Shantel Lipp - SHCA President
by SHCA SHCA

Ready to Work

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure recently unveiled fall tenders for projects for a record $437.4 million in highway work. That’s the largest total in Saskatchewan history.

As is the case with every tender schedule, our members wait with cautious optimism to see how and when these projects will hit the market. Needless to say, there’s a lot of work to be had and it’s certainly a welcomed sight for many in our industry.

Our government deserves praise for delivering an early schedule and for its willingness to work with industry to effectively deliver the work set to come out this year. We can believe this is a result of our tireless lobbying to government officials to have the tender schedule released as early as possible.

Clearly, the government understands the importance of kickstarting the economy as it took a massive blow earlier this year from the COVID-19 stimulus package. Our industry plays a major role in the restart of the economy.

As we’re well aware, early tendering is critical. More importantly, expediting the awarding of contracts is even more so to allow contractors to bid responsibly. Our members take on an extreme amount of risk during a routine construction season. However, this year is anything but routine.

With stimulus money granted to various municipalities and government agencies, a quick procurement process will be the key to our industry’s success or failure in the delivery of the program.

We’re aware much of the work will hit the market later in the year. But having an early game plan helps in planning for the year ahead. There will be bidding on stimulus projects tendered by RMs, cities and towns, as well as by the Water Security Agency. This is why it’s important that these upcoming projects are sequenced properly integrated where possible. 

We are now working with the province to ensure that happens both for the success of our industry and also for the economy. The quicker we can get to work, the quicker we can get people back to work.

by SHCA SHCA

Apply now for the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund

Canada United is offering small business relief grants of up to $5,000 to help small Canadian businesses with recovery efforts as a result of COVID-19. The grant funds will grow over the next several weeks as every video watched and social post liked from Canada United will result in a five-cent contribution from RBC. Funds can be used for PPE, renovations, or e-commerce capabilities. 

To determine if you’re eligible to apply for a relief grant or learn more about this program, visit occ.ca/canadaunited-sk. Conditions apply.

About Canada United

The #CanadaUnited campaign is a nationwide small and local business campaign encouraging Canadians to buy local. RBC, “corporate Canada,” business associations and major media partners have teamed up to start a movement, Canada United™, where everyday Canadians and large businesses come together in support of small and local businesses. The movement will start with a #CanadaUnited campaign where Canadians are asked to complete “micro-actions” (likes, views, etc.) in support of small and local businesses on social media. In short, Canada United encourages action from everyday Canadians and corporate Canada and kick-starts the recovery of local economies and small businesses. 

Learn more at GoCanadaUnited.ca.

by SHCA SHCA

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce launches Indigenous Business Directory

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (SCC) has officially launched its Indigenous Business Directory, as part of its Indigenous Engagement Charter. The Indigenous Business Directory will ensure that more Indigenous-owned businesses can participate in the Saskatchewan supply chain and will allow for increased engagement between members of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and Indigenous-owned businesses in the province.

The SCC’s Indigenous Engagement Charter was launched in January 2020 and serves as a road map to provide businesses with tools to achieve engagement and assists the business community in demonstrating the role it must play in reconciliation. The Indigenous Business Directory is an important addition to the resources offered by the Indigenous Engagement Charter and is a valuable tool for businesses that are wanting to meaningfully engage with the Indigenous business community in Saskatchewan.

“We are pleased to announce the launch of our Indigenous Business Directory. This is an important addition to the toolkit provided in the Indigenous Engagement Charter and we are excited to offer this service to Indigenous-owned businesses and those looking to engage with Indigenous-owned business alike,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

“There is huge potential for industry in all sectors across our province to benefit from this directory. It’s time for business to work with Indigenous-owned businesses and create long-lasting, meaningful partnerships that will benefit all Saskatchewan residents. The goal is to connect industry with Indigenous-owned businesses, and in turn benefit the communities and families they serve,” said Nick Crighton, Director of Indigenous Engagement at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

The Indigenous Business Directory focuses on Indigenous-owned businesses, defined as 51%+ Indigenous-owned, and includes verified and non-verified businesses. The online portal allows for businesses to set up a profile and provide additional information such as locations, services offered and contact details. Businesses in the directory have been contacted and encouraged to claim their profile and update all details. Adding verified Indigenous-owned businesses to the directory will open up the market and provide an opportunity for more connections to be made.

