by SHCA SHCA

SGI CANADA Names New Chief Operating Officer

Andrew Voroney has been appointed as the new executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer (COO) of SGI CANADA, effective June 1, 2021.

With 17 years of experience in the insurance industry, including the past five years serving as SGI CANADA’s vice president of commercial lines and regional vice president (RVP), Saskatchewan Operations, Voroney brings a wealth of industry knowledge, strong corporate background and innovative leadership to the position.

Building on an industry background in underwriting, product development and risk analysis, Voroney joined SGI CANADA in 2016. Since that time, he’s led the Commercial Underwriting and Product Management teams nationally as VP, and broadened his areas of responsibility into Personal lines, claims and broker partnership as RVP, bridging corporate and operational responsibilities. He has successfully managed profitable growth, streamlined processes and expanded the company’s use of technology and innovation.

“While these priorities are important, the relationships we have with our staff, partners and customers are at the heart of our business, and these are all areas where Andrew excels,” said president and CEO Andrew Cartmell. “He’s developed strong teams and leaders who can confidently face the challenges of our ever-evolving industry, and support productive, successful partnerships with brokers. This all leads to providing an exceptional experience for customers.”

“I’m excited to take on the role of COO of such a fantastic organization, at a critical point in our industry,” said Voroney. “Technology, the reinvention of our processes and services and the changes in our broker network present new opportunities for the future. It’s a privilege to be tasked with overseeing the exciting innovations SGI CANADA has planned, while staying true to our company’s roots of strong customer and broker service.”

Voroney will be replacing outgoing EVP and COO, Randy MacFarlane, as he transitions to retirement at the end of this year. Until that time, MacFarlane will lead the Corporate Insurance Division of SGI CANADA as EVP and chief insurance officer (CIO).

“It’s crucial that we have the right people leading SGI CANADA into the future, to ensure we remain a stable, consistent and sophisticated insurer our partners and customers can count on,” said Cartmell. “Andrew will hit the ground running in his new role given both the corporate knowledge he’s gained and his hands-on experience running day-to-day operations. He truly understands our business and how to make it work.”

Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

President’s Message

Meeting with a group that is open to advice and generous with their insights is an empowering experience that helps to develop one another.

A group like that came together recently to create that experience for women in construction. We met as the Women in Construction – TEC Group for its inaugural meeting. This introductory meeting was held to gauge the interest in this type of a group holding ongoing meetings to support those involved.

Women from various sectors of construction who are living and working in many different communities in the province met on May 20 to learn about TEC and gain peer support and offer advice. Some of the women had been working in their field for decades while others were new to theirs. Their roles covered a wide array of functions, from ownership to human resources to fleet management.

It was an important opportunity to draw out the perspective of women discussing the challenges, issues and successes in the construction industry. The group discussed navigating work relationships, giving one another suggestions on how to ensure those in the relationship recognize it is strictly professional. Others were looking for input on human resources challenges, including onboarding new employees who primarily speak a language other than English. Great ideas were generated through the discussions to help find solutions to common concerns.

Coming together to discuss challenges and opportunities related to business and career development is important for anyone building their career. Sitting down on a scheduled basis to have these discussions with people who have similar life experience can be reassuring.

There is interest in another meeting being scheduled to allow for the conversation to continue and to welcome additional women interested in an opportunity like this. Given the busy season that is summer, the plan is to schedule the next meeting sometime in late August.

If you would like to participate, please send me an email to get more information, including the date once one is set. You can email me at slipp@saskheavy.ca

Shantel Lipp
by SHCA SHCA

Springtime in Saskatchewan

Springtime in Saskatchewan is similar to the sounding of the starter’s pistol – it’s time for road builders and our members to get to work.

Many contractors will be returning to job sites this month in what is anticipated to be a busy construction season in our province.

While many of us experienced change over the past year because of the restraints brought on by the pandemic, our primary focus as we return to work remains unchanged – safety on the job site.

The more things change, the more they remain the same. We all want to return home at the end of the workday in the same shape we arrived that morning.

This means we continue to adhere to the health and safety protocols on job sites. We use the proper personal protective equipment when handling machinery and tools; we obey the speed limits in orange zones and watch for others entering those zones; we lend a hand to our coworkers; we try to be physically distant whenever possible and we wash and sanitize our hands regularly.

We just wrapped up our Safe Digging Month campaign in April and reminded both contractors and the public to call for a free line locate when digging around underground infrastructure. This essential step in the safe digging process is ensuring all underground utility lines are located and marked.

These friendly reminders are nothing new to contractors. We all did our part last year and followed the health and safety guidelines that were instituted. I want to commend everyone for a safe season in 2020.

We all want that trend to continue this summer.

Rural roads, bridges set for upgrades this year

On May 10, the provincial government announced 69 rural municipalities are to receive $25.7 million under Phase 3 of the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program.

The grants cover up to 50 per cent of a project’s total cost, to a maximum of $500,000.

Through the RIRG program, the government is helping RMs improve 219 roads at a cost of $233.6 million, with $55.5 million of that provided through the program.

There are 63 projects from phases 1 and 2 that are underway.

