The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has launched a new online portal and directory to improve the user experience for current and future Gold Seal Certified industry professionals. The new directory also allows employers and industry partners to easily verify and identify accredited professionals across Canada, supporting the program’s credibility and visibility.
“This portal and directory have been a very important project for our Gold Seal team over the last year as part of our ongoing commitment to digitize first,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president of the CCA. “The Gold Seal portal joins our various digital resources and directories, which help to maintain and increase integrity and transparency within our services.”
CCA’s Gold Seal Certification is a nationally recognized standard of excellence for construction management professionals. Earned through industry experience, education and examination, Gold Seal Certification enhances professional development, improves job mobility and demonstrates skills, competence, and experience.
“In our industry, we have to keep raising the bar – and that is exactly what our Gold Seal Certified workers and Gold Seal Employers do each and every day,” said Gilbert. “We will continue to make it easier for construction professionals to become Gold Seal Certified and encourage them to continue leading with the highest standard of excellence so our industry can continue to build a stronger Canada.”
Employees who enroll and complete Gold Seal Certification take pride in their work and expertise. As we seek to develop and enhance our workforce, programs like Gold Seal help to not only ensure confidence in the industry, but to set a standard to which new workers can model during the early stages of their career.
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney and his new members of Parliament from across the country for winning the confidence of Canadians.
“For Mark Carney and his administration, now is the time for action,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president of CCA. “A strong, sustainable and resilient Canada needs a strong, sustainable and resilient construction industry. To support Canadians, the next federal government must support construction.”
During the federal election, CCA launched Construction for Canadians, a campaign supported by Canada’s national, provincial and regional construction associations to emphasize the importance of construction to building the strong Canada that Canadians deserve.
“Beyond the economic impact, the construction industry builds the critical infrastructure Canadians rely on every day,” said Gilbert. “We build the schools where our children learn; the hospitals that care for us; the roads and highways that connect our communities and economies; and the housing that becomes our homes.”
Over the course of the campaign, Construction for Canadians received an outpouring of support from dozens of candidates across Canada and was featured in hundreds of media publications, discussing the priorities of the Canadian construction industry.
“This campaign has never been just about our industry – it’s about Canada and Canadians,” said Gilbert. “We cannot grow our economy or develop the infrastructure we need to compete globally and respond to political and economic challenges without construction.”
During this election, Carney and his candidates made various commitments which involve the construction industry. These commitments include:
Investing in critical, community-enabling infrastructure to connect Canadians and grow regional, provincial and economic economies.
Investing $5 billion for the new Trade Diversification Corridors Fund to support the development of trade infrastructure, including, but not limited to, ports, railways, airports and highways.
Deploying a made-in-Canada procurement strategy that prioritizes Canadian suppliers and supply chains.
Increasing labour mobility for skilled trades people between provinces and territories to address labour shortages.
“CCA will continue its work in close collaboration with the new government to ensure that Prime Minister Carney and his new administration keep their promises to the construction industry,” said Gilbert. “Only together can we build a strong foundation for Canada’s future.”
Presented by Northbridge Insurance, the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) National Awards ceremony was held on March 14, 2025, during the Annual Conference in Québec City. This year’s recipients represent the industry’s best and brightest. Congratulations to this year’s recipients for their exceptional contributions to the Canadian construction industry.
Geza Banfai, CCA 2024 Pinnacle Leader Award – sponsored by PCL Construction
An advocate for the Canadian construction industry for over 40 years, Geza’s commitment to legal reform, mentorship and the advancement of industry best practices promotes collaboration and efficiency in project execution, and helps the industry navigate challenges in an evolving legal landscape.
PCL Construction, CCA 2024 Environmental Achievement Award – sponsored by CHUBB Insurance Company of Canada
Recognizing PCL Construction for their Fairmont Royal York Decarbonization Project, which is a landmark achievement in sustainable construction, proving that even heritage buildings can evolve to meet modern environmental goals.
Construction Association of Nova Scotia, CCA 2024 Workforce Excellence Award – sponsored by RAISE Underwriting
Through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, the Construction Association of Nova Scotia is shaping a workforce that truly represents the communities it serves.
Calgary Construction Association, CCA 2024 Partner Association Award – sponsored by Bockstael Construction
The Calgary Construction Association is more than an industry leader – it’s a driving force for change. Affectionately known as “Little CCA,” the association is reshaping the industry by prioritizing services and focus areas that members need, such as dedicated public and media relations, advocacy and workforce strategies, and membership engagement events and activities.