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is encouraging all Saskatchewan businesses to use the Directory in their procurement and partnership plans. By doing so, businesses will gain quality suppliers and help the overall economy grow.

Find out more about the Indigenous Engagement Charter, its investors and signatories, and the Indigenous Business Directory on the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce website here.

by SHCA SHCA

Up For The Challenge

Infrastracture stimulus supports economic recovery

By: Lisa Danyluk, SaskBuilds

In early May 2020, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that it will invest $7.5 billion (B) over two years in infrastracture projects like schools, hospitals, municipal infrastracture, highways and more to stimulate the province’s economic revobery. This funding included a new $2B “booster shot” over and above what the province had originally intended to spend on infrastracture over the next two years.

Read it here.

by SHCA SHCA

Chief Electoral Officer recommends preparations continue for Oct. 26 vote

The Chief Electoral Officer recommended late last week that preparations should continue to hold the 29th Provincial General Election this October. This recommendation is based on public health advice from the Chief Medical Health Officer as well as input from provincial electoral stakeholders.

“Earlier today, I sent a letter to Premier Scott Moe to inform him that, at present, from a public health and electoral operational perspective, there is no reason Saskatchewan should not continue to prepare for a general election on its legislatively scheduled date of Oct. 26, 2020,” said Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan, on Sept. 4.

“This conclusion was formed, in part, based on the advice and information provided by an electoral advisory group. It was also informed by input from the chief official agents of the province’s registered political parties, as well as from Elections Saskatchewan’s field leadership team throughout the province and our head office leadership team here in Regina.”

The electoral advisory group met four times over the past three months and consisted of:

  • Michael Boda, Saskatchewan’s Chief Electoral Officer;
  • Saqib Shahab, the Province’s Chief Medical Health Officer;
  • The Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Government House Leader; and
  • Cathy Sproule, Opposition House Leader

While not a decision-making body, the advisory group was an important mechanism that helped to inform the Chief Electoral Officer’s public recommendation on the viability of an October 26 election. Dr. Boda had committed to make this public recommendation in early May.

“I would like to thank all three external members of the group,” Dr. Boda said. “Their input and participation helped to shape my recommendation, ensuring that the coming general election can be conducted safely and with integrity.”

Elections Saskatchewan (ESK) is the province’s nonpartisan election management body and an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. ESK directs and supervises the administration of provincial electoral events, including the 2020 provincial election.

Information for voters, workers, media, candidates and parties is available at www.elections.sk.ca.

by SHCA SHCA

Brandt completes GeoShack/INTEQ acquisition

The Brandt Group of Companies is pleased to announce that, effective July 10, they have successfully acquired the assets of GeoShack Canada Company and the Canadian assets of INTEQ Distributors. This acquisition, which directly affects the Ontario and Quebec markets, makes Brandt the exclusive dealer for Topcon Positioning Systems and other complimentary tools and technology for the entire Canadian market.

The announcement follows Brandt’s recent acquisition of Sokkia Canada and is the latest in a series of acquisitions and dealer agreements by the Regina, Sask.-based company since their purchase of Ontario/Quebec/Newfoundland and Labrador John Deere Construction & Forestry dealer Nortrax in late 2019.

“We’ve worked hard to make this a great deal for our survey, engineering and construction customers in Ontario and Quebec,” said Brandt CEO, Shaun Semple. “Our national infrastructure will allow us to build on the strong foundation laid down by the GeoShack and INTEQ teams to deliver greater-than-ever access to equipment and support services.”