Our members are working on more than 1,350 kilometres of highways this year.

by SHCA SHCA

Budget 2021 Affirms the Value of Infrastructure Investment in Driving Economic Recovery

The April 19 release of the Federal Budget lays some important groundwork for a strong economic recovery and delivers against four of the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) pre-budget asks, including increased support for green and trade-enabling infrastructure investment, workforce capacity building, a commitment to beginning a 25-year infrastructure plan and investment to advance innovation in construction. While these new programs are welcome, the budget does not address how to expedite already committed funds, says CCA, the national association representing Canada’s non-residential construction industry.

“The budget endorses the valued role of the heavy civil, institutional, commercial and industrial construction sector to building back better,” said Mary Van Buren, CCA president. “However, an equal commitment is needed to facilitate the quick and unfettered roll-out of these proposed investments.” 

With improved coordination, communication and transparency between federal, provincial and municipal governments, infrastructure investments can be delivered more efficiently, addressing the real and immediate needs of communities, speeding up the start of projects, minimizing boom-bust cycles, getting people back to work and securing a steady supply chain. 

News of greater investment aimed at building a greener, more sustainable economy aligns with the CCA’s recently released white paper, Strength, resilience, sustainability. CCA recommends that the federal government also adjust its procurement criteria to accelerate the adoption of new processes, materials or technology, by taking on more of this risk, which currently rests with contractors.

Workforce capacity development is essential to Canada’s economic recovery and our long-term global competitiveness. The goal of the proposed Apprenticeship Service aimed at connecting 55,000 first year apprentices to jobs in the construction and manufacturing Red Seal trades will provide education, training and jobs for youth, Indigenous people, women, racialized Canadians, persons with disabilities and other groups traditionally underrepresented in the trades. This directly aligns with the industry’s workforce diversity efforts through CCA’s Talent Fits Here campaign and we are highly encouraged by its inclusion in Budget 2021. Additional attention needs to be paid to growing the participation of these same groups in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) so they may lead and support the industry’s digital transformation.

Creating a program to temporarily subsidize new hiring at $1,100 per month for every new employee and continuing the wage and rent subsidies will help small and medium-sized businesses in Canada’s construction sector contribute to employment, job creation and economic growth.

The complexities of infrastructure require leadership, long-term vision and consistency to deliver optimum benefits to all Canadians. The two-year $500 million Canada Community Revitalization Fund is a welcome announcement, and the commitment to funding Infrastructure 2050 is a positive step forward. 

CCA is encouraged to see increased funding over three years to the federal Internal Trade Secretariat to accelerate its work reducing interprovincial trade barriers within Canada, a long-standing policy that CCA continues to champion.

CCA looks forward to continuing our work with the federal government on building an inclusive and green economy, driving innovation, boosting employment opportunities and supporting Canadian businesses. Strengthening investor confidence and reducing red tape are also important outcomes.

An investment in sustainable infrastructure is an investment in Canada and our communities, and the construction industry is willing and able to partner with the government. We remain committed to helping our country re-build its economy and improve the quality of life of all Canadians.

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by SHCA SHCA

Western Canadian Construction Facing Perfect Storm Brewing in Building Material Costs

The perfect COVID-19 storm is brewing, driving up the price of mainstay construction materials by up to 300 per cent with no real end in sight.

The pandemic is being blamed for much of the supply chain and delivery problems while demand is being driven by home-bound individuals spending vacation dollars on home construction over-heating the low-interest general construction market in both the U.S. and Canada.

At the same time, governments have been pumping billions into infrastructure recovery programs.

Flying high are wood product values with Western spruce-pine-fir (SPF) dimensional lumber prices tripling, cedar landscaping product prices doubling, and plywood per sheet prices tripling in three months.

Steel has also been slammed.

Read the full article from ConstructConnect.

by SHCA SHCA

The SHCA Hot Seat

Featuring Marty Willfong, SHCA board member and COO/co-owner of the Magnorum Group

1. Where are you from?

Moose Jaw, Sask.

2. How did you get your start in the heavy construction industry and who do you credit for getting you where you are today?

After university, I was hired as the utilities engineer and promoted a year later to city engineer for the City of Prince Albert. I credit Arnie McKay, city manager, for taking a chance on a young engineer. The first job provided me with great experience and a strong foundation for my career.

3. What is your career history?

After being with the City of Prince Albert for four years, I moved to B.C., where I was the city engineer for the City of Penticton and later the director of engineering, development and building inspection for the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen. I then moved back to Regina, where I accepted the position of director of water and sewer for the City of Regina. After spending most of my career in the public sector, I transitioned into the private sector 11 years ago with the Morsky Group of Companies. I am currently the chief operating officer and co-owner of the Magnorum Group (formerly Morsky Group).

4. What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?

My grandfather told me that it doesn’t matter what you do in life, just be the best at it. I don’t claim to be the best at what I do, but I strive to be, and I know that was his point.

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

Definitely the people and the relationships that are created. I have found that Saskatchewan people tend to have strong work ethics and are business focused. Even with this focus, they don’t let that get in the way of establishing strong relationships with each other.

6. What is the trait you deplore in others?

Lying and arrogance. I tend to gravitate away from people who have either of these two traits.

7. Where would you most like to live?

Winters in Maui, summers in the Okanagan. That’s my retirement plan, anyway.

8. What do you most value in your friends?

Honesty and a great sense of humour. I also know that my closest friends will always be there when I need them.

9. Who are your favourite writers?

George R. R. Martin, Dan Brown, J. K. Rowling

10. Who are your heroes in real life?

My grandfather – from a very young age, he always believed in me and taught me about having a strong work ethic and high morals.