Man sitting at desk wearing white hard hat, holding temples looking at laptop.
by WorkSafe Saskatchewan WorkSafe Saskatchewan

Psychological Health and Safety in Construction

Workplace safety is evolving

Man sitting at desk wearing white hard hat, holding temples looking at laptop.
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In the bustling world of construction, where physical labour and stringent deadlines dominate the landscape, psychological health often takes a backseat. However, recognizing and addressing psychological health issues in the construction industry is not only crucial for the well-being of the workforce, but also for the overall productivity and safety of the industry.

Construction work is inherently demanding, involving long hours, physically strenuous tasks and often dangerous working conditions. Workers face constant pressure to meet tight deadlines, which can lead to high levels of stress. The nature of the job often requires employees to work in harsh environments, endure extreme weather conditions and operate heavy machinery, all of which contributes to physical and mental fatigue.

Moreover, the transient nature of construction projects can disrupt workers’ personal lives, leading to instability and a lack of consistent social support. Frequent relocations and time spent away from family can exacerbate feelings of isolation and loneliness, further impacting psychological health.

Global statistics paint a concerning picture of psychological health in the construction sector. The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual report on occupational injuries revealed a 7.7 per cent increase in construction fatalities and a 13.1 per cent increase in suicides in 2022 over 2021.

In Saskatchewan, from 2014 to 2023, the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) accepted 1,848 workplace psychological injury claims. In 2023, 235 workplace psychological injury claims were accepted, with 181 of those claims being time loss claims. Sadly, there was one fatality in the province, as a result of a psychological injury claim. These alarming trends underscore the urgent need for psychological health and safety awareness and support within the industry.

The implications of poor psychological health extend beyond the individual, affecting the overall efficiency, productivity and safety of construction projects. Psychological health issues can impair concentration, decision-making abilities and overall cognitive function. This can lead to increased errors, safety incidents and injuries on the job site, posing risks not only to the affected worker, but also to their colleagues.

Productivity also suffers when workers are grappling with psychological health challenges. Absenteeism and presenteeism (when employees are physically present, but mentally disengaged) can lead to project delays and increased costs. In an industry where deadlines and budgets are critical, the economic impact of untreated mental health issues can be substantial. One Prince Albert-based general contracting company has been focusing on building their psychological health and safety program.

“We see mental health in the workplace as the next logical step in our health and safety program,” said Keith Bird, internal operations manager at RNF Ventures. “We see this as an important part of the evolution of workplace safety. We just want to be part of it, if not out in front.” Bird says there are challenges to overcome in order to build an effective mental health program in this industry.

One of the biggest barriers to addressing mental health in construction is the stigma associated with it. The industry has long been characterized by a “tough guy” culture, where showing vulnerability is often seen as a sign of weakness. This cultural norm discourages workers from seeking help or even acknowledging their struggles.

“We see this as an important part of the evolution of workplace safety. We just want to be part of it, if not out in front.”

– Keith Bird, RNF Ventures

“I think there’s still a stigma out there. I compare a job crew to a sports team. The days of coaches ruling through fear and intimidation [have come] to an end,” said Bird. “We’re seeing the same thing in our industry. Workers aren’t afraid any longer to ask questions and challenge decisions. That helps eliminate the stigma.”

To combat this stigma, it is essential to foster an environment where mental health is openly discussed and prioritized. Employers and industry leaders must take proactive steps to create a supportive culture that encourages workers to speak up about their mental health without fear of judgment or repercussions.

“[Our] end goal would be that we’d have a situation in our workplace where we would have our guys feel comfortable with the people that they’re working with, or feel that it’s a safe enough space that if they’re having some difficulty, they could say, ‘Hey, you know guys this needs to change,’ or, ‘I need to do something different here.’”

Three years ago, WorkSafe Saskatchewan launched the psychological health and safety program on its website, worksafesask.ca. This program supports employer awareness and development of psychological health and safety knowledge.

In 2023, WorkSafe Saskatchewan launched its first community of practice for the construction industry in collaboration with Dr. Joti Samra of My Workplace Health and Merit Contractor Association. The group met every month in 2023 and used resources available through WorkSafe Saskatchewan to support RNF Ventures and another Saskatchewan construction company in developing an action plan to address key psychological health and safety issues in their organizations.