Westcor Construction Ltd., CCA 2024 Gold Seal Award – sponsored by Travelers Canada
Westcor is a general contracting and construction management services company that aims to build a better world for clients, community and employees. Reflected by its people-first culture, Westcor empowers its people to reach their full potential and promotes Gold Seal certification as a recognized standard of excellence.
Anthony DeVito, CCA 2024 Young Leader Award – sponsored by McMillan LLP
Anthony DeVito, GSC, is a passionate advocate for the construction industry and has spearheaded multiple initiatives to address skilled labour shortages. His community spirit is equally inspiring, and in his just-over-a-decade long career, he has earned the respect of colleagues and industry peers alike.
Groupe AGF, CCA 2024 Community Leader Award – sponsored by Marsh Canada Limited
For AGF and the Gendron family, community involvement and a culture of philanthropy are an integral part of corporate life. With over $4.5 million donated to causes across Canada and more than 750 employee-led fundraising events since its foundation’s inception, AGF unites its workforce, strengthens communities and demonstrates that collective action can create lasting impact.
Enviro-Ex Contracting Ltd., CCA 2024 Excellence in Innovation Award – sponsored by Intact Surety
Enviro-Ex Contracting’s Highway 97 Cottonwood Hill Phase Two Slide project overcame extraordinary geotechnical challenges, setting new standards for efficiency, safety and environmental responsibility, and stands as a testament to the potential of advanced technological integration in heavy civil construction.
PCL Construction, CCA 2024 National Safety Award – sponsored by Vipond Inc.
At PCL Construction, safety isn’t just a priority – it’s a core value of every worker, every shift and every site. This unwavering commitment has led to zero fatalities in the past three years and an extraordinary 16.7 million hours worked without a lost-time incident. “This year’s award recipients demonstrate the best of the best of our industry. Congratulations to everyone for the recognition of their great achievements,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president of CCA.
The call for nominations for next year’s awards opens this fall.
Representing more than 18,000 member firms, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is proud of its mission to inspire a progressive, innovative and sustainable construction industry. The key to CCA’s collective success is working with its valued partner associations like the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA).
With an ongoing national housing crisis, the government’s prioritization of a low-carbon economy and mounting workforce shortage, CCA is capitalizing on the political attention to advocate for strategic investment and policies that will support our efforts to build a stronger Canada.
Investment in corresponding infrastructure for every new home built
A long-term plan to fill the gap in our trade-enabling infrastructure
Modernization of procurement strategies to support shared risk
Meaningful collaboration with provinces, municipalities and industry
Estimates indicate that each new housing unit requires up to $107,000 in public infrastructure dollars, so a significant investment is needed to build, support and connect these homes to essential vital services and amenities, like roadways, safe water and the energy grid. This represents a major shortfall in investment. Canada’s existing, not to mention aging, infrastructure is not prepared for the additional stress. One infrastructure failure can have many consequences.
CCA voiced these concerns at its Meech Lake meeting on Nov. 5, 2024. This meeting is a chance for industry experts from across Canada to connect with senior federal government officials to discuss critical issues affecting the industry. The second touchpoint for discussions was CCA’s annual Hill Day on Nov. 19, where close to 100 construction leaders from across Canada had over 75 meetings with parliamentarians and key decision-makers to discuss issues and opportunities facing the construction industry, including the need for improved infrastructure investment, support for workforce development and modernized procurement. It’s not promises that build the economy – it’s construction.
Awareness to action: Construction’s progress on net zero objectives
CCA expects this report will serve as a springboard for discussions with government on the need for greater investment and supportive policies to not only achieve net zero objectives, but also protect Canadians and the infrastructure they depend on daily from the escalating threats of extreme climate events.
Rebuilding Canada’s workforce
With an estimated 266,000 construction workers set to retire in the next decade and growing construction demands, there is a real need to partner with the federal government on workforce development strategies. The government’s recent decision to reduce immigration levels will come with challenges for the Canadian construction industry. CCA will continue to advocate for a balanced plan. Skilled workers are vital to meet the growing demand for infrastructure and housing. A well-balanced immigration policy that includes a re-evaluation of the current points system and considers the unique needs of our provinces can help ensure Saskatchewan fills the labour gaps in our sector and keep building Canada’s future.
It’s not promises that build the economy – it’s construction.
