Flashing pedestrian crossing signs in Estevan, a crosswalk in Lampman and streetlights on the Red Earth Cree Nation are among the road safety enhancements that will be delivered using funding provided in the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund’s latest round of grants.
Sixty-two projects in 61 Saskatchewan communities will receive grants, totalling nearly $1.54 million. Grants in this round range from $853 to $100,000. “The Government of Saskatchewan and SGI are committed to delivering safer roads for everyone in Saskatchewan,” Minister Responsible for SGI Jeremy Harrison said. “This $1.5 million in provincial grants will enable 61 municipalities and First Nations throughout our province to deliver enhancements to traffic safety in their communities.”
Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants are awarded to communities twice a year, using proceeds from photo speed enforcement. A total of $14.55 million has been awarded to 918 projects in Saskatchewan since the program was established in 2019. Eligible projects must focus on one or more of these traffic safety priorities: speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, occupant protection, intersection safety, aggressive driving, vulnerable road users or medically-at-risk drivers.
Applications are now being accepted for the next round of funding. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30, 2025. For more information and for the full list of approved projects, visit SGI’s website: https://sgi.sk.ca/community-grants-programs.
The dust has settled on the April federal election and now is the time for our elected representatives to get to work. The campaign saw many issues discussed by party leaders and their candidates with varying opinions from all sides of the political spectrum. All campaigns experience competing interests and some voices are heard over others.
The heavy construction industry was one of those voices. Much like the Canadian electorate, our industry is at a crossroads. Will the future of Canadian infrastructure expand for the economy to grow? What does the result of the federal election mean for projects in Western Canada and, more importantly, for Saskatchewan?
During the campaign, there were many discussions on ways to advance the Canadian economy while, at the same time, becoming less reliant on the United States. The ebbs and flows of the tariff threats continue to have an impact on how we do business across the country and here in Saskatchewan.
As an industry, we continue to advocate for long-term strategic funding for infrastructure that guarantees good jobs, safe roads and economic growth.
Rather than looking south, Canada has started to look east and west to create opportunities by removing barriers that create stagnation in economic growth. All sectors are looking at ways to create solutions that bring mobility across the country on vital projects required to keep our economy on track.
Our industry adapts to change quickly, and the challenges facing it due to the tariff issue was one that we took on. The heavy construction industry here in Saskatchewan has been very vocal with all levels of government on action that needs to be taken to ensure our industry remains economically healthy. As an industry, we continue to advocate for long-term strategic funding for infrastructure that guarantees good jobs, safe roads and economic growth.
As the newly elected federal government begins to take shape, SHCA will be looking intently at what direction it takes with respect to the future of infrastructure funding. Hopefully, lessons have been learned and the misguided notion of not funding future projects of infrastructure that are tied to road building have been tossed into the dumpster of bad ideas.
As an advocate for the heavy construction industry, the SHCA will always put our members’ interests first and let governments know when they have been right and when they have been wrong.
SHCA recently had the opportunity to discuss industry topics and issues with Saskatchewan Minister of Highways, the Honourable David Marit, who is also the Minister responsible for SaskBuilds and Procurement.
In March, the provincial government announced its budget for 2025-26, which included a spend on highways set at $777 million and $421 million for capital projects. At the time it was also noted that Marit would be conducting Saskatchewan Construction Roundtable discussions to move the conversation forward on the importance of infrastructure investment in Saskatchewan.
Think BIG: What are you hoping to get out of the Saskatchewan Construction Roundtable discussions with construction industry members?
David Marit: The Construction Roundtable aims to build stronger, more transparent lines of communication between industry and the Government of Saskatchewan. Our goal is to work collaboratively with the construction sector to identify solutions to shared challenges, and to promote growth, safety and sustainability within the sector.
The roundtable serves as an information-sharing platform for government representatives and industry leaders to foster open dialogue, address areas of concern, facilitate collaboration and communication, develop strategic initiatives and celebrate the successes of both industry and government.
“Our goal is to work collaboratively with the construction sector to identify solutions to shared challenges, and to promote growth, safety and sustainability within the sector.”
– David Marit, Saskatchewan Ministry of Highway
We continue to look to industry for solutions to some of our major challenges, including delivering a significant capital plan as our province grows, and finding ways to ensure projects are completed as efficiently as possible. As we navigate uncertainties in the current trade environment, we rely on our industry partners to collaborate on solutions that support Saskatchewan and keep our projects moving forward.