The WCB’s prevention team supported a research study in partnership with Ian Lewis, an occupational therapist and employee well-being practitioner based in Regina. The research published in Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences (frontiersin.org/journals/rehabilitation-sciences) in March 2024 identified powerlessness in a subtheme, “I’m not the same as I was, but I really don’t have a choice but to work.” One participant expressed this powerlessness as “my opinion and experience didn’t really factor in when I was on my road to wellness.” Study participants indicated that co-worker, supervisor and employer-level characteristics play an important role in helping workers return to work. Worker input into a return-to-work plan is critical to psychological well-being.

Bird says that the psychological health and safety program gives RNF Ventures a competitive advantage in the industry. “Our hope is that it makes our company better and … makes it a better place to work and … maybe that’s one of the reasons that we get a new hire,” he said.

The construction industry, with its unique set of challenges, cannot afford to overlook the importance of mental health. By breaking the stigma, implementing effective mental health initiatives and fostering a supportive work environment, the industry can not only improve the well-being of its workforce, but also enhance productivity and safety. It is time for the construction sector to build a foundation of mental health awareness and support, ensuring a healthier and more resilient future for all its workers.

“The communication alone that’s going on around mental health within the industry … it’s top of mind with lots of industry organizations,” Bird said. “You see people talking about it [and] that’s a big first step and I think I think we’re moving in the right direction.”

WorkSafe Saskatchewan is developing a mental health awareness campaign for the province, with a focus on supporting leadership to work toward reducing the stigma of mental health in the workplace. To learn more about the psychological health and safety supports that WorkSafe Saskatchewan offers, go to worksafesask.ca/resources/psych-health-safety-resource-centre.

SARM / Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
by Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities

Run for Municipal Council

Six common misbeliefs that can (but shouldn’t) prevent people from running

SARM / Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities

If you live in rural Saskatchewan, chances are you’ve met or chatted with a local member of council. That’s probably because you know them as the cattle rancher who lives down the road, the teacher who taught you in high school or as one of the hockey moms you see at the arena on Saturday mornings.

Have you ever thought of being that councillor yourself? We’re hoping the answer is “yes.” Before you likely follow that “yes” with a “but,” consider this: most of the hesitations people have about running for council have to do with outdated stereotypes and flat-out myths.

To help dispel those, here are the facts behind six common misbeliefs that can (but shouldn’t) prevent people from running for council.

1. “I’m not an expert on municipal government.”

You don’t have to be. In fact, what’s more important than any expertise is that you care about your community and are willing to learn. After all, a municipality is the “frontline” level of government, which means it’s as much about people and advocacy as it is about policies.

Care can’t be taught, but the ins and outs of municipal council certainly can.

2. “I don’t have any political experience.”

That’s okay. Chances are you already have a lot of skills and abilities that are transferable to the elected official’s role. For example, think about your volunteer experience, community involvement, family life and any other practical experiences that have taught you how to work as part of a team, make decisions, look at both sides of an issue, prioritize, advocate and lead.

3. “I’m more of a listener than a talker.”

Being a good listener is actually one of the most important traits that a councillor can have. Council members are entrusted with making decisions that directly affect the daily lives of residents, families, local business owners and many others in the community. That trust begins with listening and learning.

Other important personality traits are honesty, patience, empathy, trustworthiness, curiosity, objectivity, respectfulness and optimism.

4. “It seems like a big time commitment.”

Being a councillor is a four-year commitment. It’s important not to underestimate the amount of time and dedication required to be an effective member of council, especially if you’re also managing a full-time job.

The good news is that you’re probably already meeting with your community and spending a lot of time thinking about the issues and changes that affect you and your neighbours. When you’re a councillor, that time simply becomes more structured. For example, if elected, you should plan to attend:

  • Regular and special council meetings and
  • Committee meetings and
  • Conferences and conventions and
  • Seminars and workshops and
  • Special events that promote your municipality

5. “I’m more community-minded than political.”

Guess what? That sounds like a councillor. Do you love that sense of community and the neighbours-help-neighbours philosophy that’s entrenched in rural Saskatchewan? Do you want to see our farmers, ranchers and entire agriculture sector prosper?