Member services at CCA
Through Best Practices Services, and the work of CCA’s National Advisory Councils, CCA has published its “Bid Go or No Go” guide and a reference document on mastering risk management in construction contracts. Look out for CCA’s most recent “Construction Playbook: Public Procurement Risk Allocation,” which outlines the fundamental principles of risk management in construction, highlights recent examples of risk transfer and offers practical mitigation strategies. These important documents reinforce CCA’s role as a thought leader and provide significant value back to its members.
CCA has launched its CONtact mentorship program for 2025, which will see an increase in mentees from three to five and an expanded presentation experience at the Annual Conference, demonstrating CCA’s continued commitment to innovation in construction. The CCA National Awards continue to celebrate excellence in the industry. The number of nominations received have consistently increased year over year, and staff are excited to begin the adjudication process for the 2024 Awards.
Simplifying contracts and guides
CCA is striving to make contract management simpler and more transparent for its members with its new contract management platform, SignaSurTM. SignaSur offers secure, digital CCA and CCDC contracts through its integrated partner associations. Many of CCA’s integrated partner associations have had a briefing on the service and are at various stages of adoption and launch.
Stay in touch!
Count on CCA to be a collaborative partner to SHCA, providing helpful tools, sharing best practices across the country and being a voice with the federal government.
Canada’s construction industry welcomes long overdue federal leadership on the National Infrastructure Assessment
After four years on the shelf, the federal government announced the council appointed to deliver the National Infrastructure Assessment. This initiative has long been a cornerstone of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA)’s advocacy, with representatives recently raising awareness of the issue on Parliament Hill in November, 2024.
The newly-appointed Canadian Infrastructure Council will prioritize housing-enabling infrastructure like water, wastewater, public transit, active transportation and waste management. While this is a promising first step, more action is needed. Infrastructure demands across the country also include transportation and trade-enabling projects, which are vital to strengthening Saskatchewan’s economy and connecting communities.
“We are thrilled to see the federal government finally take leadership in addressing the need for a long-term plan for Canada’s infrastructure,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president. “While the scope of the council is incomplete, we do appreciate the government finally listening to the industry responsible for building Canada’s infrastructure.”
While the industry is overall pleased with the announcement, the newly-formed Canadian Infrastructure Council lacks clear industry and financial representation. CCA has long urged the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities to appoint an independent representative from the construction industry to the council. Failing to consult with those that build the infrastructure Canadians rely on, and those that finance it, will create significant challenges. Without this input, there will be a lack of understanding on key issues, limitations, and opportunities that exist in building a strong and resilient Canada.
CCA will continue to monitor the development and progress of the Canadian Infrastructure Council, and welcomes further consultation with industry and the federal government.
WCB announces 2025 preliminary average premium rate
The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) announced the 2025 preliminary average employer premium rate will remain unchanged from the 2024 rate at $1.28 per hundred dollars of payroll. The announcement was made at the WCB’s annual preliminary rate information meeting with Saskatchewan employers, workers and stakeholders on Oct. 31, 2024.
“Year over year, the WCB aims to uphold a balance between stable rates and a fully funded compensation system,” said the WCB’s chair, Gord Dobrowolsky. “The two key drivers of the 2025 preliminary average premium rate are claim costs and payroll. While we are forecasting claim costs to increase, we expect these to be offset by rising employer payroll. This is why we are proposing the 2025 preliminary average premium rate remain at $1.28.”
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system based on collective liability, where all employers share responsibility for workplace injury insurance. Employers are grouped together to form an industry rate code. Premium rates are set for each rate code based on the collective claims experience of employers within each industry rate code. All employers within an industry rate code start with the same industry premium rate.
With the 2025 preliminary rate proposal:
The overall 2025 proposed average preliminary premium rate will remain at $1.28 per hundred dollars of payroll.
Industry premium rates for approximately 76 per cent of Saskatchewan’s employers covered by the WCB will see a decrease or no change for 2025.
Industry premium rates for approximately 24 per cent of Saskatchewan’s employers covered by the WCB will increase this year.
The WCB works to uphold a balance between stable rates that ensure fairness, transparency, collective liability and predictability, and a fully funded compensation system.
“While we are proposing the 2025 preliminary average premium rate remain consistent with last year’s rate, we are seeing claims getting more costly, which coupled with inflation, is expected to put long-term upward pressure on premium rates,” said the WCB’s CEO, Phillip Germain. “By working together to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities in our province, we can help to minimize the impact of factors that are pushing premium rates upward.”
In 2024, the WCB completed an optimization of its investment strategy to improve the long-term expected return on its investments. Increased investment income benefits employers by reducing the premiums needed to operate the compensation system.
