RIRG will continue to assist RMs with the
cost of construction and upgrading municipal
roads, bridges and culverts to support growth.
With the additional dollars, government is contributing
more than $39 million to the program
in 2020–21.
“Rural municipalities play a signi!cant role in
our plan to build a Strong Saskatchewan,” said
Moe. “"is funding will ensure projects will be
ready for this construction season to help build
rural infrastructure while protecting and growing
jobs across our province.”
RIRG is an important component of the
province’s plan to rebuild 100 roads over the
next three years and 100 bridges over the next
four years. "rough the !rst two phases of
funding, 89 road projects and 45 bridge projects
have been provincially approved, receiving
nearly $38 million in support. Several of the
bridge projects are still going through the federal
approval process.
“Our rural municipalities greatly value this
continued !nancial support through this time
of economic recovery,” said Ray Orb, president
of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural
Municipalities. “Well maintained rural infrastructure
is critical to the sustainability and
growth of Saskatchewan’s economy and the rural
based industries using it daily.”
"e Government of Saskatchewan is meeting
its target of improving more than 1,000 km
of provincial highways this year, the !rst of its
10-year Growth Plan goal to build and upgrade
10,000 km of highways. Another $300 million
in highways stimulus funds is being invested
over two years in thin-membrane surface upgrades,
passing lanes and improvements to municipal
roads and airports.
"e Government of Saskatchewan has invested
more than $9.8 billion in highways infrastructure
since 2008, improving more than
15,800 km of Saskatchewan highways.
Canadian Construction
Association welcomes its
new Board of Directors for
2021–22 with Ray Bassett
at the helm as chair
"e Canadian Construction Association (CCA)
is pleased to announce that Ray Basse# is the
chair of the 2021–22 Board of Directors. CCA
sincerely thanks outgoing chair, Joe Wrobel, for
his dedicated leadership.
Basse# is the vice president and chief underwriting
o$cer at Travelers Insurance Company
NEWS FROM THE FIELD
The Rural Integrated Roads for Growth
program is an important component
of the province’s plan to rebuild 100
roads over the next three years and
100 bridges over the next four years.
of Canada, where he manages client relationships
with national and larger regional construction
companies, leads strategic initiatives
in product development and technology and
guides the business strategy of the Construction
Services Group for Travelers in North America.
A 37-year veteran of the construction surety
industry, Basse# has led both claims and underwriting
practices for leading national surety
companies in Canada and is focused on improving
collaboration and value among stakeholders
in the construction industry, including public
and private project owners, the construction
and project !nance lending community, !nancial
ratings agencies, consultants, the construction
law bar and the surety industry.
Basse# joined the CCA Board of Directors in
2010, has chaired the Manufacturers, Suppliers
& Services Council, as well as an executive commi
#ee focused on federal prompt payment,
which was instrumental in having industry
concerns and recommendations addressed in
the Federal Prompt Payment for Construction
Work Act.
In his address to members at the annual general
meeting, Basse# articulated one of CCA’s
advocacy focuses for the association over the
next year.
“(We need) a long-term federal infrastructure
plan, that is evidence-based and is be#er
aligned with the needs and priorities of provincial
and municipal governments, and has
a clear and unclu#ered funding mechanism
– this will bring more public and private projects
to the market in a more predictable %ow,”
he said. “"is is good for our industry and good
for Canada.”
Joining Basse# on CCA’s 2021–22 Board of
Directors are:
• Jean François Arbour, President, Groupe SCV
• Andrew Arnill, Operations Manager, West-
Can Seal Coating Asphalt Products
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