If the answer is “yes,” we hope you can also see that Saskatchewan needs community-minded citizens like you to represent your municipality and provide insights that will lead to better services and quality of life for the communities you champion.

6. “It doesn’t seem like I’d fit in.”

We’re pretty sure that’s code for: “I don’t see myself represented when I look at local councillors.”

Well, that’s something we want to change. Representation absolutely matters. As a councillor, your lived experience and unique background are strengths, not weaknesses. So, if you don’t see councillors that are your age, or gender, or that have your disability or unique point of view, don’t let that stop you from seeking election. Saskatchewan needs citizens like you to assume leadership roles and to shine light on the blind spots and opportunities that you see so sharply.

To answer more of your questions, including how and when to file your nomination, head to saskatchewan.ca to read “Running for Municipal Council.”

Make the difference only you can make. Run for municipal government! 

Municipal Government 101

  • Rural municipalities are governed by a council, consisting of a reeve and councillors who represent a numbered division within the rural municipality.
  • That council derives its authority from The Municipalities Act, The Cities Act and The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010.
  • A councillor’s main role is to make decisions and establish policies about the services that a municipality provides to its citizens, including how those services will be delivered.

SARM Will Be There to Help

Once elected to council, SARM will always be there to help councillors with their duties. SARM has resources such as training programs, webinars and mentor groups, to name a few. So, remember: your wins are our wins, and together we’ll make rural Saskatchewan stronger.

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Watch an informative video on local government recruitment from SARM

Blur image of traffic jam in the city
by SHCA SHCA

55 New Projects Receive Funding Through Provincial Traffic Safety Fund

Blur image of traffic jam in the city

Grants totalling more than $1.3 million have been awarded to 55 projects that will improve traffic safety in 49 communities across Saskatchewan.

The grants are coming from the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund, helping to fund projects that focus on different aspects of traffic and pedestrian safety, including:

  • Installation of artwork by youth on Cote First Nation as an effort to prevent impaired driving;
  • Addition of speed display signs, speed bumps and signage to improve traffic safety around intersections in Arcola; and
  • Installation of pedestrian crossing signs in Moose Jaw to improve safety for vulnerable road users.

“I am thrilled to see communities benefit from the Traffic Safety Fund with projects that will make Saskatchewan streets safer,” Minister responsible for SGI Dustin Duncan said. “I would like to thank those who submitted applications and encourage all municipalities to consider applying for traffic safety projects in their communities.”

Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants range from $1,148 to $100,000. The maximum amount of funding municipalities and Indigenous lands or territories can apply for is $100,000. Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants are awarded to communities twice a year, using proceeds from Photo Speed Enforcement. With this latest round of grants, $11.5 million has been provided through the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund since its establishment in 2019.

Applications are currently being accepted for the next round of funding. The application deadline is Sept. 30, 2024. Eligible traffic safety initiatives must focus on one of the following priority areas: speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, vulnerable road users, medically-at-risk drivers, occupant protection and intersection safety. 

Applications are reviewed by a committee made up of representatives from the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the Prince Albert Grand Council, the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Highways and SGI.

River Landing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
by SHCA SHCA

SaskWater Infrastructure Projects in 2023-24 Bolster Economic Growth and Development in Saskatchewan

SaskWater finished the 2023-24 fiscal year with solid financial results, including $8.7 million in net income, up from $8.6 million the previous year.

Of the Crown corporation’s $87 million investment in capital projects, the most significant initiative was the Regina regional non-potable water supply system. SaskWater and its local contractor completed installation of 65 kilometres of pipeline between Regina and Belle Plaine in 2023, joining the new transmission system to existing water supply infrastructure. 

“Our government is committed to growing Saskatchewan’s economy, and SaskWater has furthered this goal by significantly expanding the type of infrastructure that fuels investment,” Minister responsible for SaskWater Dustin Duncan said. “Supporting industry will help us grow our population, create more jobs and establish a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan people.”

The pipeline is positioned to serve several value-added agriculture projects announced for the Regina area. The system’s phased construction design allows additional capacity to be added as customer demand grows, helping SaskWater provide timely and competitive services. 