Additionally, employers can influence their individual premium rate through effective injury prevention and return-to-work programs. The degree to which employers in an industry work to eliminate workplace injuries also affects industry premium rates. Employers who have a fully functioning safety program and a solid return-to-work program can help prevent and manage work-related injuries.
In 2023, for the fourth year in a row, 90 per cent of employers in the province achieved zero injuries and zero fatalities in their workplaces. On an annual basis, serious injuries account for approximately 11 to 14 per cent of total claims and more than 80 per cent of claim costs in the system.
“The WCB will continue to work to prevent work disability through active worker and employer contact, and collaborative return-to-work plans with workers, employers and health-care providers,” said Germain. “Through all of these efforts, we can work together to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities that significantly impact individuals, families and communities.”
Outstanding achievement in the skilled trades honoured at the 2024 Apprenticeship Celebration Dinner
Nearly 350 people attended this year’s event, sponsored by more than 30 organizations. Held at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina, the Apprenticeship Celebration Dinner brought together industry partners and stakeholders, training providers and employers who help build a successful apprenticeship system in Saskatchewan to recognize award winners and celebrate their achievements.
“Skilled tradespeople in Saskatchewan play an important role in building a growing province, and our government is committed to creating more skills training and education opportunities, as guided by the Saskatchewan Labour Market Strategy,” Deputy Premier and Immigration and Career Training Minister Jim Reiter said. “Congratulations to those being recognized tonight for their contributions to Saskatchewan’s apprenticeship and trade certification system.”
Thirty-one journeypersons who achieved the highest mark on their trade’s certification exams between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, received the Outstanding New Journeyperson awards. Eleven additional awards issued by the SATCC included the First Nations and Métis Scholarship, the Scholarship for Journeypersons with Disabilities, the Outstanding Instructor and Employer awards, and the Apprenticeship Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition to the awards from the SATCC, industry partners including training providers, industry associations, employers and unions also issued scholarships and awards recognizing the achievements of apprentices and journeypersons.
“We are proud to honour and recognize the people who demonstrate excellence in the skilled trades,” SATCC Commission Board Chair Bryan Leier said. “On behalf of the SATCC and the Commission Board of Directors, congratulations to all the award winners for your outstanding achievements that contribute to a strong and successful apprenticeship system in Saskatchewan.”
Canada’s construction leaders call on the federal government to address labour shortages, outdated policies and investment gaps
A strong and healthy construction sector is the key to a solid Canadian economy, but outdated procurement strategies, labour shortages and a lack of adequate investment are preventing the industry from realizing its full potential. On Nov. 19, 2024, construction leaders from across the country headed to Parliament Hill to advocate for urgent intervention from the federal government.
Invest in long-term infrastructure, with a focus on housing, transportation and trade-enabling projects.
Grow the construction workforce to address critical labour shortages.
Modernize procurement processes and cut unnecessary red tape.
Construction contributes $162 billion annually to Canada’s GDP and employs over 1.6 million Canadians. Supporting construction means supporting job creation, trade, critical infrastructure, productivity and growth.
“It’s not promises that build the economy – it’s construction. It drives growth, creates jobs and builds and maintains the essential infrastructure we all depend on,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president. “To secure Canada’s future, we need to invest in infrastructure, expand our workforce and modernize procurement. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Canada.”
Canada’s builders are asking for substantial changes in how the federal government approaches infrastructure investment, workforce development and procurement. By cutting red tape, collaborating on a long-term vision for infrastructure and addressing labour challenges, we can deliver the projects Canadians need for a stronger future.
Skilled Trade and Technology Week proclaimed in Saskatchewan
To celebrate the week, Skills Canada Saskatchewan hosted a networking breakfast, followed by a skills fair on Thursday, Nov. 7 at Campus Regina Public. Middle years and high school students were invited to learn about available post-secondary and career opportunities in these fields.
Careers in trades and technology provide many opportunities for Saskatchewan youth. Educators were invited to explore a number of activities with their students to learn more, including connecting with Skills Canada Saskatchewan to host Trade and Tech Days at their school, inviting apprentices, journeypersons and other industry representatives into their classrooms to deliver presentations or administer the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) program.
Developed and overseen by the SATCC, SYA enhances students’ understanding of apprenticeship and careers in the skilled trades through 12 activities, including researching and writing a report on a designated trade, interviewing a journeyperson and attending a career fair. Students who register as apprentices in Saskatchewan within five years of program completion receive 300 trade time hours and the waiver of their apprenticeship registration fee and Level 1 technical training tuition.