Think BIG: Governments across Canada are looking at removing interprovincial trade barriers to allow for goods and services to flow more freely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Are there areas that the Ministry of Highways and SaskBuilds have been working on to help the industry with trade barriers?
DM: The Government of Saskatchewan will monitor any cost increases that result from tariffs. If necessary, ministries may bring forward cost changes through existing decision-making channels. Over the past five years, Saskatchewan has awarded, on average, more than 99 per cent of procurements to Canadian companies, with less than one per cent awarded to U.S. companies.
We recognize the situation with the U.S. requires all Canadian provinces to look at ways to expand exports outside North America and reduce trade barriers within Canada. The situation south of the border underlined the need for this work, but it’s something we’ve been doing since well before the new U.S. administration took over.
Through this MOU, the provinces will identify priority actions and collaborate on key issues, including:
Identifying specific corridors that the three provinces can mutually work to advance
Improving the efficiency of interprovincial transportation network and harmonizing regulatory frameworks
Leveraging opportunities for joint advocacy to the federal government on regulatory and funding issues
Assessing private-sector investment and/or Indigenous partnership opportunities in improving existing or developing new economic corridors
For Saskatchewan people, improving transportation links with initiatives like these supports our export-based economy, which helps the province invest in key services and helps build and protect our quality of life.
Think BIG: Will the province meet the goals set out in the Growth Plan by 2030? Do you anticipate the province exceeding these goals?
DM: The Ministry of Highways’ year-over-year progress toward that goal has been steady. Highways 2025-26 budget improves more than 1,000 kilometres of provincial highways, the sixth year of our 10-year Growth Plan goal. Planned delivery over the first six years is more than 7,000 kilometres, which is ahead of pace to meet our target.
As for SaskBuilds and Procurement, the 2025-26 Saskatchewan Capital Plan brings Government of Saskatchewan’s infrastructure investment to $21.4 billion since 2020-21, which is 71.3 per cent of the $30-billion Growth Plan goal. The Government of Saskatchewan is firmly on track to exceed this goal.
Saskatchewan’s economy is heavily reliant on transportation, with highways serving as critical arteries for trade and commerce. As a resource-based economy, it is critical that the province has the proper infrastructure in place to get products to market.
Canada recently underwent a federal election, where the main topic electoral candidates discussed was the tariffs instigated by the Trump administration. While the United States tariff issue does impact Saskatchewan, national media platforms gave little to no attention to the 100 per cent canola tariff instituted by China, which has a direct bearing on the Saskatchewan economy.
In 2024, Saskatchewan exported approximately $4.9 billion worth of canola products to China, including canola seed, oil and meal. Provincial trade goes hand in glove with Saskatchewan’s road and infrastructure system. Strong trade results from having a strong infrastructure system and vice versa. How does a resource-based economy recover from the impact of tariffs and what role does the heavy construction industry play to help fix it?
“The way I see it is that we have several paths to follow to help bring stability back into how we continue to not only trade our goods, but to expand to other markets and make sure that our infrastructure meets the demand,” said Shantel Lipp, SHCA president. “Looking for alternative markets around the globe is being actively pursued by the provincial government to help offset the impact from the China tariffs. However, a large part of those deals is reliant on reassuring potential customers that Saskatchewan has reliable infrastructure to move our goods to them.”
Saskatchewan, regardless of any economic headwinds caused by the tariffs, continues to grow its output and the demand for products continues unabated. Agriculture products, potash, uranium and oil and gas are still needed globally, and Saskatchewan has all that. The province must ensure its roads and infrastructure meet trading partners’ needs.
“So many opportunities have been lost to a decade of stagnation on nation-building projects, and we are hopeful that change is the order of the day.”
– Shantel Lipp, Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association
“The heavy construction industry has always met its challenges head-on. The ability for our industry to be flexible is what keeps the bulk of our members going,” said Lipp. “Rather than being a barrier to growth, the heavy construction industry looks at the tariff challenge as an opportunity. Planning ahead is key to our industry succeeding and that can only happen through stable long-term funding arrangements with key partners within government.”
The future of Saskatchewan highways and infrastructure will increase, not decrease, in demand. Aside from key exports of agriculture products, potash and uranium, Saskatchewan has begun to increase the export of critical minerals driven by global need that will require enhanced highway capacity to transport these resources from remote mining sites to processing facilities or export hubs. The province’s aging infrastructure, coupled with increasing traffic volumes, necessitates significant investment in Saskatchewan’s road system.
