Contractors paving road
by Jim Timlick Jim Timlick

Cenovus Energy

Contractors paving road
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.”

Lab technician wearing safety goggles
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.

Martin Ray

“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.

Exterior view of refinery
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.”

Man in safety goggles working on electrical device
by Erin Matthews Erin Matthews

Air Quality Measurement and Monitoring Requires Innovation for Long-Term Results

Man in safety goggles working on electrical device
Photo: Saskatchewan Research Council

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.

Large industrial container silos
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.

Road through wheat fields
by Shelby Piel Shelby Piel

Increased Funding for Rural Road Infrastructure a Boost for Saskatchewan’s Rural Municipalities

Road through wheat fields
rcphoto/123rf

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).

Crack between America and Canada flags. political relationship concept
by Rodrigue Gilbert Rodrigue Gilbert

Standing Strong Against Tariffs

Crack between America and Canada flags. political relationship concept
nkdrop/123rf

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.

CCA has been working in partnership with other stakeholders to secure a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan that prioritizes strategic, long-term investments. A cornerstone of this plan is the creation of the Canadian Infrastructure Council, a significant milestone in pushing forward the National Infrastructure Assessment, which is a priority for CCA. This council will play a key role in prioritizing strategic infrastructure projects critical to Canada’s future.

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.

Construction worker with a bandaged arm filling out paperwork
by WorkSafe Saskatchewan WorkSafe Saskatchewan

Safer Workplaces for a Stronger Saskatchewan

Construction worker with a bandaged arm filling out paperwork
andreypopov/123rf

WorkSafe Saskatchewan, the injury prevention partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, is calling attention to the strides made in improving workplace safety and the work still ahead to prevent injuries and save lives.

Today, Saskatchewan workplaces are safer than ever before. The total injury rate of 3.91 per 100 workers was a historic low in 2024, declining for the second straight year. In fact, since WorkSafe Saskatchewan was established in 2002, the total injury rate has dropped by more than 65 per cent. Similarly, in 2024, the province recorded its lowest time loss injury rate ever at 1.72 per 100 workers. For the fifth year in a row, 90 per cent of Saskatchewan workplaces reported zero injuries and zero fatalities.

“This new historic low in our total injury rate represents the focus and hard work of workers, employers, safety associations, safety leaders across the province and [their] labour to enable worker safety in Saskatchewan,” said Gord Dobrowolsky, WCB chair. “Safety starts with us on every job, every shift. It is our combined efforts that continue to reduce injury rates. While these numbers are heading in the right direction, even one injury is too many.”

In 2024, 27 workers lost their lives due to work-related incidents or illnesses. Each of these tragedies leaves behind grieving families, friends, coworkers and communities. Every year in the province, approximately 2,400 workers suffer serious injuries. Between 11 and 15 per cent of all claims in the province continue to be serious injury claims, which make up more than 80 per cent of the costs to the Saskatchewan compensation system.

For the fifth year in a row, 90 per cent of Saskatchewan workplaces reported zero injuries and zero fatalities.

“While workplace injuries and fatalities in Saskatchewan are decreasing, we must never forget that workplace fatalities still tragically impact spouses, children, families, workplaces and communities every year,” said Dobrowolsky. “This must drive us to continually work toward making workplaces safe for every Saskatchewan worker.”

To further the province’s efforts in eliminating workplace fatalities and serious injuries, in 2023, WorkSafe Saskatchewan launched the 2023-2028 Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy. The strategy is enhancing efforts to reduce injuries and fatalities through new regulatory, enforcement, prevention and learning initiatives. It is largely focused on three priority industries that include high-risk work: health care, transportation and construction.

“This strategy is playing an important role in helping us to implement initiatives that act to prevent injuries and fatalities, and enhance worker safety on the job,” said WCB CEO Phillip Germain. Learn more about the strategy at worksafesask.ca/fatalities-and-serious-injuries. “We are committed to ensuring safer workplaces in our province,” said Germain. “While safe workplaces are good for business, the most important part of every job is for each worker to come home safely.”

Continued collaboration between workers, employers, industry associations and government remains essential in creating safer workplaces for all. By strengthening prevention efforts, supporting safety leadership and prioritizing education and enforcement, Saskatchewan can continue to build on these historic gains.

Group photo in front of Westridge Construction Carpentry Workshop
by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Westridge Construction partnership lays foundation for success

Group photo in front of Westridge Construction Carpentry Workshop
Photo: Westridge Construction

Westridge Construction donated $840,000 to Saskatchewan Polytechnic to support the Time to Rise campaign and future carpentry students. This donation will create a legacy at the new Joseph A. Remai Saskatoon Campus. The carpentry shop in the new Skilled Trades and Technology building will be named the Westridge Construction Carpentry Workshop.

Leon Friesen, president of Westridge Construction and a journeyperson carpenter, recognizes the importance of hands-on learning and the value of a polytechnic education. Westridge Construction will invest $750,000 in the Joseph A. Remai Saskatoon Campus to create a modern learning environment that reflects real-world workplaces. An additional $90,000 will go to carpentry student awards. These awards will help carpentry students overcome financial barriers, allowing them to focus on mastering their craft.

“It is an honour to support Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Time to Rise campaign and help shape the future of carpentry in our province,” said Colin Olfert, Westridge Construction CEO and general manager. “This gift reflects our deep respect for the trades and our belief in the power of education to transform lives and communities. With so many of our team members, past and present, being proud Sask Polytech graduates, this partnership is both personal and meaningful. We are proud that the Westridge Construction Carpentry Workshop will leave a lasting legacy at the new Joseph A. Remai Campus and the other campuses across our great province.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Westridge Construction for their generosity and belief in education as a force for good,” said Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “Your leadership shows what it means to build not only structures, but communities. We are proud and privileged to call you a partner and to count many Westridge team members among our alumni.”