Two companies fined in workplace incident causing serious injury to a worker
Strathcona Resources Ltd. was fined for contravening clause 3-12 (a) (ii) of the Act. As a result, the court imposed a fine of $60,714.29 with a surcharge of $24,285.71 for a total amount of $85,000. One other charge was withdrawn.
Steel View Energy & Industrial Services Ltd. was fined for contravening clause 3-1 (a) of the regulations (being an employer failed to comply with the duties of an employer at a place of employment, including the provision and maintenance of a plant, systems of work and working environments that ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of the employer’s workers, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).
The court imposed a fine of $39,285.71 with a surcharge of $15,714.29, for a total amount of $55,000. The charges for both companies stemmed from a single incident that occurred on Dec. 5, 2022, near Major, Sask., when a worker was seriously injured when they were struck by an ejection clamp.
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) announced changes to its board of directors following its 2025 Annual General Meeting on March 10, 2025. Francis Roy will continue to serve as Chair for the forthcoming term. Looking forward to the next year, Roy shared his vision for the association over the next term.
“My commitment to fostering collaboration, engagement and innovation remains top of mind in this next mandate,” he said. “As our industry continues to face notable challenges, now is the time when we need our industry’s leaders to stand up, work together and advocate for our interests.”
Joining Roy on CCA’s 2025-2026 Board of Directors includes:
Trevor Doucette (Vice-Chair), senior director, operations, Synergy Group of Companies (Alta.)
Sara Becker, process manager, Ideal Construction Services Ltd. (Alta.)
Derek Brown, project manager, The Cahill Group of Companies (N.L.)
Nicole Chabot, vice-president, L. Chabot Enterprises Ltd. (Man.)
Steve Drummond, president, Capilano Highway Services Company (B.C.)
Frank Faieta, vice-president, national surety risk management, Trisurance Guarantee (Ont.)
Wayne Ferguson, chief operating officer, EllisDon Corporation (Ont.)
Peter Grose, president, Westland Construction Ltd. (Man.)
Quentin Huillery, executive vice-president of civil, mining and infrastructure, Ledcor (Alta.)
Cathy Kent, bid manager, alternative project delivery, Black & McDonald Limited (Ont.)
Daniel Lessard, chief operating officer, civil and infrastructure, Pomerleau (Que.)
Allan MacIntosh, president, Marco Group Limited (N.S.)
Anthony Minetti, president, CGI Constructors (B.C.)
John Mollenhauer, president and chief executive officer, Toronto Construction Association (Ont.)
Cory Richter, president and chief executive officer, Quorex Construction Services (Sask.)
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is disappointed to see that President Donald Trump has made the short-sighted decision to plunge Canada and the United States into an unnecessary, irresponsible trade war that will see notable consequences on both sides of the border.
“The Canadian and American construction industries rely heavily on free-flowing supplies of essential construction materials. These needless tariffs will decrease productivity, harm economic growth and put critical projects and countless construction jobs at risk – on both sides of the border,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president. “Once again, the new U.S. administration clearly demonstrates that they have a limited understanding of how damaging these measures will be on the integrated economy between our two countries.”
In response to Trump’s tariffs on Canadian products, the Government of Canada has announced tariffs on an initial $30 billion worth of American goods and promised $125 billion more in 21 days. CCA commends the federal government for its continued prioritization of industry consultation and looks forward to continuing to be an active participant in those discussions.
These tariffs present a significant risk for the construction industry. This likely means increased costs for homebuilding and trade-enabling infrastructure, impacts to supply chains and trading relationships, and a weakening of economic development and productivity. While the federal government is right to respond in kind, CCA reiterates its call for all governments to consider economic measures to support Canadian businesses and stimulate the economy, in consultation with industry.
“Once again, this is a time where we need all Canadians to stand up for Canada. This is not the time to sit on our hands – we all have to work together to increase productivity and support Canadian businesses, so that we can all build a stronger Canada and surmount this trade conflict,” said Gilbert.
CCA will continue to monitor the impact of these economic measures on the construction industry and will continue working with all levels of government to build a strong foundation for Canada’s future.
The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed Sept. 23 to 27 as Saskatchewan Construction Week. The week has been proclaimed to celebrate the extensive economic and social contributions made by the province’s dynamic construction industry.
“Saskatchewan’s construction industry is not only a major contributor to jobs in the province, but [it] also plays a crucial role in building the infrastructure necessary for a growing economy,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “As we work toward achieving and surpassing our Growth Plan goals of growing the provincial population to 1.4 million people and creating 100,000 new jobs, the construction industry will further excel this growth by building the offices, facilities, housing and more, which contribute to our strong and vibrant communities.”