SaskWater also contributed to the province’s goal to expand irrigation in Saskatchewan. SaskWater collaborated with the Water Security Agency to expand irrigation service along its Saskatoon southeast water supply system. The canal system currently serves three potash mines and provides irrigation to 20,000 acres of land. In 2023-24, SaskWater expanded its irrigated acres by 3,000 and gained approval to grow that number to 7,700, with a total of 15,000 acres identified for irrigation expansion by 2026-27. SaskWater also looks forward to providing service to SaskPower’s new Aspen gas-fired power plant, set to come online in 2027. 

In partnership with a start-up Saskatchewan tech company, SaskWater implemented a new service offering for communities that require occasional or temporary assistance with troubleshooting or staffing of their water and wastewater facilities. Through this partnership, SaskWater is well positioned to help smaller communities that could benefit from its experience and expertise.

“We look forward to building relationships and trust with municipalities across Saskatchewan,” SaskWater President and CEO Doug Matthies said. “In doing so, we hope that these new partners will look to SaskWater should they need broader solutions down the road, particularly in terms of potential regional benefits.”

SaskWater recorded its highest ever customer satisfaction rating in 2023-24, with a score of 8.5 out of ten. A total of 92.5 per cent of customers surveyed reported satisfaction with SaskWater services with several significant customer water supply agreements being renewed and extended over the long-term.

In order to maintain and improve these standards of service delivery, SaskWater implemented innovations in technology in the areas of customer sales and service, GIS mapping and safety. An added emphasis on operator training with tools such as drones and remotely operated vehicles also expands the services SaskWater can provide to its customers.

SaskWater owns nine water treatment plants, three wastewater facilities, 136.94 kilometres of canal and 1,055 kilometres of pipeline currently in service.

Drop, To appreciate the value of water.
by SHCA SHCA

After Calgary’s Water Crisis, a Globe Analysis Finds Trouble Brewing in Canada’s Pipes

“We’ve got really aging infrastructure in all of our cities that is 50 to 100 years old that needs replacement – and we put it off,” said Robert Haller, executive director of the Canadian Water & Wastewater Association, which advocates the federal government on behalf of municipal water agencies.

“It’s almost like gambling. Each year, you roll the dice, and you hope you’ll get another year out of your infrastructure. But at some point, you have to replace it. It’s always cheaper to plan a replacement than to let it collapse.”

Click here to read article.

The Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the City of Regina. Regina is the provincial capital of Saskatchewan, Canada.
by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba Continue Collaboration on the Joint Memorandum of Understanding

Ministers for highways and transportation in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba met on July 4 in Saskatoon to continue work to strengthen economic corridors that support Canada’s supply chains. It has been a year since a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the three provinces.

The MOU commits the partners to jointly working to improve our shared transportation system, to ensure the strength and competitiveness of the Prairie provinces.

Over the past year, the focus has been on regulatory harmonization, advocacy and regional planning. These priorities will continue with additional work on improving multi-modal transport infrastructure for the efficient movement of exports and imports.

The provinces are working on co-ordinated improvements that benefit the entire region, and they link producers more efficiently to markets across the globe. They are creating a prairie regional economic corridor to guide strategic investments in transportation. 

“By keeping the momentum of the Prairies MOU going, we can continue to improve western economic corridors that will enable the efficient movement of Prairie exports and imports to and from markets around the world,” Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen said.

“For Saskatchewan people, improving transportation efficiency with initiatives like these supports our strong and growing export-based economy,” Saskatchewan Highways Minister Lori Carr said. “A strategic approach helps the province invest in key services and helps build and protect our quality of life.”

Saskatchewan has achieved its Growth Plan pledge to increase exports by 50 per cent. The province continues to expand export infrastructure to increase the mobility of Saskatchewan’s products to international markets over the next decade. Exports support a vibrant business community and ensure an improving quality of life for Saskatchewan people.

Seventy per cent of Saskatchewan’s economy is dependent on exports. In 2023, Saskatchewan exported $49.3 billion in goods. Saskatchewan goods reached 163 countries, with 32 of those countries receiving over $100 million in provincial exports.

SHCA The Interchange - Default background
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

SHCA Backs Construction Industry

Shantel Lipp - Portrait

It would be hard for any Canadian to not notice the conversation around housing construction. 

Cities in our province, like every other province in the country, have seen their populations grow while the growth of housing stock has not kept up with demand. The need for housing in Canada has been a major concern over the last few years, with report after report coming out about this challenge.   