The Time to Rise campaign aims to empower Sask Polytech graduates and strengthen the provincial economy. The Remai Saskatoon Campus will consolidate an existing network of decentralized, outdated buildings into a modern, technology-rich learning environment, increasing program capacity for more students.

Learn more about the campaign and the Joseph A. Remai Saskatoon Campus at timetorise.ca.

SHCA | Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association
by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan and Ontario breaking down trade barriers

On June 2, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the removal of trade barriers across the two jurisdictions.

“Now is the time to take strong action to strengthen trade across Canada,” Moe said. “Our province remains committed to removing restrictive barriers that limit the flow of trade. Today’s MOU between Saskatchewan and Ontario is just one of the ways we are unlocking the infinite potential that exists within our industries from coast to coast.”

This MOU includes commitments to facilitate mutual recognition of our goods, workers and investment while strengthening public safety and respecting the integrity and role of Crown corporations. It aims to strengthen interprovincial labour mobility and direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales between the two jurisdictions.

“Now is the time to take strong action to strengthen trade across Canada.”

– Scott Moe, Saskatchewan Premier

“With President Trump taking direct aim at Canada’s economy, we need to do everything we can to protect Ontario and Canadian workers by super-charging our own internal trade opportunities,” Premier Ford said. “With both of us coming together today, we are helping Canada unlock up to $200 billion in gains for our economy, and we are showing everyone how all of us premiers are standing up for Canada like never before. Together, we are building a more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant economy.”

Additionally, both provinces are co-leading efforts under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement on a framework to advance DTC alcohol sales with other willing jurisdictions across Canada. The total value of interprovincial trade between Saskatchewan and Ontario was $6.4 billion in 2021. Trade is critical to Saskatchewan’s economy, worth about 70 per cent of the province’s Gross Domestic Product. Saskatchewan’s efforts to advance and diversify trade are providing much needed certainty in a very uncertain time.

The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting the expansion of vital infrastructure projects including ports, pipelines and rail, including their construction and seamless operations. The province will also work to provide swift approval of any projects that pass through Saskatchewan.

Throughout this work, Saskatchewan will continue to work alongside its federal, provincial and territorial counterparts to advance these efforts and promote free and fair interprovincial trade.

Canadian Construction Association
by SHCA SHCA

Raising the bar: The Canadian Construction Association unveils new Gold Seal Certification portal and directory

Canadian Construction Association

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has launched a new online portal and directory to improve the user experience for current and future Gold Seal Certified industry professionals. The new directory also allows employers and industry partners to easily verify and identify accredited professionals across Canada, supporting the program’s credibility and visibility.

“This portal and directory have been a very important project for our Gold Seal team over the last year as part of our ongoing commitment to digitize first,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, President of the CCA. “The Gold Seal portal joins our various digital resources and directories, which help to maintain and increase integrity and transparency within our services.”

“In our industry, we have to keep raising the bar – and that is exactly what our Gold Seal Certified workers and Gold Seal Employers do each and every day.”

– Rodrigue Gilbert, President of the CCA

CCA’s Gold Seal Certification is a nationally recognized standard of excellence for construction management professionals. Earned through industry experience, education, and examination, Gold Seal Certification enhances professional development, improves job mobility, and demonstrates skills, competence, and experience.

“In our industry, we have to keep raising the bar – and that is exactly what our Gold Seal Certified workers and Gold Seal Employers do each and every day,” said Gilbert. “We will continue to make it easier for construction professionals to become Gold Seal Certified and encourage them to continue leading with the highest standard of excellence so our industry can continue to build a stronger Canada.”

Employees who enroll and complete Gold Seal Certification take pride in their work and expertise. As we seek to develop and enhance our workforce, programs like Gold Seal help to not only ensure confidence in our industry, but to set a standard to which new workers can model during the early stages of their career. Together, we can all take pride in building a better Canada.

Portrait of builder standing at construction site
by SHCA SHCA

Construction continues on Highways 2 and 13 Assiniboia partnership project

Portrait of builder standing at construction site
nomadsoul1/123rf

Highways Minister David Marit and the Town of Assiniboia celebrated the ongoing progress of a more than $10.6 million partnership project that will improve Highways 2 and 13, while strengthening the heart of the community.

“Our provincial government is proud to play a role improving these key transportation arteries through Assiniboia, which is a service hub for the region,” Marit said. “These highways when completed will better support Saskatchewan’s export-based economy, local agriculture, tourism and businesses in the centre of town.”

The 4.96 km project involves:

  • The rehabilitation and repaving of Highway 2 (also known as Empire Road and Centre Street) from Leeville Street to north of Highway 13, along with Highway 13 (also known as First Avenue West and First Avenue East) from Centre Street to Leeville Street.
  • Curb and sidewalk replacements along the route.

“We are incredibly grateful for the investment in this vital infrastructure project,” Assiniboia Mayor Sharon Schauenberg said. “Improved roads mean safer travel, more efficient transportation, and long-term benefits for our residents and local economy.”

The Ministry of Highways is investing more than $10.17 million toward the project. The Town of Assiniboia is investing up to $485,000. On-site project work began this spring and is expected to be completed this fall, pending weather.