The construction industry in Saskatchewan is a key driver of economic growth. Last year, real GDP for the sector grew by 13.6 per cent, with the sector’s real GDP reaching $6 billion. Currently, there are over 43,000 (seasonally adjusted) people employed in the province’s construction industry, making it one of the most important economic sectors in Saskatchewan in terms of job creation.
“During Saskatchewan Construction Week, we celebrate the dedicated professionals who form the backbone of our province’s economy,” Construction Associations of Saskatchewan co-CEO Shannon Friesen said. “These skilled workers, often behind the scenes, build the infrastructure that drives our communities forward.”
“Their contributions are vital, not just in constructing roads, schools and hospitals, but in shaping the very foundation of our future,” Construction Associations of Saskatchewan co-CEO Kevin Dureau said. “This week, we honour their commitment, resilience and the essential role they play in ensuring Saskatchewan remains strong and prosperous.”
The growth the construction industry has experienced recently has had an overall positive impact on Saskatchewan’s economy, with Statistics Canada’s latest GDP numbers indicating that the province’s 2023 real GDP reached an all-time high of $77.9 billion, increasing by $1.2 billion, or 1.6 per cent. This places Saskatchewan second in the nation for real GDP growth, and above the national average of 1.2 per cent.
Private capital investment is projected to reach $14.2 billion in 2024, an increase of 14.4 per cent over 2023. This is the highest anticipated percentage increase in Canada.
The Government of Saskatchewan also recently unveiled its new Securing the Next Decade of Growth – Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy. This strategy, combined with Saskatchewan’s trade and investment website, InvestSK.ca, contains helpful information for potential investors and solidifies the province as the best place to do business in Canada.
Survey tool proves effective in predicting injuries and improving safety performance
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The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) and EHS Analytics are proud to share the success of an innovative Safety Culture Survey tool, designed to predict injuries and enhance Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) performance. With the participation of almost 800 construction companies, making it the largest survey of its kind administered at an industry scale, the tool has proven to be an effective leading indicator for safety performance.
The survey tool uses the Institute for Work & Health Organizational Performance Metric (IWH-OPM), an eight-item questionnaire developed by IWH to assess values and beliefs around safety within workplace culture. The large-scale participation of the Saskatchewan construction industry provided data collected over three years, through six rounds of the survey. EHS analyzed the data to gain insights and further support the industry’s safety efforts.
Key findings include:
A strong correlation between high survey scores and lower future lost time injury rates.
Identification of areas where safety improvements can significantly reduce injury risks.
Enhanced ability for firms to benchmark their safety performance against industry standards and peers. Confirmation of the effectiveness of COR® certification.
Shortcomings in Canadian OHS performance are not highly related to a lack of tools or equipment.
“Our analysis has proven that the Safety Culture Survey is a true leading indicator of safety performance,” said Mohammad Khalkhali, data science team lead at EHS Analytics. “Finding easy-to-measure, effective leading indicators in safety is incredibly challenging, and the Safety Culture Survey provides companies with the ability to foresee and mitigate potential hazards before they result in incidents. Leading indicators are often considered the ‘Holy Grail’ in safety for predicting risk, and this tool achieves that goal.”
Every SCSA member company is invited to participate in the survey and view their results in a custom analytics dashboard. Companies can see how their score compares to peers, find follow-up questions to make proactive adjustments to their safety program and monitor their performance over time.
“Having insights into one’s own company in a way that can predict incidents is a game changer,” said SCSA president Collin Pullar. “We encourage all of our members to utilize this simple, but insightful culture survey to better understand where they are doing well, but also better recognize and address weakness in their culture to prevent potential injuries. This is a powerful Canadian-built tool, and we would love to see as many companies as possible use it and learn from it to prevent accidents within their workforces.”
“At the Institute for Work & Health, our mission is to conduct and mobilize research that supports policy-makers, employers and workers in creating healthy, safe and inclusive work environments,” said Peter Smith, president of IWH. “To that end, it is heartening to see health and safety organizations such as the SCSA use the IWH-OPM to both understand organizational health and safety practices over time, and to better understand the relationships between these practices and safety outcomes in Saskatchewan.”
The survey is delivered twice a year to SCSA members, each fall and spring.
Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba continue collaboration on the joint memorandum of understanding
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Ministers for highways and transportation in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba in Saskatoon to continue work to strengthen economic corridors that support Canada’s supply chains. It has been a year since a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by the three provinces.
The MOU commits the partners to jointly working to improve the shared transportation system, to ensure the strength and competitiveness of the Prairie provinces.
Over the past year, the focus has been on regulatory harmonization, advocacy and regional planning. These priorities will continue with additional work on improving multi-modal transport infrastructure for the efficient movement of exports and imports.
The provinces are working on co-ordinated improvements that benefit the entire region, and they link producers more efficiently to markets across the globe. They are creating a prairie regional economic corridor to guide strategic investments in transportation.
The MOU commits the partners to jointly working to improve the shared transportation system, to ensure the strength and competitiveness of the Prairie provinces.
“By keeping the momentum of the Prairies’ MOU going, we can continue to improve western economic corridors that will enable the efficient movement of Prairie exports and imports to and from markets around the world,” Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen said.
“For Saskatchewan people, improving transportation efficiency with initiatives like these supports our strong and growing export-based economy,” Saskatchewan Highways Minister Lori Carr said. “A strategic approach helps the province invest in key services and helps build and protect our quality of life.”
Saskatchewan has already achieved its Growth Plan pledge to increase exports by 50 per cent. The province continues to expand export infrastructure to increase the mobility of Saskatchewan’s products to international markets over the next decade. Exports support a vibrant business community and ensure an improving quality of life for Saskatchewan people.
Seventy per cent of Saskatchewan’s economy is dependent on exports. In 2023, Saskatchewan exported $49.3 billion in goods. Saskatchewan goods reached 163 countries, with 32 of those countries receiving over $100 million in provincial exports.
Canada’s construction industry unveils critical report on climate resilience
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On Sept. 9, 2024, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) released a report emphasizing the urgent need for increased investment and stronger policies to protect Canadians and their critical infrastructure from the increasing threats of climate change.
The report, titled Climate resilience in construction: Building for a sustainable future, stresses the importance of building resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, protect lives and support community well-being. Recent incidents, like the flooding in Toronto and wildfires in Jasper, show these threats are real and disrupt the everyday lives of Canadians. Calgary’s broken water main signals even deeper problems with Canada’s aging infrastructure.
“Canada’s infrastructure is the backbone of our communities, but it’s under threats from climate-related disasters,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president. “With much of our infrastructure aging or in poor condition, we must act now to future-proof our infrastructure and meet our environmental goals.”
The construction industry is already working to build sustainably, but it cannot do it alone. Significant investment, strategic planning and collaboration are needed to build infrastructure that is both resilient and sustainable.
“The construction industry is making progress in reducing our environmental impact,” Gilbert said. “But to reach our net-zero objectives and protect our infrastructure, we need support from both stakeholders and all levels of government.”
Key points from the report include:
Urgent need for investment: To protect infrastructure assets and address the rising strain from increasing population and housing developments, substantial investment is essential.
Industry progress and challenges: The construction sector is actively working to reduce its environmental impact, but long-term sustainability requires broader support and collaboration. Incentives to pilot new processes and technologies are also needed.
Policy environment: We need effective policies to ensure infrastructure is built to last. This includes addressing issues like labour shortages, procurement, alternative delivery models and supply chain challenges.
“Too often, infrastructure investment decisions are based on what’s politically expedient, not what’s genuinely needed in a given region of Canada,” said Gilbert. “We need to focus on projects that are ‘shovel-worthy,’ not just ‘shovel-ready’ to ensure Canadians have the infrastructure they depend on.”
Highway Hotline introduces new highway condition terminology
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Saskatchewan’s Highway Hotline has updated the terminology it uses to describe winter driving conditions.
The new terminology offers more clear and concise messaging that will help drivers make decisions about winter travel. The updated language is also more consistent with neighbouring provinces, which will make using the Hotline easier for people travelling across Western Canada.
“The construction industry is making progress in reducing our environmental impact. But to reach our net-zero objectives and protect our infrastructure, we need support from both stakeholders and all levels of government.”
– Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president
“The Highway Hotline is used millions of times throughout the year to help travellers plan ahead,” Highways Minister Lori Carr said. “These changes will help drivers make an informed decision while having better consistency with our neighbouring provinces and national standards.”
The new primary conditions include:
Bare: Road appears black, meaning all wheels of a passenger vehicle are on a bare surface.
Partly Covered: Road appears yellow, meaning two wheels of a passenger vehicle are on a snow or ice-covered surface.
