by SHCA SHCA

The SHCA Hot Seat

  1. Where are you from?

Ponoka, Alberta

2. How did you get your start in the heavy construction industry?

I was able to get work coming out of high school with the company my father worked for.

3. What is your career history?

I spent 10 years in pre-cast concrete, and 46 years in road construction.

4. What’s the best piece of business or career advice you have or have been given?

Never be afraid of a challenge.

5. What’s your favourite thing about Saskatchewan and working in the industry?

Wide spaces under open skies

6. How long have you been a member of the SHCA?

25 years

7. On what occasion do you lie?

There is NO occasion where you need to lie

8. What do you dislike most about your appearance?

The wrinkles!

9. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“60-40”

10. Who is the greatest love of your life?

My wife – my companion for the last 46 years

11. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Carrying the Olympic torch in the 2010 Olympic games

by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

President’s Message

Together, we are better. Now that we can host and attend events, we have a few coming up that offer our members a great opportunity to move forward their interests. Mark your calendars with these events in November. 

The first is the MLA reception that the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association is hosting on Nov. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. This event is your opportunity to meet with provincial MLAs from both sides of the legislature to talk to them, face to face, about your business as well as the industry.

Whatever insights, issues or topics you think these MLAs need to recognize is up for discussion when we get together in Room 218 at the Legislative Building in Regina. Encourage other members to attend to speak to amplify the message you feel needs to get across. 

We ask that everyone planning to attend pre-register as the SHCA needs to provide the legislative staff with the list of names of those attending. To pre-register, please contact traceyk@saskheavy.ca or slipp@saskheavy.ca. The earlier you register, the better!

The second event is the SHCA Fall Convention, which is scheduled Nov. 25–26 in Saskatoon. For two days, we will gather at the Delta Bessborough Hotel and Convention Center to listen to speakers and participate in conversations about our industry. 

On Friday evening (Nov. 26) is the Chairman’s Banquet. New this year is that the capacity for this event is set at a maximum of 300 delegates. That makes registering and booking your room early extra important! 

Registration links are now open and available for the SHCA Room Block. More details about the convention will be coming out as we move towards November. 

Events such as these are important to our members because they help develop and strengthen the voice of the association. Gathering to share about our experiences, ideas and suggestions helps our members recognize and realize improvements and opportunities. It is how our members can find and form the connections that make their businesses and this industry even better. 

I look forward to seeing each and every one of you who takes part in these events and learning more about your current interests and ideas so I can best represent you and our industry. 

by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Martin Charlton Communications Leads Government Relations Session for SHCA Board

Government is a critical stakeholder in heavy construction.

When those in politics have a solid understanding of our industry, the decisions that get made are more likely to take into account the value we offer the province and its economy as well as the issues and concerns of those who make up the industry.

As you know, the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association is a member-driven association relied on to advocate for your interests. It is important to maintain a quality relationship with those who are elected to make decisions that impact our industry. 

SHCA has partnered with Martin Charlton Communications to ensure the most effective approach is used to represent our industry to elected officials and bureaucrats. Martin Charlton Communications has worked with local, regional, national and international organizations for the past two decades to help them connect with government by telling their story.

The right people need to be told that story and it needs to be told in the right way, which is what Martin Charlton Communications – and in particular, Kelly Gallagher – works with clients to develop. The strategies he creates help organizations promote their contributions, anticipate and avoid complications and guide them through the maze of government. Gallagher spent six years in professional political service on both the federal and provincial level – including serving as chief of staff for four provincial cabinet ministers, becoming one of the most well-known and respected figures in the Saskatchewan government relations industry. 

During the third week of August, Gallagher will meet with the SHCA board to discuss the six key factors to keep in mind when conducting a persuasive government relations campaign. This is an opportunity for the board to consider how these factors – patience, simple messaging, integrity, the influence of bureaucrats on politicians, alliances and maintaining contact – can be applied to our industry’s interests. 