Like many in Saskatchewan’s heavy construction industry, I am paying attention to this topic because this issue is about more than residential construction. The infrastructure necessary for this housing will be built by our industry because our members build more than roads. 

Major projects are underway in Saskatchewan cities to address the underground infrastructure before revitalizing the surface infrastructure. The Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA) is there to support the heavy construction companies working on those projects. 

Municipal leaders in our province are describing the strain they are under as they are asked to make decisions around upgrading infrastructure in their communities and securing the necessary funding to complete these projects.  

As our cities grow, we are seeing councils having to make decisions about updating aging infrastructure while also looking at expanding that infrastructure to ensure all residents receive the municipal services they require at their homes and businesses. Councils also face conflicting perspectives when it comes to infill construction, with some pushing to build multi-unit developments in existing neighbourhoods where there already is infrastructure, while others resist such changes to their neighbourhoods.  

The push for infill housing is led by the federal government, which is offering cities tens of millions of dollars through its $6 billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund. Of this, $1 billion is being distributed to cities for urgent infrastructure needs such as improving wastewater, stormwater and solid waste systems.  

To many Canadians, that $1 billion sounds like a lot of money, but when you look at Regina as an example, it puts that amount into context. In early July, Mayor Sandra Masters said the city’s infrastructure has been “chronically underfunded” as council considered the Water Network Expansion, a critical project already underway to build a new pump station, plus two additional storage reservoirs that are necessary to supply water to Regina’s growing east end. Masters says  Regina has “a billion-dollar infrastructure problem.” 

A recent report by the Canadian Urban Institute plainly states that a plan to build homes must also factor in the need for water, wastewater, roads, transit, power-distribution infrastructure and more. In the introduction of A Jump Start: Providing Infrastructure for More Housing, the report makes it clear why we can’t discuss one without the other. “Bluntly speaking, any new housing needs toilets and tap-water,” the report states. 

This report says that in fast-growing parts of Canada, the cost of providing a full range of infrastructure likely exceeds $100,000 per home over time. It also says that the cost of infrastructure to serve 5.8 million new homes in Canada over the next decade exceeds anything existing municipal fiscal arrangements could support. 

Municipal governments receive less than 10 cents of each tax dollar collected in Canada, the report says, while municipalities own and operate most of the public infrastructure. That is why all three levels of government have a history of sharing the cost of this infrastructure through capital grants or lending programs. 

The SHCA maintains excellent relations and access to all levels of government. We are in regular communication with MPs, MLAs, ministers, mayors and councillors to put forward our members’ interests. 

We maintain these relationships not just to bring forward concerns. We also offer solutions to elected officials and bureaucrats. Our members have very valuable insights into the projects these governments undertake, and we offer recommendations on how to be more efficient and effective in these projects.  

Being an SHCA member is the most effective way for a heavy construction company to be heard by all three levels of government. SHCA members do so without the risk of standing alone as they deliver what can sometimes be difficult messages to deliver. The message coming from industry – as opposed to a single company – can have more impact.  

There are some difficult days ahead for these governments who are being asked to deliver more to taxpayers who are not agreeable to paying more. The Canadian Urban Institute recommends four measures to help municipalities pay for this necessary infrastructure. The first is moving from pre-payment to secured payment for infrastructure over its useful life. The second is ensuring all beneficiaries contribute to infrastructure’s cost over time. The third is reducing municipalities’ infrastructure financial risks and limitations by using innovative financial models and private capital. The fourth and final recommendation is to tailor infrastructure financing models to the fiscal risks and realities of Canada’s small, rural and remote municipalities. 

Knowing what other organizations are proposing to the government that can potentially impact our industry is also important. This helps the SHCA  keep members informed, but it also allows us to find opportunities to build relationships with organizations to present a united front on issues we have in common. 

We saw this with the Western Canada Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA) working with the Canada West Foundation and the Canadian Construction Association to get the Shovel Worthy report in front of and seriously considered by governments. SHCA members are automatically also members of the WCR&HCA and the Canadian Construction Association, who collaborated with the Business Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to advocate for a nation-building strategy that would invest in Canada’s trade corridors to enable and harness trade-based economic growth.  

