by SHCA SHCA

New SHCA Affinity Partner: Shamii

A new partner to the SHCA affinity program is Shamii, a pickup–drop off full service for your vehicles. By using Shamii, SHCA members can avoid lineups, wait times, arranging pickups, drop offs or awkward courtesy car rides with strangers. Shamii chauffeurs pick up your vehicle from wherever you are, detail your car with the package you choose and then deliver it back to you.

SHCA members, use the promo code “SHCA21” and receive a 10 per cent discount on all packages.

Click here for more information about Shamii.

by SHCA SHCA

Changes to the WCB’s Employer Initial Report of Injury (E1) Form

To continuously improve its customer service, the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has made changes to the online E1 form.

The new features of the online E1 form include:

  • A document upload feature: Employers will be able to attach documentation with the E1 form submission. This could include pictures related to the worker’s injury, incident reports or medical notes.
  • Fewer required fields – This will allow users to get the E1 form submitted to the WCB faster so injured workers can get the support they need sooner.
  • Fewer questions – Based on the feedback from users, the E1 form was redesigned so the WCB is not asking questions that did not provide value for an injured worker to receive support.
  • An enhanced dashboard that gives the users a better view of what E1s are submitted and saved.

When you submit your E1 form online, the form is automatically entered into the WCB system, which eliminates delays that can occur if mailed.

by SHCA SHCA

The SHCA Hot Seat

Featuring Jeff Hagerty, PCL Construction Management Inc.

1. Where are you from?

I moved to Saskatchewan when I was two and have lived here ever since. So, I’m from Saskatchewan.

2. Who do you credit to getting you where you are today in the heavy construction industry?

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with some great, hardworking people and memorable projects from highway realignments, dyke repairs, undergrounds and new bridge construction. I thank everyone who I’ve worked with over the years because I’ve learned from some amazing people.

3. What is your career history?

I spent 10 years working with a consulting engineer, a short career with a piling firm and then 16 years working for general contractors, from a successful regional GC to now working for PCL Construction, Canada’s largest general contractor.

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

Treat people the way you want to be treated and protect your reputation.

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

I love driving past a project that I had a part in completing. And I cherish the working relationships I’ve had that have lasted more than two decades.

6. How long have you been an SHCA member?

Three years.

7. What’s your greatest fear?

When I die and meet the person I could have become, not recognizing him (i.e., not fulfilling my full potential).

8. Which living person do you admire most?

My father – he’s been a great role model for my entire life.

9. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Working as a general contractor – you get to assemble a multidisciplined team to build a project together from start to finish. It’s extremely rewarding.

10. What’s your greatest regret?

Not working for a contractor right out of school.

by SHCA SHCA

Melfort STARS Heliport Project

Redhead Equipment is pleased to announce that it was named the Mission Lead Pilot Donor of the Melfort Heliport Fundraising Campaign with a contribution of $100,000.

“Since acquiring the dealership in Melfort, we have strived to support our customer’s needs and to give back to Melfort and its surrounding communities. The health and safety of our customers, staff and community is of great importance to Redhead Equipment, and we hope this $100,000 donation reflects our commitment to the people of northeastern Saskatchewan,” said Gary Redhead.

The Melfort Hospital serves approximately 12,200 people and previously did not have a heliport. All patient transfers occurred by ground EMS directly or through the Melfort Airport via fixed wing air ambulance or STARS service. The City of Melfort proposed developing a heliport beside the Melfort Hospital. The landing area would be a certified area used by STARS for the transport of patients from the emergency department at the hospital.

The heliport is an important service for the growing community of Melfort and area. The greatest risk for patients being transported is during handover. With STARS service, the care team can come right to the patient, get a report from the team providing care and transfer directly to tertiary care in Saskatoon.

A heliport will save STARS critical time, in some cases up to 50 minutes from Melfort to Saskatoon’s hospitals.

“When I reached out to Gary Redhead about supporting the Heliport Project in Melfort, there was no hesitation,” said Heliport Fundraising Committee member, Rod Gantefoer. “Redhead Equipment is a proud, active member of all the communities they serve throughout Saskatchewan and is committed to supporting charities and community organizations across the province, through sponsorship, donations and participation.”

Thanks to the support of businesses and families in the Melfort area, the campaign has raised more than $750,000.

Peggy George, chairman of the North Central Health Care Foundation stated, “Raising funds during a pandemic had its own special challenge, but with the support of all our donors, we have been able to exceed our fundraising goal by over $100,000. Excess funds from this campaign will further the work of the foundation. The foundation plays an important role in supporting our local healthcare professionals by providing funding for equipment in the facilities throughout the district.”