“There has been a lot of talk amongst our elected officials that in order to counter the impact of tariffs we need to also look within our own borders to the remove barriers to growth,” said Lipp. “Our industry has been very vocal on removing interprovincial trade barriers that hinder our ability to grow as an industry and as a province.”
Aside from the tariff discussions, there are encouraging signs that the newly elected federal government will start to course-correct its past mistakes. At a meeting in March with the premiers, Prime Minister Carney asked each of them to identify “nation-building projects.” This could be an indication that the country and Saskatchewan may be getting an economic boost through funding projects that include elements of highways and infrastructure.
“Saskatchewan now has representation at the federal table with the appointment of Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River Member of Parliament Buckley Belanger as Secretary of State (Rural Development),” said Lipp. “Our industry is eager to engage with Belanger on the importance of building up our provincial infrastructure to meet the demand of our resource development projects.”
Belanger’s riding covers a vast swath of northern Saskatchewan, which is home to some of the most productive mining activity in North America. It is also home to the McArthur River uranium mine, which is the world’s largest high-grade uranium deposit. In 2023, Saskatchewan’s uranium sector achieved $1.6 billion in sales revenue, the world’s second-largest uranium producer for that year, providing work for 3,420 direct employees and contractors.
“Both provincial and federal governments need to find common ground that will ensure that the level of infrastructure funding keeps pace with our level of growth,” said Lipp. “So many opportunities have been lost to a decade of stagnation on nation-building projects, and we are hopeful that change is the order of the day.”
From scorching heat in the summer to blasting winter cold, road builders in the Prairies have some of the toughest paving conditions to contend with. Asphalt is more than just a surface layer; it’s a material that must endure the full force of nature over a long period of time.
This is one of the subjects that’s under close scrutiny at the Centre for Applied Research in Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI) at Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg, Man. CARSI provides applied research and education, connecting the classroom with real-world challenges in the construction industry.
The centre is structured into three main areas: pavement materials, structural construction materials and building construction innovation. The lab was originally focused on supporting the aerospace and manufacturing industries, but it has a growing emphasis on asphalt concrete pavement research.
Bahador Barbod, a municipal engineering instructor at the college, says CARSI’s mission is to prepare students for industry while generating practical knowledge that benefits public and private stakeholders. “Students who take our pavement materials courses don’t just study theory,” he said. “They engage in asphalt mix design, evaluate the challenges that come with it and conduct tests using the lab’s advanced equipment.”
Photos: Red River College POLYTECHNIC
Barbod says CARSI delves into a wide range of research projects, including comparative studies on asphalt density testing methods, investigations into self-healing asphalt using calcium alginate and the development of cold mix asphalt, suitable for low-temperature applications. One area of his particular areas of interest involves incorporating recycled materials such as reclaimed asphalt pavement into new mixes, a direction that aligns with sustainability goals while meeting industry demands.
The real-world implications of this research are significant. Much of the lab’s work is driven by the goal of enhancing the durability of construction materials and reducing long-term maintenance costs. Barbod says that while asphalt is widely used, its performance over time – especially under the unique freeze-thaw cycles common to the Prairies – remains a challenge. CARSI’s testing equipment contains a large programmable environmental chamber capable of simulating both high and low temperature conditions.
This chamber is divided into two separate spaces, allowing simultaneous tests at vastly different temperatures. Asphalt samples placed in the chamber undergo rigorous freeze-thaw cycles, mimicking the real-life stressors found on prairie roads.
Much of the lab’s work is driven by the goal of enhancing the durability of construction materials and reducing long-term maintenance costs.
Barbod and his students use the equipment to examine how new asphalt formulations behave under the harshest conditions. By observing how materials crack, deform or deteriorate, CARSI researchers can make more accurate predictions about long-term performance and help shape better material specifications. It should be noted that the chamber isn’t limited to asphalt since it’s large enough to accommodate concrete beams, window frames and other structural components for testing.
As this research continues, Barbod says he hopes to build stronger relationships with the private sector. Although CARSI maintains ties with Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, its connections with private road builders have been limited. “One thing that’s a little bit challenging for bringing the industry into our research is that students go through the co-op program in the summertime, and asphalt construction is usually shut down in the winter. That’s when students are in college, so we don’t always have that connection between the industry and the college,” he said.
Still, Barbod sees plenty of opportunities for collaboration, such as increased relationships between academic researchers and industry stakeholders, where student-driven projects can address real-world problems and inform construction decisions. Final reports and presentations are already shared with any interested partners, and Barbod invited road building companies to attend student presentations or propose research topics that align with their needs.