The work required to maintain a mutually beneficial connection with government is never-ending and requires consistent attention and decisive action. The individuals elected to represent the citizens of Saskatchewan have so many perspectives and interests to consider. 

Taking the time to reflect on what it takes to effectively c0nsort with elected representatives, so that our industry and its interests receive the appropriate attention and consideration, is time well spent because of the benefits it will deliver to our membership. Infrastructure funding and fair bidding on projects, the regulation of our industry and safety matters are areas to focus on with government and this session with Gallagher should sharpen our focus and strengthen our tactics. 

The story we have to tell about our industry is one I take pride in telling during my interactions with those in government. Thank you for the opportunity to celebrate and advocate on your behalf.

by SHCA SHCA

Pavement Sealing Extending Life of Saskatchewan Roads

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This summer, motorists will see significant amounts of road sealing taking place across the province. Road sealing is a cost-effective method that extends the life of roads and highways by sealing cracks formed by temperature changes throughout the year.

“Seal-coating is an effective and useful tool in all areas of the province,” Minister of Highways Fred Bradshaw said. “This method takes just a few days and lasts 10 years – a worthwhile investment in our provincial highway network.”

In 2021, the Ministry plans to improve 510 kilometres of provincial roads and highways with pavement sealing, valued at over $20 million. Ministry crews will also be completing spot sealing throughout the province. This preventative maintenance treatment is completed on various spots to keep the moisture out of the roadbed. Without this treatment, the highways will deteriorate at a faster rate and will require more costly treatments in the future.

Pavement sealing works by covering the roadway with an oil-based substance. A layer of gravel is then placed on top. The mixture sits and cures for 24 hours and is then swept away by equipment, with the gravel collected for further use.

All pavement sealing sites are full construction zones with slower speed limits, additional signage and tripled speed fines. These are in place even when workers are not present to protect drivers and their vehicles. Speeding on the mixture can cause gravel sprays and damage to windshields, body panels and tires.

The Ministry of Highways publishes a weekly construction update to provide Saskatchewan residents with the latest details on projects that are underway. This update can be found at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/transportation/highway-construction-projects/weekly-highway-construction-update.    

The Government of Saskatchewan is improving more than 1,350 km of provincial highways as part of its 10-year Growth Plan goal to build and upgrade 10,000 km of highways. With this year’s projects, the province is ahead of the pace needed to meet this target.  

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $10.6 billion in highways infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 17,100 km of Saskatchewan highways.

by SHCA SHCA

Province Announces $13 Million in Funding for Skills Training Programs at Sask Polytech and Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission

goodluz/123rf

In July, the Government of Saskatchewan announced approximately $13 million in new funding for Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) to deliver education and skills training programs to help grow a skilled workforce in Saskatchewan. 

This funding allows both institutions to deliver a variety of education and skills training programs in support of the government’s commitment to engage with under-represented groups, create jobs in long-term care and increase the number of apprentices in the province.

“Saskatchewan’s greatest resource has always been its people and this funding supports the provincial Growth Plan priority to develop a skilled workforce in our province through education and training,” said Jeremy Harrison, Immigration and Career Training Minister. “As we emerge from the global pandemic and work to build a strong Saskatchewan, this funding will target training for economic opportunities, promote recruitment and retention of young people, support participation of those currently under-represented in the workforce, and continue growing an engaged and inclusive workforce for the future.”

A total of $11.3 million will be provided to Saskatchewan Polytechnic for the purpose of developing and delivering three training initiatives in 2021-22. A total of $1.68 million will be provided to the SATCC.

“We’re excited about this investment and what it means for our programming,” SATCC chief executive officer Jeff Ritter said.  “We already engage Saskatchewan youth and Indigenous communities through our well-established Indigenous Apprenticeship Initiative (IAI) and Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) programs. This funding will enable us to reach out in new, innovative ways. Ultimately, it will help facilitate a diverse, inclusive apprenticeship and trade certification system, one that is representative of our province’s population.”