Covered: Road appears pink, meaning all wheels of the vehicle are on snow or ice.
Travel Not Recommended: Road appears blue, meaning that visibility is less than 250 metres and could become impassable.
Closed: Road appears red, meaning the highway is impassable.
The colour white was removed because it did not show up well on the digital maps. The maps will continue to indicate poor visibility using a dotted line.
During the winter driving season, road conditions are updated a minimum of four times daily or whenever there are known changes that affect drivers.
The Highway Hotline has existed for more than 50 years. It provides information on highway conditions, road closures, construction zones, ferries and border crossings. As of February 2024, it now allows users to track the progress of plows involved in snow removal and ice treatment. This real-time information helps drivers make informed decisions to protect their safety.
Company Charged, Fined $100,000 for Serious Worker Injury
Adler Firestopping Ltd. was charged for contravening subsection 12-5 (2) (a) of the regulations (being an employer failed to ensure that every scaffold is designed, constructed, erected, used and maintained so as to perform safely any task that the scaffold is required to perform, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).
Three other charges were withdrawn.
As a result of this charge, the court imposed a fine of $71,428.57, with a surcharge of $28,571.43, for a total amount of $100,000.
The charge stemmed from a worksite incident that took place on Nov. 28, 2022, on the Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan. A worker was seriously injured as a result of a fall from a work platform.
Construction sector taking bold steps toward net-zero emissions
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With a growing need to combat climate change, Canada’s construction sector is embracing ambitious goals to lower its carbon emissions. This transformation isn’t merely a trend, but a necessary evolution toward sustainability. As construction stakeholders innovate and adapt, the role of government support is even more significant.
Rodrigue Gilbert
The shift toward sustainability
The Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) Q4 2023 ICIC Construction Sector Quarterly Insights report observed that the industry is making significant gains in sustainability. Despite its history as a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the sector is swiftly embracing measures to curb its environmental impact. There has been a notable decrease in emissions intensity across various infrastructure assets, and investments in clean technologies and materials are rising.
Key players, from developers to contractors, are integrating sustainable strategies into their projects. Green building materials are being employed to not only reduce the emissions associated with construction, but also improve energy efficiency over the project’s entire life cycle. Renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines are also increasingly being integrated into building designs. Moreover, the availability of AI and big data analytics will offer unprecedented opportunities to monitor building performance, providing insights that lead to more effective energy management strategies.
Government support: The catalyst for change
While industry leaders are driving change from within, the Canadian government plays a pivotal role in accelerating the transition to net-zero. Financial incentives are essential tools to encourage sustainable practices across the construction sector. Tax credits for green building certifications, grants for research and development of sustainable technologies and subsidies for energy-efficient retrofits are examples of the type of government interventions needed.
Sustainability is not just a goal; it is a necessity.
Updated building codes and regulatory standards that mandate higher energy efficiency and stricter emissions targets for new construction and renovations are crucial. By setting clear and ambitious benchmarks, the government can ensure that the entire industry moves toward a sustainable future collectively. These standards not only guide current projects, but also inspire innovation in building design and construction methods.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite progress, challenges remain. The upfront costs of sustainable building practices and materials can be higher, posing a barrier to widespread adoption particularly for the small and medium-sized construction company.
The construction industry requires financial support and incentives to offset these initial investments. The timing is also ripe to update outdated procurement strategies. Engaging with contractors earlier and moving away from the lowest bid model will encourage the use of new processes, better practices, alternative energy and more sustainable materials. Moreover, the industry needs a long-term plan for infrastructure investment – one that will provide confidence to CCA members to invest in new technology, convert to low carbon materials and hire and train staff.
CCA released an update to its 2021 Strength, resilience, sustainability white paper in September. This broader report highlights the progress made by industry, explores the linkages between climate risk and infrastructure decisions and discusses the path forward in confronting the climate crisis. It also serves as a springboard for discussions with government on the need for greater investment and supportive policies to not only achieve net zero objectives, but also protect Canadians and the infrastructure they depend on daily from the escalating threats of extreme climate events.
Looking ahead
Sustainability is not just a goal; it is a necessity. Industry leaders are already demonstrating their commitment through innovative practices and technologies. Continued collaboration with the federal government will accelerate this transformation. By aligning policies with ambitious climate targets and providing the necessary financial incentives and regulatory frameworks, the government can empower the industry to achieve net-zero emissions.
Stay in touch!
Count on CCA to be a collaborative partner to the SHCA, providing helpful tools, sharing best practices across the country and being a voice with the federal government.
