A construction worker observes the long, empty road ahead while dressed in safety gear on a cloudy afternoon.
by Martin Charlton Communications Martin Charlton Communications

From Planning to Pavement

A construction worker observes the long, empty road ahead while dressed in safety gear on a cloudy afternoon.
yourapechkin/123rf

SHCA recently had the opportunity to discuss industry topics and issues with Saskatchewan Minister of Highways, the Honourable David Marit, who is also the Minister responsible for SaskBuilds and Procurement.

In March, the provincial government announced its budget for 2025-26, which included a spend on highways set at $777 million and $421 million for capital projects. At the time it was also noted that Marit would be conducting Saskatchewan Construction Roundtable discussions to move the conversation forward on the importance of infrastructure investment in Saskatchewan.

Think BIG: What are you hoping to get out of the Saskatchewan Construction Roundtable discussions with construction industry members?

David Marit: The Construction Roundtable aims to build stronger, more transparent lines of communication between industry and the Government of Saskatchewan. Our goal is to work collaboratively with the construction sector to identify solutions to shared challenges, and to promote growth, safety and sustainability within the sector.

The roundtable serves as an information-sharing platform for government representatives and industry leaders to foster open dialogue, address areas of concern, facilitate collaboration and communication, develop strategic initiatives and celebrate the successes of both industry and government.

“Our goal is to work collaboratively with the construction sector to identify solutions to shared challenges, and to promote growth, safety and sustainability within the sector.”

– David Marit, Saskatchewan Ministry of Highway

We continue to look to industry for solutions to some of our major challenges, including delivering a significant capital plan as our province grows, and finding ways to ensure projects are completed as efficiently as possible. As we navigate uncertainties in the current trade environment, we rely on our industry partners to collaborate on solutions that support Saskatchewan and keep our projects moving forward.

Think BIG: Governments across Canada are looking at removing interprovincial trade barriers to allow for goods and services to flow more freely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Are there areas that the Ministry of Highways and SaskBuilds have been working on to help the industry with trade barriers?

DM: The Government of Saskatchewan will monitor any cost increases that result from tariffs. If necessary, ministries may bring forward cost changes through existing decision-making channels. Over the past five years, Saskatchewan has awarded, on average, more than 99 per cent of procurements to Canadian companies, with less than one per cent awarded to U.S. companies.

We recognize the situation with the U.S. requires all Canadian provinces to look at ways to expand exports outside North America and reduce trade barriers within Canada. The situation south of the border underlined the need for this work, but it’s something we’ve been doing since well before the new U.S. administration took over.

The governments of Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 11, 2023, to advance economic corridors between the three provinces, helping to expand market access for prairie products and create jobs. The MOU is focused on improving transportation infrastructure and services that provide vital links for the efficient movement of prairie exports and imports.

Through this MOU, the provinces will identify priority actions and collaborate on key issues, including:

  • Identifying specific corridors that the three provinces can mutually work to advance
  • Improving the efficiency of interprovincial transportation network and harmonizing regulatory frameworks
  • Leveraging opportunities for joint advocacy to the federal government on regulatory and funding issues
  • Assessing private-sector investment and/or Indigenous partnership opportunities in improving existing or developing new economic corridors

For Saskatchewan people, improving transportation links with initiatives like these supports our export-based economy, which helps the province invest in key services and helps build and protect our quality of life.

Think BIG: Will the province meet the goals set out in the Growth Plan by 2030? Do you anticipate the province exceeding these goals?

DM: The Ministry of Highways’ year-over-year progress toward that goal has been steady. Highways 2025-26 budget improves more than 1,000 kilometres of provincial highways, the sixth year of our 10-year Growth Plan goal. Planned delivery over the first six years is more than 7,000 kilometres, which is ahead of pace to meet our target.

As for SaskBuilds and Procurement, the 2025-26 Saskatchewan Capital Plan brings Government of Saskatchewan’s infrastructure investment to $21.4 billion since 2020-21, which is 71.3 per cent of the $30-billion Growth Plan goal. The Government of Saskatchewan is firmly on track to exceed this goal.

Crack between America and Canada flags. political relationship concept
by Rodrigue Gilbert Rodrigue Gilbert

Standing Strong Against Tariffs

Crack between America and Canada flags. political relationship concept
nkdrop/123rf

In construction, where everything depends on long-term planning and tight cost forecasts, even a small disruption in the supply chain can throw things off in a big way. Lately, the rise in protectionist talk and new trade barriers, such as the 25 per cent tariff the U.S. placed on Canadian steel and aluminum, are causing significant turbulence across the industry.