I look forward to hearing from all SHCA members about the different types of projects you work on in various parts of our province. I want to understand the challenges and successes you are experiencing so we as an association can support your needs and interests because it is likely your company is not alone in its experience. When it comes to municipal infrastructure, I will continue to maintain my connections and keep listening to the conversation out there so I can advocate to the best of my ability on your behalf. 

Yellow hard hat
by SHCA SHCA

Company Fined $325,000 for Workplace Injury and Fatality

Yellow hard hat
kardaska/123rf

On May 14, 2024, Spiritwood Stockyards (1984) Ltd. pleaded guilty in Spiritwood Provincial Court to two violations of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.

The company was fined for contravening subsection 7-6 (1) of the regulations (being an employer fail where there is a risk of injury to the head of a worker to provide approved industrial protective headwear and require a worker to use it, resulting in the serious injury of a worker), as well as contravening subsection 9-2 (2) of the regulations (being an employer fail to ensure that workers use a fall protection system at a temporary or permanent work area if a worker may fall three metres or more; or there is a possibility of injury if a worker falls less than three metres, resulting in the death of a worker).

The Court imposed a total fine of $232,142.86 with a surcharge of $92,857.14, for a total amount of $325,000. Five other charges were withdrawn.

The charges stemmed from two separate incidents that occurred near Spiritwood, Saskatchewan. The first occurred on November 11, 2021, where a worker was struck by a gate and seriously injured while attempting to load bulls onto a trailer.

The second incident occurred on January 26, 2022, where a worker was fatally injured while attempting to clear snow off a roof when the worker fell through a fiberglass skylight.

The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety works with employers and workers to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through education, intervention and enforcement.

Farmer looking at equipment with sun setting in background
by SHCA SHCA

Water Security Agency Investing $1 Million in Water Infrastructure Projects to Provide a Sustainable Future for Northern Saskatchewan

Farmer looking at equipment with sun setting in background
pavelshlykov/123rf

The Water Security Agency (WSA) is working on key water infrastructure projects stretching from the Prince Albert to Meadow Lake regions. These projects are within three Northern Saskatchewan watersheds, the Churchill River Watershed, Saskatchewan River Watershed and North Saskatchewan River Watershed.

The projects include:

  • Cowan Lake Dam structure replacement
  • Candle Lake Dam structure and stoplog upgrades
  • Christopher Lake outlet structure

“A sustainable and reliable water supply is fundamental and is especially important in Northern Saskatchewan,” WSA Minister David Marit said. “As Northern Saskatchewan continues to grow, and we see increased water demands – maintaining our infrastructure is critical to continue to meet the social, environmental and economic needs for all users in these regions, including our Indigenous communities and rural municipalities.”

More than $1 million is being invested into these three projects in 2024-25. 

The Cowan Lake structure replacement, east of Meadow Lake, is the largest of the three projects. This year, WSA will begin work on the detailed design of the new Cowan Lake Dam, which will include an upgraded dam, replacing the control structure and a riffle fishway approximately 35 metres upstream of the existing structure. This is a multi-year project and is currently in the procurement stage. 

North of Prince Albert, the Candle Lake Dam project is concluding safety upgrades to improve the operating conditions of the structure for safety to both WSA operators and the public, as well as a pedestrian walkway to provide the public dedicated space to cross the structure. WSA also installed a new system for lifting bulkheads and upgraded the fishway inlet structure. The total investment for this project is $2 million.

“A sustainable and reliable water supply is fundamental and is especially important in northern Saskatchewan.”

– David Marit, Water Security Agency

Southwest of Candle Lake, WSA replaced the control structure at the Christopher Lake outlet with a precast concrete structure. This will allow the structure to be operated more safely and efficiently for WSA operations staff and includes public safety fencing and guardrails. The total investment for this project is $800,000. Wrap up activities are progressing.

These projects were identified as a priority as part of the 10-Year Rolling Infrastructure Rehabilitation Plan – part of WSA’s effort to advance priority maintenance projects for the long-term safety and security of citizens of this province. 

WSA is investing more than $42 million in 2024-25 to advance more than 60 key water infrastructure projects with a focus on ensuring Saskatchewan’s infrastructure supports a sustainable, adaptable and reliable water supply. Since 2012, WSA has invested nearly $255M in the province’s water management infrastructure.