Photo: Red River College POLYTECHNIC
CARSI’s impact also extends into workforce development. Students involved in pavement research gain experience in both Marshall and Superpave mix design methods. They learn how to troubleshoot mix performance, test various additives and compare results using industry-standard lab technologies. Graduates leave the program with a comprehensive understanding of construction materials testing, as well as practical experience that gives them a competitive edge in the job market.
The lab’s commitment to skill-building is especially important as the construction industry continues to face a growing demand for technically trained professionals. Barbod says students leave the program with both theoretical knowledge and extensive hands-on experience in asphalt and concrete mix design.
“Students come out from the CARSI lab usually with a complete understanding of construction material testing,” he said. “They experience all of those tests themselves and get the theory and practical knowledge of the mixed design for asphalt and concrete both.”
Looking ahead, the lab has ambitious goals. Barbod says he is interested in researching the use of nanomaterials in asphalt mixes and how these microscopic additives could improve performance properties like elasticity and resistance to cracking. He’s also interested in further research of cold mix asphalt solutions, which remain underused in the Prairies despite their potential to reduce costs and enable off-season construction. If CARSI can demonstrate consistent performance under lab conditions, Barbod says he hopes to help shift industry perceptions and encourage broader adoption of these alternative materials.
Another priority is securing new testing equipment to enhance CARSI’s analytical capabilities. With enhanced tools, the lab could provide even more detailed insights into mix performance and lifecycle costs. This is information that would be valuable to municipal planners, contractors and engineers looking to stretch their infrastructure budgets further.
As CARSI continues to grow, Barbod hopes this will lead to closer ties between the institution and the heavy construction industry. “There’s tremendous value in aligning what we do in the lab with what’s happening in the field,” he said. “We want to be a resource for road builders. Whether it’s improving asphalt durability, reducing maintenance needs, or training the next generation of professionals, we’re here to support the industry.”
Contractors work with Cenovus Asphalt to pave a road using a hot in-place recycling technique, which is the process of rehabilitating deteriorated pavement
This Canadian-based integrated energy company has had a presence in Canada’s so-called breadbasket region dating back all the way to the mid-1940s.
That’s when Husky Energy established one of its very first oil fields in the northwest corner of Saskatchewan near the Alberta border. It was about the same time Husky opened its first asphalt plant to produce the paving material required to build many of the province’s roads.
Today, Cenovus, which purchased Husky in 2021, is one of Saskatchewan’s top employers with a workforce of more than 1,300 people in the province. The company is headquartered in Calgary, Alta., and has asphalt producing refineries in Lloydminster, Alta. and Superior, Wis. It also has asphalt terminals across Western Canada and the Midwest in the U.S., with Cenovus’ most recent addition being a new terminal near Denver, Colo.
“All of our network is supplied by crude oil produced in Saskatchewan and supported by the brilliant minds in our technical services and innovation lab based in Saskatoon,” said Martin Ray, director of the company’s asphalt and industrial products division. “We like to consider ourselves an integral part of the community and the economy in Saskatchewan.”
Cenovus’s Saskatoon lab performs quality testing on all the asphalt and industrial products sold in Canadian Downstream Terminals including asphalt binder, polymer modified asphalt and asphalt emulsions.
Asphalt and industrial products are part of Cenovus’ downstream division that refines crude oil into finished products. Cenovus is the third largest asphalt producer in Canada and the U.S. Other divisions include crude oil and natural gas production and midstream, which is responsible for the transportation of crude oil to the markets that require them.
“I think it’s a cool story and it’s a Canadian story,” Ray said. “We’re a fully integrated company. In other words, our operations involve activities that find, develop and unlock value from commodities that originate in Canada. In our downstream business, our team handles the marketing, transportation and sales of all of these commodities across North America.”
Cenovus provides two essential products to Saskatchewan’s heavy construction sector. The first is diesel fuel to power heavy equipment, which is processed at its upgrader on the Saskatchewan side of Lloydminster. The other is the asphalt used for road building, processed at the Lloydminster refinery and distributed through its terminals in Yorkton and Saskatoon. That asphalt is used in several different road building products, most commonly use as a binder for rocks in asphalt pavement. That same asphalt is also used to create an emulsion to help fill cracks and other imperfections in roadways. It’s essentially heated asphalt combined with water to create a liquid-like substance that can be sprayed on the road.
“We actively want to be part of associations that have influence in the industry and [SHCA] is brilliant at that.”