The U.S. remains Canada’s largest trading partner, and our construction industry is deeply integrated with cross-border supply chains. Tariffs disrupt those chains, driving up costs, creating uncertainty, and delaying essential public and private sector projects.

For Saskatchewan’s heavy construction contractors, many of whom rely on imported steel and key materials for large-scale public and private projects, the potential impacts are stark:

  • Skyrocketing material costs that could make projects financially unviable.
  • Delays in project delivery due to supply chain disruptions.
  • Increased uncertainty that discourages investment and long-term planning.

These impacts extend far beyond the construction yard. When projects are delayed or cancelled, Saskatchewan’s communities are left waiting for the services, jobs and growth those investments were meant to deliver.

CCA has been actively working with federal and provincial leaders to ensure the construction industry’s voice is heard in trade and economic policy discussions.

What CCA is doing to fight for the industry

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA), representing over 18,000 member firms, is proud of our mission to inspire a progressive, innovative and sustainable construction industry. With partners like SHCA, we’re committed to shaping a stronger, more resilient Canada through the power of construction.

CCA has been actively working with federal and provincial leaders to ensure the construction industry’s voice is heard in trade and economic policy discussions. As part of our strategy, we have:

  • Participated in government consultations to highlight the specific risks tariffs pose to Canadian construction.
  • Engaged with policymakers to promote tariff exemptions or mitigation measures for essential materials.
    Published economic analyses showing how tariffs lead to higher costs and stalled progress on infrastructure.
  • Construction for Canadians: A call to action

We’re not just reacting, we’re pushing for proactive policies that protect our industry and the broader Canadian economy.

The 2025 federal election presented a pivotal opportunity for us to rally support for the construction sector. Through our Construction for Canadians campaign, CCA worked to ensure that construction remained a key issue in the national conversation, championing policies that promote growth, sustainability and resilience in our industry.

While the election may be behind us, the work continues. Our campaign wasn’t just about influencing platforms, it was about building long-term awareness and support for construction as a pillar of Canada’s economic future. Now, as the newly elected government begins its mandate, CCA remains focused on turning these conversations into real, lasting progress.

Turning advocacy into action

Now more than ever, Canada needs investment in resilient infrastructure that will support growth and meet the demands of a changing world. We must grow the construction workforce, modernize procurement processes and cut the red tape that hampers project delivery.

Canada has slipped from 10th to 26th in global trade infrastructure rankings. This is troubling for a country whose economy depends on the import and export of goods. Our ports, railways and highways, the arteries of our supply chains, are stretched thin and ill-equipped to handle growing demand and the mounting need to diversity our markets. Saskatchewan’s key export sectors are particularly vulnerable to bottlenecks at ports, rail terminals and highways.

CCA has been working in partnership with other stakeholders to secure a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan that prioritizes strategic, long-term investments. A cornerstone of this plan is the creation of the Canadian Infrastructure Council, a significant milestone in pushing forward the National Infrastructure Assessment, which is a priority for CCA. This council will play a key role in prioritizing strategic infrastructure projects critical to Canada’s future.

With strong partnerships, a united voice and a clear vision, we can build a more resilient supply chain, a stronger workforce and the modern infrastructure Canadians need. CCA is committed to advocating for the tools, policies and investments that will allow our industry to thrive, not just for today, but for generations to come.

Shantel Lipp
by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

Budget 2025-26

Shantel Lipp - Portrait

Spring is finally here, according to the calendar. Meanwhile, most of us are waiting for the weather to catch up. Spring is the season that brings us renewal. When the snow finally melts, we see what has been hidden from us for the past four to five months and start to plan our outdoor work for the summer. 

For our industry, it is no different. We look for signs of renewed growth every spring when our provincial government releases its budget. On March 19, the Saskatchewan government delivered the 2025-26 budget. From our perspective, there were some encouraging signs. The 2025-26 highways budget was set at $777 million, with $421 million dedicated to capital projects.  

While this budget is going in the right direction by increasing slightly over last year’s budget, we still have a ways to go to get where we need to be. Our industry will continue to advocate for long-term planning for budget commitments that provides stability and growth for our members’ businesses. 