As of Dec. 1, 2020, the helipad was completed and certified by Transport Canada, now making it operational. Redhead Equipment is happy to know that every time STARS lands in Melfort, their team helped make it happen.

by Martin Charlton Communications Martin Charlton Communications

Don’t be Boring. Be Human.

Most of us have a personal life with hobbies and interests when we’re away from the office. It’s important to give your clients and customers a peek into what makes you tick.

Why is People magazine consistently one of the most well-read magazines on the planet? That’s easy. People love to read about other people.

Read more
by SHCA SHCA

The New SHCA Job Board

Are you hiring? SHCA members can now post available positions on the SHCA Job Board!

Now on SHCA’s website, browse open positions and begin a meaningful career in construction today.

Click here to view the SHCA Job Board and learn how to submit a posting.

Shantel Lipp
by SHCA SHCA

Staying the Course

While some of our members continue to stay busy with projects during the winter months, the majority are well settled into their off-season routines.

Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 travel restrictions in place, this year’s brief winter getaway to a warmer climate was put on hold.

As we glance at the calendar, we see we’re nearly halfway through February. This means we’re inching closer to what should be a busy season for our industry. Spring will be here before we know it.

When that time comes to slip back into our boots and work gear, we need to be mindful of our coworkers and remember the health and safety protocols on our job sites remain in effect.

We saw several changes to how we went about our work over the last year. Physical distancing, wearing a mask, frequent sanitizing of equipment and washing of hands often need to continue to happen on all job sites this year. We grew accustomed to these guidelines last year and now is a good time to offer a reminder.

Our industry was one of the few in our province that was fortunate to work relatively unimpeded through the varying levels of economic slowdown last year.

Yes, we are an essential service and the work we do is important. But we maintained our work schedule last year because we were responsible and adhered to our health and safety guidelines. You should be commended for that.

We’re well aware of what one positive COVID-19 test result would likely mean to an entire crew. Nobody wants to get sick and miss work and be forced to shut down a project because someone was careless and ignored protocols.

We follow the health and safety guidelines not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because we want to be healthy and we want our coworkers to be healthy so we can all safely return home to our families.

Here’s to a safe, healthy and busy season ahead!

by SHCA SHCA

Virtually Unstoppable: CCA Annual Conference

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is hosting their annual conference virtually for 2021.

From March 23 to 25, CCA will bring industry members together to share best practices, network, stay current on industry trends and celebrate member accomplishments through its National Awards program. The virtual event will feature flexible scheduling with a mix of live stream and pre-recorded/on demand programming.

Click here to learn more and to register.

More Funding For Major Improvements On Many Of Saskatchewan’s Busiest Urban Highways
by SHCA SHCA

Premier Moe Announces $3 Million Boost To Urban Highways Partnerships

The Government of Saskatchewan is making an additional $3 million in capital funding available to improve conditions on highways in Saskatchewan’s smaller cities.  The additional funding will boost capital dollars in the Urban Highway Connector Program (UHCP) to $10 million over two years.

“We committed to making the investments necessary to ensure a strong economic recovery for our province,” Premier Scott Moe said.  “This funding boost will create jobs, enhance safety and support transportation infrastructure in our municipalities.”

UHCP was created in 2008 to provide stable funding and service levels on highways within city limits that connect to the provincial networks.  The program provides financial assistance to urban municipalities for the maintenance, operation and rehabilitation of these roadways.

UHCP funded significant rehabilitation projects in Regina, Estevan, and Yorkton in the 2020-21 budget year, along with lighting upgrades in Lloydminster and starting a regional planning project in the Swift Current area.  Rehabilitation projects in Prince Albert, Estevan, Meadow Lake, Lloydminster, Humboldt, North Battleford, Moose Jaw and Yorkton have been identified as priorities in the UHCP’s multi-year plan.

Through a detailed review of UHCP, towns and cities requested changes to the program.  One of the most significant changes is the Ministry of Highways assuming 100 per cent of the maintenance and rehabilitation costs for urban connectors in Saskatchewan towns as of April 1, 2021, reducing the number of municipalities competing for UHCP dollars each year.  Changes are also being made to how funding is allocated to Regina and Saskatoon.

The Government of Saskatchewan is meeting its target of improving more than 1,000 km of provincial highways this year, the first of its 10-year Growth Plan goal to build and upgrade 10,000 km of highways.

Since 2008, the province has invested more than $200 million into improving urban highways in Saskatchewan over and above municipal revenue sharing.  During that same period, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $9.8 billion in highways infrastructure, improving more than 15,800 km of Saskatchewan highways.