– Martin Ray, Cenovus
One of the more unique products the asphalt and industrial products division produces is a polymer-modified asphalt. It’s created by combining regular asphalt with rubber and rock to produce pavement that has elastic recovery properties and is able to better survive Canada’s harsh winters. “It’s a super cool technology,” said Ray. “It’s unique in that it can withstand our massive freeze/thaw cycles. It’s an engineered product that can stretch a little bit so it can absorb wear and tear. It’s more resistant to rutting and cracking.”
Something else that distinguishes Cenovus in Saskatchewan is its commitment to research in the province. To support this development, the company donated $2.5 million to Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Time to Rise campaign in 2024. The campaign will fund the construction of the school’s new Saskatoon campus.
As part of this investment, Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s new centralized chemical technology lab, power engineering lab and instrumentation engineering lab will be named the Cenovus Energy Labs. The labs will provide students with the latest technology for hands-on training, something the company says it will need in its future workforce.
The company also recently made a $1.5 million donation to the University of Saskatchewan as part of that institution’s Be What the World Needs campaign. Those funds will be used to help develop the Cenovus Energy Makerspace that will play a key role in advancing engineering innovation and design and provide students access to advanced tools such as polymer 3-D printers and laser cutters.
Cenovus’s Lloydminster, Sask., refinery supplies the company’s network of terminals and direct to customers via truck and rail.
Ray says it’s all part of a team approach taken by Cenovus to help advance research and create new products that benefit the people of Saskatchewan and the rest of the country. “With academia, the private sector and government, you create a nice triangle of innovation to build the infrastructure that we all use,” he said. “Our role is to be able to build the best quality of roads at the lowest possible cost so that our tax money can go as far as it can. It’s all about industry partnering with academia and with governmental agencies, to provide Canadians better and safer access to commercial and human movement.”
Cenovus’s asphalt division has worked closely with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways on several projects throughout the province over the years. Ray says it has been a great partnership due in large part to the fact the province is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with the private sector. “Saskatchewan Highways is excellent,” he said. “They engage their contractors, they engage their suppliers and they’ve been really innovative. I give Sask Highways a lot of credit. They’ve been quite progressive in a lot of ways.”
The company also engages in conversations regularly with the many contractors it works with in the province. Many of those conversations centre on technical questions such as which materials may be best suited to rebuild a road or deal with “alligator” cracking or a high-water table.
Another popular topic with those clients is the infrastructure deficit facing the province and what can be done to address the situation. “The infrastructure deficit is always a challenge,” Ray said. “I think Saskatchewan road builders play a big role in helping moderate discussions around infrastructure and [investing] in infrastructure versus other places to invest in the province. They help create an environment in which industry can speak with government to try to manage investment in the road system and bridges.”
“We like to consider ourselves an integral part of the community and the economy in Saskatchewan.”
– Martin Ray, Cenovus
Tariff uncertainty is something that the industry is dealing with now. Tariffs don’t impact asphalt since it’s one of the CUSMA-compliant products protected through the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, but Ray points out that tariffs could mean increased costs to acquire the heavy machinery required to build roads. “Contractors utilize a lot of road building equipment, whether it’s yellow iron [heavy equipment] or trucks. I’ve got to imagine there’s some pressures that [contractors] like all of us are feeling,” he said.
Despite this, Cenovus plans to continue to focus on being a “worldclass” operator of its assets. The company recently completed several planned maintenance upgrades at its asphalt terminals in Yorkton and Saskatoon as part of a 10-year plan. It also has scheduled maintenance planned for its refineries in Lloydminster. Those improvements are all intended to drive a combination of cost, reliability and environmental improvements. “We are proud of our footprint and we’re going to keep investing in that footprint,” Ray said.
Cenovus is also continuing to work with its partners to develop several new and innovative technologies. One of those products is a softer form of asphalt that features different chemical properties that allow more of it to be recycled and incorporated in new roadways rather than shipped to landfills. The company is also involved in research looking into how consumer waste, including plastic polyethylene and other items, can be incorporated into asphalt used to build roads.
Something that isn’t likely to change is the value Cenovus sees in being an SHCA member. “We actively want to be part of associations that have influence in the industry and [SHCA] is brilliant at that,” Ray said.
“They pull together a range of stakeholders in this industry. You’ve got contractors, you have suppliers, you have governments at various different levels. They work collectively to create a forum by which we can be innovative, we can address challenges, we can work with governments to address industry-specific issues and we can advocate for infrastructure spending.”