The GeoShack and INTEQ brands and operations will be transitioned into the company’s nationwide Brandt Positioning Technology division.

A recent agreement with Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. has also assigned Brandt distribution rights for the Quebec market, making them the exclusive dealer for Topcon construction and geopositioning products for all of Canada. Brandt’s 56 locations from coast-to-coast-to-coast coupled with GeoShack’s strategic locations in Ontario will position Brandt, with the industry’s largest team of experts, to provide an unmatched degree of aftersales support.  

In combination with Brandt’s pre-existing Topcon footprint in Western and Atlantic Canada, these additions have given Brandt a comprehensive retail footprint to supply premium geopositioning equipment to the entire Canadian market. The agreement further establishes the firm’s position as one of the country’s premier privately held companies.

by SHCA SHCA

WorkSafe Saskatchewan forms partnership with leading Canadian psychological health expert

Mental health injuries are on the rise across our province and our country. To develop a long-term strategy, which will include resources to assist Saskatchewan employers deal with psychological health issues in the workplace, WorkSafe Saskatchewan has formed a partnership with Dr. Joti Samra, one of Canada’s foremost psychological health and wellness experts. WorkSafe is the workplace injury prevention partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.

“We’re very excited to partner with Dr. Samra to develop a long-term psychological health and safety strategy for the province. Part of the initiative within the strategy will be to develop a resource centre available on WorkSafe’s website, which will include not only written resources, but also podcasts, videos, blogs and webinars,” said Kevin Mooney, the WCB’s vice-president of prevention and employer services. “The centre will provide Saskatchewan employers with the online tools they need to develop and sustain psychologically healthy and safe work environments for their employees.”

Samra will provide hands-on support by offering office hours for consultation. There will be peer learning groups and specific resources for high-risk industries experiencing a larger number of psychological claims. WorkSafe Saskatchewan is looking to build capacity to deliver value-added service on this topic to employers and workers in the province.

While mental health claims only account for a small percentage of the workplace claims submitted in Saskatchewan, those numbers are on the rise. The number of primary mental health claims accepted by the Saskatchewan WCB has increased by 213 per cent from 2015 to 2019. This represents 952 psychological injury claims. The number of accepted psychological injury claims has increased each year, from 98 in 2015 to 307 in 2019. More WCB statistics are attached.

“I’m very pleased to work with the Saskatchewan WCB on this important initiative,” said Samra. “The benefits to employers who invest in sustainable psychological health and safety management systems are considerable, including increased employee productivity and engagement, reduced absenteeism and fewer (and shorter in duration) disability claims.”

Samra (bio attached) is a national expert on issues relating to psychological health, wellness and resilience. Her research has contributed significantly to the evolution and development of a national standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace. She is also the CEO and founder of MyWorkplaceHealth, a full-suite national workplace consulting firm.

The resource centre will offer tools and resources for Saskatchewan employers wanting to launch psychological health and safety systems in their workplaces, or enhance their existing efforts. The centre will also provide answers to some commonly asked questions and direct users to specific WCB resources for more assistance. It will be available this fall on the WorkSafe website.

by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan job numbers continue to improve

When the COVID pandemic hit, Saskatchewan’s economy was the least affected among the provinces. Our relatively small population is more focused on business-to-business activity than many of the more densely populated areas such as Toronto, where business-to-consumer is more heavily favoured.

Because of that differentiation, we saw fewer job losses on a percentage basis as the largest hit was taken by the service industry – businesses such as hotels and restaurants. We have plenty of those but, on a percentage basis, we have more industrial or export-oriented activity such as resource production and agriculture.

Those unique characteristics are clearly evident in the July job numbers. The monthly update came out Friday showing we brought back 13,000 jobs, giving us the second lowest unemployment rate in the country behind Manitoba at 8.8 per cent. Most provinces are still in double digits.

We also had the highest employment rate. The opposite of the unemployment rate, this tracks the percentage of people who want to work who have a job.

Source