2025
• ICF Ceremonial Garden brings community to Regina
• Meet CODC Trade Ambassador Akanksha Gautam
• Saskatchewan Polytechnic helps women explore careers in the trades
• SMRs gaining steam in Saskatchewan
Know your rights at work
More than 25,000 workers in Saskatchewan were injured on the job last year.
Every worker has the right to go home at the end of the day. Know your rights at work to help protect yourself and others from workplace injuries.
The right to participate in keeping the workplace healthy and safe. The right to know what hazards are present in the workplace.
The right to refuse unusally dangerous work.
It’s important to know your rights and how to use them. Learn more at worksafesask.ca
Your three rights are protected under The Saskatchewan Employment Act.
MESSAGE FROM TRADES PRESIDENT MIKE McLEAN
The strength of cooperation and community
Welcome to this edition of our magazine, where we reflect on the enduring strength of cooperation and community within the unionized building trades.
In every corner of Saskatchewan, the structures we build, including bridges, hospitals, schools, and power stations, stand as symbols of what we can achieve when we work together. But beyond concrete and steel, it’s the people behind the tools and the spirit of solidarity that connects us that truly define our success.
Cooperation is more than a strategy, it’s a value. Across trades, locals, and generations, we rely on one another to get the job done and to raise each other up. That means mentoring the next generation, standing shoulder to shoulder through challenges, and fighting for a future where all workers are respected and protected.
Community is what turns a job into a purpose. Whether it’s showing up for a union brother or sister, volunteering in our neighbourhoods, or advocating for better conditions across the industry, the building trades have always led with heart and principle. We are proud of that legacy, and we continue to build on it every day.
Thank you for being part of this work on site, in your locals, and in the broader movement to build a stronger, fairer Saskatchewan.
In solidarity, Mike McLean, President Saskatchewan Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council
Built before 1990? Test for asbestos.
MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JEFF SWEET
Building together: A strong community, a bright future
The themes of this issue of Building Saskatchewan, community and planning for the future, speak to the very foundation of who we are as unionized tradespeople.
Every affiliate’s Constitution calls on us to organize all workers within our trades into our unions. Organizing is more than just a responsibility; it is how we build and sustain our community. Our unions are not separate from the cities, towns, and industries we help construct. They are the families we build within, while we construct and shape the world around us.
Our strength comes from each other. Across job sites, in our training halls, and throughout our neighborhoods, union members support one another, not just in work, but in life. This solidarity is what sets us apart. It ensures that we uphold the highest standards of skill, safety, and fairness in an industry that would pursue profit before all else.
New technologies, shifting regulations, and workforce challenges will continue to reshape our work. But as we have always done, we will adapt, organize, and lead. Through collective action, we will fight for fair wages, quality training, and the respect our jobs deserve – reminding anyone who forgets that our work is at the forefront of Saskatchewan’s economy.
The future is ours to build. By being engaged, growing our ranks, and strengthening our unions, individually and as a group, we will secure a better future for ourselves and the generations that follow.
Thank you, brothers, sisters, and comrades, for your hard work, your dedication, and your commitment to excellence. Together, we are not just constructing buildings, we are shaping the future.
An update from Canada’s Building Trades Unions
By Sean Strickland, Executive Director, Canada’s Building Trades Unions
Last year, Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) achieved significant wins for our members, including the Sustainable Jobs Act, anti-scab legislation, and Investment Tax Credits, the latter of which will support new wind, solar, and small modular reactor projects in Saskatchewan. CBTU also celebrated federal investments in clean energy initiatives that will create high-paying, skilled jobs for Building Trades members in the energy sector. With 2025 well underway, and in the face of tariffs from the United States, we are focused on securing even more wins for our members. Our key priorities this year are defending our members from the devastating effects
of tariffs, advocating for increased brick-and-mortar funding for the Union Training and Innovation Program, and pushing for flush toilet legislation for skilled tradespeople on job sites across the country.