From potash to oil and gas to manufacturing, industrial air quality measurement and monitoring has historically focused on reporting for regulatory purposes with an end goal of protecting people and the environment.
With industry and government focusing more on improving the environmental performance of industrial facilities, the ability to measure, monitor and model air quality is important to reporting and delivering on these goals. In the last decade or so, many operations have stepped up to the challenge and are employing new technologies and optimizing their processes, signalling that specialized air quality expertise, beyond just measurement, is needed to work on these more complex projects. Understanding the data and how to use it for a specific operation requires experience and technical know-how.
For more than 45 years, the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) has helped important economic sectors operating on the Canadian Prairies keep a close eye on their air emissions to ensure they meet environmental standards and regulatory requirements, as well as to implement process improvements for emissions reduction strategies.
With more than 17 years of experience in air quality at SRC, team lead Kent Orosz is at the helm of a group of specialized experts who help clients achieve long-term environmental and economic benefits through measuring, monitoring and modelling. “Our team is quite diverse in terms of skills and expertise,” Orosz said. “We offer a variety of services that can be integrated to meet a client’s needs.”
The air quality team offers a wide range of services, from industrial source testing to ambient air monitoring and industrial hygiene for a variety of industries, such as mining, manufacturing, biofuels, construction and electricity generation.
“While stack sampling makes up the majority of our work,” Orosz said, “we also work with clients on other aspects of measurement and monitoring, such as environmental protection plans under the Industrial Source (Air Quality) chapter of the Saskatchewan Environmental Code.”
Expertise in safe stack sampling
With highly trained and highly experienced team members, SRC is a trusted provider of stack sampling on the Prairies. While technology has changed, manual testing methods remain the most reliable approach to stack sampling. “Stack sampling is a unique job because it’s a mix of labour, very technical work and some science as well,” Orosz said.
A typical field day starts with an early morning trip to an industrial site. The team carries in a lot of heavy equipment and gets to work measuring the gases and particulates released from the facility. The team might climb ladders to reach high platforms or rooftops, and then pull their equipment up with a rope or carry it up many flights of stairs, often through a hot, noisy, dusty or dark facility. Once on the roof or platform, the team carries out their work, rain or shine, so long as the work can be conducted safely.
With highly trained and highly experienced team members, SRC is a trusted provider of stack sampling on the Prairies.
“Safety is an overriding priority at SRC,” Orosz said. “Because our work exposes us to numerous hazards, we are continually assessing and reassessing risk, implementing controls and monitoring whether our controls are effective to ensure we can finish the job safely. We are COR-certified, which is the industry standard in safety certification.”
Orosz has seen his fair share of challenges. Between equipment breakdowns, facility operational issues or inclement weather, many factors can delay the team’s work. Orosz says the team excels at developing quick, but effective, solutions that are safe and keep the job moving.
Insight into process refining and pollution control equipment
Generally, large facilities are required to test what is emitted from their stacks annually. SRC’s air quality team conducts this regulatory compliance testing at field sites. To help clients reduce their emissions, the team also works with their clients to refine their processes or test new types of pollution control equipment.
“Helping clients implement process improvements that reduce their air emissions is where our expertise really shines,” Orosz said. “Our expertise is unmatched in the province. A lot of companies can come in and do compliance testing, but we are able to take the data and use our air quality expertise and experience to help our clients improve their processes and navigate next steps.”
The potash industry is one place where this expertise has proven valuable. SRC works with nearly every potash mine in the province, conducting stack sampling, compliance testing, and creating or updating environmental protection plans (EPPs) under the Saskatchewan Environmental Code’s Industrial Source (Air Quality) chapter.
Photo: Saskatchewan Research Council
“Potash mining requires complex processes related to air emissions,” Orosz said. “We have the skills, expertise and knowledge to give industry the information and resources needed to help them improve the environmental performance of their operations.”
Beyond testing and providing air quality reports, the team has measured dust from mine ventilation exhaust, sampled particulate and gases in stacks from dryers and other process equipment, and measured airflow, temperatures, and pollutant rates entering and exiting pollution control equipment.
“We’ve worked on a lot of different issues related to elevated emissions,” Orosz said. “Based on the data we measure, we can help a facility develop and implement a test plan based on their operational conditions, giving them the information they need to make informed decisions.”
Integrated services for managing air emissions
SRC provides clients with integrated services and advanced technologies that all work towards a goal of helping them manage their air emissions. The company can deploy customized mobile stations for ambient air monitoring, offering real-time data to clients. These stations can monitor gases like sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and weather data, such as wind speed and direction, temperature and more.
