PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
SHANTEL LIPP
PRESIDENT, SHCA
Ready for a
Busy 2021!
With the start of a new year often comes a feeling of optimism. We are starting
fresh and putting the difficult year that was 2020 in our rear-view mirror.
Our industry was one of the few that weathered the storm and persevered
through some challenging times. Yes, many of us adapted to changes and altered our routines
to meet new health and safety guidelines to keep working through government-issued
shutdowns and to keep our employees healthy.
Our hope is that a new year brings a semblance of normalcy back to our lives, both at work and at
home. We already can look forward to a busy year ahead. If there was a positive to pull from last year
it was several big-ticket projects are planned for our province over the next few years.
Saskatchewan will likely be the main beneficiary in a $10-billion commitment from the federal
government to support irrigation projects in the prairies. This infrastructure plan will span the
next three years, with approximately $1.5 billion expected to result in 700,000 acres of irrigated
land. It’s expected to create close to 60,000 jobs.
The Lake Diefenbaker irrigation project is a top candidate to receive much of this federal
support. And we should expect to play a major role in the development of this project for
years to come.
Combine this funding from the federal government with a record $437.4 million in tendered
projects announced last summer by the provincial government. That’s a full plate for
our members.
Early in 2020, we heard Premier Scott Moe say, “Over the next two years, our government will
invest $7.5 billion dollars in…highways, municipal infrastructure and other important capital
projects designed to build a strong Saskatchewan.”
Obviously, this is great news for our industry as it assures there’s work to be done for the foreseeable
future.
This funding represents a $2 billion increase over the government’s existing capital plan. The
resulting projects are expected to support 10,000 jobs. More than $300 million of the funds are
intended for highway projects, including surface upgrades and passing lanes, with almost $50
million dedicated to upgrades to municipal roads and airports.
The pandemic that still lingers today wreaked havoc on global economies. The road to economic
recovery here and across the country starts with our industry.
Here’s to a busy season for our members and a prosperous and healthy new year!
The official magazine and voice
of the Saskatchewan Heavy
Construction Association
Vol. 11, No. 1
Published for
1939 Elphinstone St.
Regina, SK S4T 3N3
Phone: 306-586-1805
Fax: 306-585-3750
www.saskheavy.ca
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2019—2020
Published by
President, Jeff Lester
Publisher, Jill Harris
Sales & Art Director,
Myles O’Reilly
EDITORIAL
Editor, Lindsay Risto
ADVERTISING
Senior Account Executive,
Quinn Bogusky, Darryl Sawchuk
Account Executives,
Bilal Rana
DESIGN & LAYOUT
Senior Graphic Designer,
John Lyttle
Advertising Coordinator,
Leticia Abas
Graphic & Online Media
Designer, Mark Aquino
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© Copyright 2021 SHCA.
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of the Saskatchewan Heavy
Construction Association.
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Heavy Construction Association
or Lester Communications Inc.
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman, Kevin Arneson
Allan Construction
1st Vice Chairman, Harley Diederichs
Potzus Paving & Road Maintenance Ltd.
2nd Vice Chairman, Josh Safronetz
H.J.R. Asphalt Ltd.
Past Chairman, Allan Barilla
Morsky Construction Ltd.
President, Shantel Lipp
SHCA
DIRECTORS
Devin Rushton
Inland Aggregates
Jonas Short
BLS Asphalt Inc.
Mary Panteluk
Kelly Panteluk Construction Ltd.
Ryan Kolb
Broda Group LP
Jason Nemanishen
Nemanishen Contracting Ltd.
Jack Brodsky
Brodsky Construction Inc.
Chris O’Grady
AECON Transportation West
Jorden Hanus
ASL Paving Ltd.
Jason Bast
NIS Contractors Ltd.
Marty Willfong
Magnorum Group
SHCA STAFF
Finance Officer, Ellie Weare
Administrative Assistant,
Tracey Koch
SIRIRAK KAEWGORN / 123RF
thinkbigmagazine.ca | Quarter 1 2021 | Think BIG 5
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