Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

SHCA Events Resume

As Saskatchewan has gradually eased its way toward the end of the pandemic through the steady delivery of vaccinations, I have been eagerly waiting for the time to arrive when our members can gather once again.

That time is nearly here. As of July 11, all public health orders in the province have been removed and that lifts the limits on events and gathering sizes. 

We have been seeing concerts announced and Roughrider games scheduled. Families are meeting and celebrating after their long absences from one another. Friends are spending time together catching up and enjoying on another’s company. Seeing people come together reminds us of the value of connection to make each of us better than we are on our own. We are stronger together. 

That’s what makes the return of the SHCA golf tournament so exciting. This year’s tournament is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 19 at the Wascana Country Club in Regina. 

We hope to see many SHCA members, sponsors and supporting companies come together after having to be apart for so long.

Start the day together with lunch at noon before the shotgun start to the tournament at 1 p.m. Following your round of golf, it’s your chance to spend time reconnecting with your network during the banquet.

As a member-driven organization, I know how important it is for all of you in heavy construction to have opportunities to meet and share with one another. That networking is how I learn how to best represent, advocate and serve all of the members that make up our organization so that the issues that matter most get the attention they deserve. Making those connections over a round of golf and a meal makes the day just that much more memorable. 

Watch for an email from our office with the registration form, which will include the cost of participating in this year’s tournament. Fill out the form and submit it as well as your registration fee to Tracey or Ellie to participate. 

Also, watch the SHCA website for the events page to be updated with details about upcoming events, including our convention. We look forward to offering you more opportunities through the rest of 2021 to build your connections. 

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.