With services like trace analysis testing, SRC can measure the amount of volatile organic compounds, total hydrocarbons and metals in emissions. When it comes to indoor air quality, Orosz and his team can identify and measure gases, fumes and biological hazards, such as mould or bacteria, that can impact the health and safety of employees. The team has also taken the guesswork out of other monitoring services, such as measuring the visual opacity of emissions plumes.
“There are regulations and limits on how much light is blocked by the plume, so measuring that is very important,” Orosz said. “Traditionally, someone would stand there watching the plume and record the percentages of light blocked every 15 seconds for 15 minutes straight.” SRC has adopted a more accurate and more automated method to measure the opacity by using digital cameras that automate the analysis, providing precise data for clients.
Orosz has also witnessed big shifts in the government’s approach to regulating industrial activities. Saskatchewan has been a leader in a measurable, outcomes-based approach that benefits both industry and the environment. Part of that approach has been the requirement for industries to develop EPPs under the Industrial Source (Air Quality) chapter of the Saskatchewan Environmental Code. Having worked with Saskatchewan industries for decades, SRC is well-positioned to help industries develop an EPP that works for them.
“We can take all of our stack sampling knowledge and all of our air dispersion modelling capability and roll it into an EPP for our clients,” Orosz said. “Our work is not just about taking a sample, it’s understanding what our clients’ needs are and what information they require to make operational decisions.”
Helping to keep Prairie skies clear
With decades of experience, SRC’s air quality experts are working with industry to protect the environment, improve the quality of Saskatchewan’s air, and provide companies operating on the Prairies with the support and resources they need. SRC’s air quality team works closely with its Environmental Analytical Laboratories on field sample analysis and its Centre for the Demonstration of Emissions Reductions platform to support clients in transitioning to a low-carbon future.
The integrated services offered by SRC ensure that clients are receiving accurate and timely data, and are informed about their operations’ performance. SRC works with clients to provide them with a plan to improve their air emissions processes and help them meet their environmental performance goals.
As inflation continues to affect the cost of maintaining infrastructure, the need to address the condition of rural roads in Saskatchewan has become increasingly pressing.
These roads form the backbone of the province’s vast agricultural and industrial economy, enabling the movement of goods, services and people across rural areas. Deterioration of rural transportation infrastructure not only impacts local travel, but has far-reaching and devastating implications for Saskatchewan’s economy.
In response to these challenges, the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) Program Management Board, which is made up of members from both the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and the Ministry of Highways, has taken significant steps to support rural municipalities (RMs) by increasing funding for rural road maintenance during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and have introduced several updates to enhance the RIRG program. Municipalities can apply to access RIRG funding through three distinct sub-programs: The Road Construction Program, Bridge and Large Diameter Culvert Construction Program, and the Clearing the Path (CTP) Program. Each of these programs is tailored to address specific infrastructure needs.
The Road Construction Program along with the Bridge and Large Diameter Culvert Program are ways that RMs can access funding to upgrade or replace their current infrastructure. These programs not only improve safety and efficiency for rural residents, but support local industries by facilitating the movement of agricultural and industrial products.
When a road project qualifies and is accepted into the Road Construction Program, the RM can receive up to $500,000 for eligible costs with a 50 per cent assistance rate from RIRG. RMs can choose from several road project types including, earthworks and grading, clay capping, base and subbase, and surface strengthening on any road that is a CTP corridor or has a rural road class of 3, 4,or 5. The Bridge and Large Diameter Culvert Program has undergone some significant and exciting changes. After hearing feedback from members on the significant increases to the cost of building rural bridges, the funding cap for bridge projects has doubled; RMs can now receive up to $1 million with a 50 per cent assistance rate. The next intake for these programs will take place this fall, with approvals scheduled for January 2026.
These programs not only improve safety and efficiency for rural residents, but also support local industries by facilitating the movement of agricultural and industrial products.
The CTP Program provides incremental maintenance funding to assist with the cost of maintaining roads to carry primary weights. The purpose of the program is to connect and move Saskatchewan’s commodities and industry at primary weights, creating a seamless network throughout the province.
The network aims to be dynamic and not permanent so that if economic activity is slowing down in one area and increasing in another, funding may be moved to an area with more economic activity. To be eligible, roads must meet criteria such as, minimum truck traffic counts, proximity to economic generators and a minimum proximity of the roadway to other primary weight roads. If an RM applies for an eligible CTP corridor and agrees to maintain the road to carry primary weights, they can receive funding each year to assist with maintenance costs.
