MEMBER Q&A
If you’re not involved and you’re not a part of the voice, you’re sitting
back and whatever comes down on you, you become the victim instead of
being someone who’s somewhat in control of your destiny. That’s critical
to me: having the opportunity to be a part of the processes that are going
to move the industry forward in some way. I would sooner be a part of the
process that helps and can make some positive changes than sit back and
let someone else do it.
In what ways do you choose to participate in SHCA?
I currently serve on the board, and I certainly attend events. I’m not serving
specifically on any committees right now, but I have some ideas for committees
that I think we want to develop, and when the time comes for that
I’ll be involved.
Of course, it’s a little tougher right now with the pandemic; we haven’t
been able to meet in person. It’s been a bit of a challenge on the board in
terms of moving new items forward.
Can you think of any specific instance where
you were able to solve a challenge relating to
any aspect of your business directly due to your
participation in SHCA?
During this pandemic, I think SHCA has done a really good job. Working
with the government to ensure that we ended up as an allowable industry
was critical, so we were able to continue operating while a lot of other industries
were shut down. That was a strength for our industry but also for
our overall economy. SHCA did an awful lot of work to help lay out guidelines
on how to keep ourselves and our workers safe. It really made a difference
for all of us to have that guidance and leadership to help us find out
how to deal with this thing as we move forward.
Can you think of anything you may have missed out
on if you were never an active member of SHCA?
On the networking side of things over the years, there are a lot of friendships
and business relationships I’ve made being a part of it all.
This whole idea of networking and getting to know people in the industry,
that was one of the reasons I wanted to get on the SHCA board. Our company
name has been forgotten since we were out of business for 25 years, and I wanted
to get that good reputation back. One of the ways to do that is you get on
the board and you get to know the people in the industry, and they get to know
you. Those trusting relationships are critical to moving forward – you never
know when you’ll need a partner or some advice. There are all kinds of things
going on in this industry and the more good people you know, the easier it is.
If someone in the industry in Saskatchewan wasn’t
participating in SHCA because they didn’t think it
would be beneficial, what would you say to them?
As an industry, there are things going on that we need to have input on.
We have years of different ministers in the government and we’ve worked
on those relationships; when something isn’t working well for us, we’ve
got people can we talk to and start a process that will make those changes.
Of course, people who aren’t members reap the benefits of what the rest
of us are doing. When they change rules and regulations and laws and processes,
that isn’t just for people who are members of SHCA, that’s for the
industry at large. But you have a chance to have some input with SHCA.
And I would say for people who aren’t a part of SHCA, they’re missing
out on the networking and getting to know people in the industry, which
is a positive thing.
I’ll go back to my years on the board at the Greater Saskatoon Chamber
of Commerce. Potential members would ask me what they would get out
of being a member of the Chamber, and my standard response was, “More
than you put in. And the more you put in, the more you get back.”
How do you think SHCA can best benefit its
members moving forward?
Shantel does a great job; the Equipment Rental Rates Guide and other
publications from SHCA are good reasons to be members. A lot of good
work gets done. But there’s more we need to do.
My sons started this generation of Brodsky Construction – you know
when you’re starting up, you don’t think you can afford the membership
dues. If I wasn’t a part of the company, there’s no way they would be able
to participate on the board. I was out of the business for 25 years, and the
regulations that we have to live with now compared to 25 years ago is phenomenal.
Timewise, my sons just can’t afford to hire enough people so that
they could spend the time that I spend being a part of the board. While
they are in favour of being part of SHCA – I’ve got them convinced of that
– there’s no way they could put the time in.
The idea of being better at safety and considering the environment is
positive, there’s no question. But I think we’re living in a world where
regulations rule, and a lot of these regulations are not about the environment
or safety but rather about appearing to be concerned. I have this
perspective now because I was out for 25 years and getting back into the
industry, I see the regulatory burden today and it’s just bizarre compared
to what it used to be. That’s one of the things that I think SHCA can work
on – not to lighten up our commitment to the environment or safety but
SHCA can build some relationships,
strengthen some relationships and
smooth some relationships.
10 | Quarter 3 2020 | saskheavy.ca
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