Recent Articles

One of the by-products of the COVID pandemic is that we’re borrowing less.

Anyone who has been in self-isolation or a lockdown knows that they are spending less. And it’s evident in all the economic numbers – gasoline sales are down, we aren’t going to movies or entertainment facilities and restaurants are seeing significant reductions in business.

All of this means the average consumer is spending less and, given that a chunk of that spending used to be done on credit cards or with borrowed money, the amount of new debt households are adding is going down.

Read more.

On behalf of the team at 49 North Lubricants, we’d like to thank the frontline workers who have been working tirelessly to get us through this pandemic. We remain open and are here to support our customers’ business with unparalleled customer service and quality products, through this pandemic and beyond.

To help support Canadians, we have diversified our production to include vital products to aid in stopping the spread of COVID-19. As always, our priority is to source and produce locally and we have done the same when developing our 49 North Lubricants Hand Sanitizer. Our alcohol-based hand sanitizer was made using the World Health Organization recommended formulation and is licensed by Health Canada. Quality is our first priority.

We are proud to offer our assistance in these trying times and we cannot express our gratitude enough to those who are working so hard to fight this pandemic.

Visit the website: https://www.49northlubricants.com/products/other/hand-sanitizer/

On May 1, 2020, JMB Crushing Systems Inc. and 2161889 Alberta Ltd. (Collectively “JMB”) were granted a stay of proceedings (the “Initial Order”) from the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench issued under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the “CCAA”).FTI Consulting Canada Inc.

(“FTI”) has been appointed Monitor. In connection with the CCAA proceedings, the Court has authorized the implementation of a sale and investment solicitation process (the “SISP”). As part of the SISP, Sequeira Partners has been engaged as the Sale Advisor and is soliciting proposals from qualified interested parties.

For over 30 years, JMB has been producing and supplying aggregates for leading oil field companies, road construction, and industrial projects throughout Alberta.  The business has access to numerous gravel pits and maintains a significant inventory of aggregate for immediate distribution with one of the largest reserves of aggregates in Alberta. 

All qualified interested parties will be provided with an opportunity to participate in the SISP. The SISP is intended to solicit interest in the sale of, or investment in, JMB or all or any part of JMB’s property, assets and undertakings and its business operations on an as is where is basis. The SISP Process is a two-phased process with the Phase 1 bid deadline set for June 19, 2020. The completion of any proposal shall be subject to the approval of the Court.

Copies of court ordered documents and the SISP may be obtained from the Monitor’s website at cfcanada.fticonsulting.com/jmb/.

Those interested in participating in the SISP can contact the Sale Advisor to receive additional information at sequeirapartners.com/JMB , jmb@sequeirapartners.com or 780-784-0124.

Building a Bigger Voice

Western Canada’s road building associations are working together on a joint policy paper to amplify their message.

Cover Feature – http://thinkbigmagazine.ca/digital/2020/Q2/page_1.html

The generosity from our membership never ceases to amaze me. 

Even during a down market, during which some of the members are struggling more than others, we continue to assist those in our communities who are in need of help.

Earlier this month, several of our members graciously donated to the Food Banks of Saskatchewan Feeding Saskatchewan Together Campaign. Nutrien, the Saskatchewan Construction Association, Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association and Merit Contractors also donated.

Kelly Panteluk Construction took the lead with a $100,000 donation. Other members quickly followed with monetary donations of their own.

Genco Asphalt ($1,000), SaskCon Repair Services ($1,000), Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers ($5,000), DJ Miller & Sons Construction ($5,000), Shaw Earth Moving ($5,000), Nemanishen Construction ($1,000) and Carmacks Enterprises ($7,500) and C. Duncan Construction ($1,000) also donated.

At last count, together we had raised more than $300,000.

“Saskatchewan has been our home – where we’ve lived and worked – for generations. We have been fortunate to continue working during these extraordinary times and look at this as one way we can help take care of each other to support those who are struggling. Together we are building today for tomorrow,” said Mary Panteluk of Kelly Panteluk Construction.

Over the years, many of our members have stepped up and taken a leadership role to better serve the communities we call home. We’ve donated to various local charities, sponsored community events and helped out with school activities and sports that keep our kids active.  

The 32 Food Banks across our province are on the front lines working to support those in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Did you know the cost to supply food to those in need across Saskatchewan is approximately $1 million a month? And roughly 40 per cent of distributed food supplies go to children.

“The support we are seeing from organizations and individuals across the province is remarkable and will make an incredible impact on those that we serve,” said Laurie O’Connor, executive director of Food Banks of Saskatchewan.

An integrated planning process supports the achievement of our organization’s strategic imperatives. Integration begins at the Board level with strategic planning, continues through operational planning with executive management, and extends to tactical planning by divisions, business units and individuals.

When completed successfully, our employees have a clear line of sight from their daily activities to the WCB’s long-term strategic success.

The Strategic Plan is rooted in the Meredith Principles and describes what the WCB holds to be true about Saskatchewan’s compensation system, our stakeholders, and the nature of our relationships with workers, employers and the people of Saskatchewan.

Click here to download or view WCB’s strategic planning documents online.

36 RMs to Receive Road Grants in First year of Plan

The provincial government is investing $28 million to improve rural roads in Saskatchewan rural municipalities (RMs). Thirty-six RMs will receive funding this year, which will cover up to 50 per cent of total projects’ costs to a maximum of $500,000.

This is the first year of a three-year plan with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) to improve 100 rural roads through the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program. The program will also provide grants to improve RM bridges. Details are being worked out and will be announced at a later date.

“Our government is investing in infrastructure that keeps our rural economies growing and improves safety,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Greg Ottenbreit said. “This program supports rural infrastructure in addition to assisting with the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In addition to helping RMs address their infrastructure challenges, the RIRG program also supports agriculture, energy, forestry and other rural-based sectors.

“Many rural areas are in dire need of investments to help alleviate the stress on their current infrastructure,” said Ray Orb, president of SARM. “The provincial program helps support the cost of constructing and upgrading municipal roads, bridges and culverts in rural Saskatchewan.”

“We continue to work with SARM on a plan to address RM bridges and expect to have details available in the coming weeks,” Ottenbreit said.

Formerly known as the Municipal Roads for the Economy Program, the RIRG will continue to assist RMs with the costs of constructing and upgrading municipal roads, bridges and culverts to support growth.  One of the changes is allowing RMs to complete construction projects over two years.  

Some rural road projects have been approved already, so work can begin this construction season.  A second intake for additional projects will begin soon.

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $9.8 billion in highways infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 15,500 km of Saskatchewan highways.  Another $300 million in highways stimulus funds will be invested over the next two years to stimulate Saskatchewan’s economic recovery.