a team effort, which includes our residents, communities, businesses and building industries. The Government of Saskatchewan values input from stakeholders when planning for growth, including an effective regulatory structure and safe, healthy, habitable and energy efficient buildings.

As a result, the Ministry of Government Relations is delaying the implementation of Tier 3 energy efficiency in buildings across Saskatchewan by one year, to January 2026. 

“An additional year to implement the next tier in energy efficiency allows our industry partners to have the time and tools needed to ensure the best possible builds,” Government Relations Minister Don McMorris said. “This will maintain Saskatchewan’s competitiveness with other provinces while maintaining affordability for residents.”

In January 2024, Saskatchewan adopted the 2020 edition of the National Building Code (NBC) by regulation under The Construction Codes Act. These regulations involved the implementation of Tier 2 and Tier 3 energy-efficiency requirements on Jan. 1, 2024, and Jan. 1, 2025, respectively in new-build construction across Saskatchewan. The energy efficiency tiers of the NBC only apply to residential buildings of three storeys or less in building height, having a building area not exceeding 600 metres squared.

To learn more about Saskatchewan’s building code regulations, visit: saskatchewan.ca.

Yellow hardhat and old leather gloves
by SHCA SHCA

Company Fined $125,000 for Workplace Injury

On Oct. 10, 2024, Bakke Contracting Ltd. pleaded guilty in Moose Jaw Provincial Court to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.

The company was fined for contravening clause 3-1 (a) of the regulations (being an employer at a place of employment failed to provide and maintain of a plant, systems of work and working environments that ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety and welfare at work of the employer’s workers, resulting in a serious injury to a worker). As a result, the court imposed a fine of $89,285.71 with a surcharge of $35,714.29, for a total amount of $125,000.

Four other charges were withdrawn.

The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on Feb. 20, 2023, near Brownlee, Sask. when a worker was seriously injured when they fell from an elevated platform.

SARM logo
by SHCA SHCA

Driving Our Roads into the Ground: SARM Calls for More Funding to Aid in Disintegrating Roads and Bridges

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) has called for increased funding for rural roads and bridges. These pieces of infrastructure are not only the lifeline for thousands of municipal residents who travel them daily, they also help drive our rural economy by supporting oil and gas, agriculture, mining and other natural resource sectors. Without further aid, the roads and bridges in rural Saskatchewan will continue to deteriorate with significant economic and social consequences.

Rural municipalities (RMs) in the province are responsible for 164,000 kilometres of roads, Canada’s largest road network. Roads in the province connect our rural population to urban centres, transport essential supplies, export goods and more. These busy roads require regular upkeep, maintenance and ongoing building and re-building. In addition, RMs are responsible for 1,280 bridge structures. Unfortunately, years of use have led to 60 per cent of rural bridges at or beyond their expected service lifespan and needing replacement to avoid safety hazards or disrupting the transportation of goods.

“The Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program provides funding for RMs to support rural road construction, bridge construction, culvert installation and maintaining eligible roads at primary weights. The RIRG program is funded by the Ministry of Highways, administered by SARM, and right now every RM has a laundry list of roads and bridges that are in serious need of repair or rebuild,” said Bill Huber, acting president of SARM.

The cost of building a bridge per square foot increased by 36 per cent between 2010 and 2020 and another 25 per cent between 2020 and 2022. Road construction costs have also increased, resulting in a sharp rise in project withdrawals, deeply impacting RMs. Funding for the RIRG program has steadily decreased over the years from $25M in 2009-2014 to $15M from 2015-2023. While SARM was pleased to see a modest increase in funding in the 2024/2025 program year (to $17.4M), funding for this essential program continues to lag behind the great infrastructure needs among the RMs.

“Government’s infrastructure spending must keep up with inflation. The civil construction industry needs and has been asking for a long-term, serious commitment to build and maintain our provincial road network. The industry continues to see increased expenses in escalating costs for fuel, materials and labour, while the base spending on infrastructure capital remains relatively unchanged. Inflationary costs reflected in bid pricing that isn’t adequately addressed through realistic infrastructure funding leads to less projects tendered, which creates further financial uncertainty for the industry, it becomes a vicious circle,” said Shantel Lipp, president of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association.

SHCA The Interchange - Default background
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Priorities for New Government

Shantel Lipp - Portrait

Our Saskatchewan election is almost over.

When the government convenes this fall, whoever they may be, I will be working to ensure Saskatchewan’s urgent infrastructure issues are top of mind.

Here are some specific things I will be immediately communicating to all MLAs, ensuring they understand our issues as they put together their new legislative agenda:

  • Last month, the SHCA joined Insightrix Research, a Saskatchewan research company, to gauge where issues impacting the heavy construction industry register in the minds of Saskatchewan residents.
  • Healthcare, education, cost of living and the economy are the top priorities for most Saskatchewan residents. However, right behind these, infrastructure and road safety improvements are major concerns – especially because they are directly linked to economic growth.
  • Saskatchewan residents know that robust infrastructure fuels a thriving economy by ensuring safe and efficient transportation and that our residents need to safely travel across the province.
  • Most agree that the provincial highway system has gotten worse over the past 10 years and 63 per cent believe the government must increase its investment in road repairs.
  • Research also indicates that 53 per cent of Saskatchewan residents support increasing spending to improve northern roads. Other findings of the research included:
    • 79 per cent agree Saskatchewan based companies should be given preference to work on provincial and municipal infrastructure projects.
    • 72 per cent agree road construction should be 24-hour projects due to our limited construction season.
    • 89 per cent agree that unused funds for construction projects should be carried over to be used in the next construction year.

Our research also indicated that Saskatchewan residents believe municipalities should be committing more resources to local infrastructure projects:

  • SARM, representing rural municipalities, puts infrastructure at the top of its list of priorities for the next government.
  • SARM represents rural municipalities who are responsible for 164,000 kilometres of roads and 1,280 bridges, 60 per cent of which are at, or beyond, their lifespan.
  • The organization says bridge building costs increased by 36 per cent per square foot between 2010 and 2020 and increased another 25 per cent between 2020 and 2022.
  • As SARM and the SHCA know, government funding is not keeping up with the needs or inflation.

Without adequate rural infrastructure our oil and gas, agriculture, mining and other natural resource sectors will suffer bringing our economy significant consequences.

The consequences of rural residents not being able to safely travel are also dire.

SUMA, representing urban municipalities, says increasing infrastructure spending is critical:

  • SUMA is responsible for over 60 per cent of public infrastructure.
  • Considering inflation, there isn’t enough revenue coming in for municipalities to maintain this infrastructure.
  • SUMA wants to see government go increase and create new revenue streams for urban municipalities to maintain infrastructure.
  • SUMA would also like property assessments simplified, with more frequent assessments, so municipalities can properly fund infrastructure.

Our main messages for the new government are:

  • SHCA members continue to see escalating costs for fuel, materials and labour, while the base spending for urban and rural infrastructure remains relatively unchanged. This can’t continue.
  • Inflationary costs reflected in bid pricing that isn’t adequately addressed through realistic infrastructure funding leads to less projects tendered, which creates further financial uncertainty for the industry and impacts the health of the Saskatchewan economy.
  • Our research shows Saskatchewan people support increased government funding for infrastructure. Our municipalities say it is critical.