After hearing from SARM members and studying the impact of inflation on maintaining these roads, RIRG has also increased the funding for CTP corridors by $300 per kilometre. RMs can now receive $1,300 per kilometre for a standard corridor and $1,500 per kilometre for a premium CTP corridor annually. Standard corridors have an average daily truck traffic greater than 10 trucks per day, while premium corridors have an average daily truck traffic greater than 35 trucks per day. An RM can apply for a new CTP corridor at any time on SARM’s website, with formal application reviews occurring annually at the start of each calendar year.
In other exciting news, the RIRG program, which is governed by an agreement between SARM and the Ministry of Highways, was recently extended for five years, until March 31, 2029. This extension signals a strong commitment from both the provincial government and SARM to long-term investment in rural infrastructure, and can provide municipalities with the confidence and stability they need to plan and execute infrastructure projects with greater certainty.
We strongly encourage all RMs to take full advantage of these renewed opportunities. The tools are in place, the funding is available and the support is ongoing. For detailed information on program eligibility, application processes and program timelines, municipalities are encouraged to review the RIRG Policy Manual available on SARM’s website (sarm.ca).
In construction, where everything depends on long-term planning and tight cost forecasts, even a small disruption in the supply chain can throw things off in a big way. Lately, the rise in protectionist talk and new trade barriers, such as the 25 per cent tariff the U.S. placed on Canadian steel and aluminum, are causing significant turbulence across the industry.
The U.S. remains Canada’s largest trading partner, and our construction industry is deeply integrated with cross-border supply chains. Tariffs disrupt those chains, driving up costs, creating uncertainty, and delaying essential public and private sector projects.
For Saskatchewan’s heavy construction contractors, many of whom rely on imported steel and key materials for large-scale public and private projects, the potential impacts are stark:
Skyrocketing material costs that could make projects financially unviable.
Delays in project delivery due to supply chain disruptions.
Increased uncertainty that discourages investment and long-term planning.
These impacts extend far beyond the construction yard. When projects are delayed or cancelled, Saskatchewan’s communities are left waiting for the services, jobs and growth those investments were meant to deliver.
CCA has been actively working with federal and provincial leaders to ensure the construction industry’s voice is heard in trade and economic policy discussions.
What CCA is doing to fight for the industry
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA), representing over 18,000 member firms, is proud of our mission to inspire a progressive, innovative and sustainable construction industry. With partners like SHCA, we’re committed to shaping a stronger, more resilient Canada through the power of construction.
CCA has been actively working with federal and provincial leaders to ensure the construction industry’s voice is heard in trade and economic policy discussions. As part of our strategy, we have:
Participated in government consultations to highlight the specific risks tariffs pose to Canadian construction.
Engaged with policymakers to promote tariff exemptions or mitigation measures for essential materials. Published economic analyses showing how tariffs lead to higher costs and stalled progress on infrastructure.
Construction for Canadians: A call to action
We’re not just reacting, we’re pushing for proactive policies that protect our industry and the broader Canadian economy.
The 2025 federal election presented a pivotal opportunity for us to rally support for the construction sector. Through our Construction for Canadians campaign, CCA worked to ensure that construction remained a key issue in the national conversation, championing policies that promote growth, sustainability and resilience in our industry.
While the election may be behind us, the work continues. Our campaign wasn’t just about influencing platforms, it was about building long-term awareness and support for construction as a pillar of Canada’s economic future. Now, as the newly elected government begins its mandate, CCA remains focused on turning these conversations into real, lasting progress.
Turning advocacy into action
Now more than ever, Canada needs investment in resilient infrastructure that will support growth and meet the demands of a changing world. We must grow the construction workforce, modernize procurement processes and cut the red tape that hampers project delivery.
Canada has slipped from 10th to 26th in global trade infrastructure rankings. This is troubling for a country whose economy depends on the import and export of goods. Our ports, railways and highways, the arteries of our supply chains, are stretched thin and ill-equipped to handle growing demand and the mounting need to diversity our markets. Saskatchewan’s key export sectors are particularly vulnerable to bottlenecks at ports, rail terminals and highways.
With strong partnerships, a united voice and a clear vision, we can build a more resilient supply chain, a stronger workforce and the modern infrastructure Canadians need. CCA is committed to advocating for the tools, policies and investments that will allow our industry to thrive, not just for today, but for generations to come.