The current political climate surrounding the trade issue, while challenging for our industry, is also an opportunity for us to rethink how we build our industry to meet the challenge posed to our province. Due to the tariff issues created by the United States and China that are impacting our economy, Saskatchewan is busy exploring other trade partners. The status quo on getting our goods to market is no longer a viable option and we must be creative with how we get our products to our new trade partners. 

While we need to maintain our existing infrastructure, we should also look at resurrecting dormant routes along with the possibility of planning and building new ones. Diversifying our trade portfolio must include the best logistics to successfully deliver our products to our new trading partners. Our infrastructure is the backbone of our provincial trade. 

The SHCA is also encouraged by the announcement from the provincial government to hold construction roundtable discussions with partner groups. This will be an opportunity for our industry to advocate with other industries on the importance of government committing to issues such as long-term planning, removing interprovincial barriers and building a resilient workforce. 

Every year, we look forward to the renewal and growth that spring brings us. This year will be no exception for the heavy construction industry. Even though the province faces uncertainty with the looming tariffs, our industry remains optimistic facing the challenges ahead.

Waving Canadian flag against the blue sky.
by SHCA SHCA

Premier Moe Travels to Washington and Mexico to Support Canada U.S. Trade

Waving Canadian flag against the blue sky.

Premier Scott Moe is travelling to Washington D.C. this week for meetings with U.S. elected representatives, industry organizations and to participate in the premier’s Council of the Federation (COF) joint-mission to Washington. 

Prior to the COF mission, Premier Moe will meet with U.S. elected representatives and businesses to emphasize the strong trade relationship between Canada and the U.S, and the role Saskatchewan plays in supplying the continent with energy and food security. 

“It’s important in the current economic environment that we engage with our counterparts in the United States to emphasize the shared benefit of trade between our two countries and turn the conversation toward building on those strengths rather than jeopardizing them with tariffs,” said Moe. 

The U.S. is Saskatchewan’s largest and most important trading partner. About $40 billion worth of imports and exports cross the border every year. The current tariff-free border allows businesses to add value to products and economies, whether flowing from north to south or vice versa. Premier Moe’s meetings will focus on maintaining strong Canada-U.S. relations by addressing shared issues such as the economy, energy, supply chains and the impacts of the Trump Administration’s proposed tariffs. Premier Moe will also express Saskatchewan’s support for strong measures to secure the Canada-U.S. border. 

“Strengthening border security and preventing the flow of illicit drugs like Fentanyl is a concern that has been identified by the U.S. and one that I share,” Moe added. “We are already taking action as a province through our Border Security Plan to ensure we have more officers and law enforcement presence at the Saskatchewan-U.S. border.”

The COF’s joint-mission to Washington will allow all 13 premiers to present a united voice on the important benefits that free-trade brings to Canada and the U.S. and the concern over the negative impact of tariffs to consumers and businesses on both sides of the border. The COF program will take place on Feb. 12 and will include meetings with U.S. elected representatives, business leaders and the Canada American Business Council. 

Following the COF mission, Premier Moe will travel to Mexico to engage with business and elected officials to advance relationships with this key trading partner. Over the course of the next few weeks, Premier Moe and multiple cabinet ministers will be travelling within Canada and beyond to advocate for Saskatchewan’s interests. These engagement efforts will focus on promoting the province as a global supplier of food and energy security, while strengthening Saskatchewan’s relationships with key international trading partners. 

Hands put together to show unity and cooperation
by SHCA SHCA

Canada’s Construction Industry Stands Strong Against U.S. Tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods exported to the U.S. (including aluminum and steel), along with a 10 per cent tariff on energy products, next month.   In kind, the Government of Canada has responded with targeted tariffs, with some products having a direct impact on construction.  

“Canada’s construction industry is disappointed to see the imposition of tariffs,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). “We appreciate that the federal government has issued a strong response to President Trump’s senseless tariffs and will hold consultations with industry on further measures.”   

The impacts of this trade conflict will be felt throughout the Canadian economy. These measures are likely to impact not only the ability of construction operators to meet their project requirements, but also the supply chains that the Canadian industries rely on all together. This limits the industry’s ability to combat the housing crisis, slows down its ability to build critical infrastructure, and so much more.   

“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. 

As all levels of government consider non-tariff measures to support Canadian businesses and stimulate our economy, the CCA urges all governments to consult with industry so that any and all measures can be targeted, effective and reflect the real needs of the industry.   

CCA will continue to monitor the impact of these economic measures on the construction industry and will work with all levels of government to build a strong foundation for Canada’s future.