We anticipate the impact from U.S. tariffs will result in job losses for our members, and CBTU is focusing on members working in sectors who are particularly vulnerable to an economic downturn. Across the country, the national construction sector accounts for more than seven per cent of Canada’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Steep tariffs on construction materials like steel and aluminum could significantly disrupt
Saskatchewan’s construction sector, which accounts for about seven per cent of the province’s employment and GDP.
Canada and the U.S. share a trade partnership valued at $1.6 trillion annually, and with the implementation of tariffs, 75 000 to 100 000 construction jobs in Canada could be at risk. To protect our members in Saskatchewan and across the country, CBTU is calling on the federal government to enhance employment insurance, address interprovincial labour mobility, and build new infrastructure so Canadian goods can reach global markets.
The Jansen potash mine, on track to begin production next year, is a perfect example of the resources Canada has to offer. The mine is set to become one of the largest potash mines in the world, producing approximately 8.5 million tons annually, while simultaneously creating high-paying jobs for Saskatchewan workers. Together with the newly established Canada-U.S. Trade Council, CBTU is working to ensure workers in Saskatchewan and across the country have protections during what we anticipate will be a tumultuous time for our economy.
Setting our members up for success is more important than ever, and that
success starts in th e classroom. Modern technology is transforming the workflows in the skilled trades, and to ensure apprentices are equipped for success, we must update training facilities for them. Many smaller training centres require repairs and expansion, underscoring the importance of securing brickand-mortar funding. Smaller training centres are also faced with financial barriers to accessing funding for equipment. To address this, the Union
CBTU will share further details on our flush toilet campaign at our upcoming conference, Our Skills, Our Voice. The year ahead presents a significant opportunity to amplify the Building Trades’ voice and drive meaningful change, and I look forward to continuing to work with
the Saskatchewan Building Trades to make sure your voice is heard on these critical issues.
Sean Strickland is the Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, which represents 600,000 unionized skilled tradespeople across Canada
Health & Community Studies
Trades & Industrial Adult Basic Education
every province.
Saskatchewan’s residential sector leads construction growth to 2034, as demographic trends create labour force challenges
By Klayton Gonçalves, Senior Economist and Head of Business Intelligence, BuildForce Canada
Saskatchewan’s construction industry has enjoyed notable growth in recent years, as strong increases in nonresidential activity since 2022 have more than offset a relatively muted period for residential construction.
Activity in the latter has experienced competing influences over this period. Although population growth in the province surged with the arrival of newcomers, both from abroad and from elsewhere in the country, growth in the sector was constrained by elevated interest rates and consumer concerns over affordability.
Meanwhile, activity in the nonresidential sector was driven by increases in both the engineering construction component and in the construction of industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) buildings.
Released in April, BuildForce Canada’s Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward outlook report for the province for the period of 2025 to 2034 calls for overall growth to continue, but with a reversal in the trends seen in the early part of the decade.
Residential activity sees strong growth across the decade
Saskatchewan’s residential sector is
poised to return to growth in 2025 and record a series of increases to the end of the decade. Driving this activity is strong growth in housing starts, and single-detached units in particular. This trend develops as interest rates stabilize and buyers jump back into the market, particularly younger couples in their prime family-forming years in need of detached homes in which to raise their families.
By the end of the decade, investment in new housing in the province is projected to rise by as much as 57 per cent, while growth in investment in residential renovations rises by a comparatively modest 22 per cent –because the province’s housing stock is still relatively new.
These trends are expected to combine to increase employment in the residential construction sector by 20 per cent above 2024 levels by 2034, with most of the growth anticipated during the first five years of the outlook period. Growth is greatest in new housing construction at 34 per cent, with renovation and maintenance employment each adding approximately 11 per cent.
Non-residential outlook more muted
The outlook for the province’s nonresidential sector is more stable and closely linked to the schedules of key major projects.
Non-residential investment levels reached a forecast high in 2024, with many projects underway across the engineering construction sector (in the form of several utilities projects and work on the BHP Jansen S1 Potash Mine Development) and in the construction of ICI buildings (in the form of a large volume of projects in the healthcare, education, public administration, and manufacturing sectors).
The outlook calls for investment levels in each to gradually trend down into 2032 as work passes peak activity levels, and ultimately concludes, on these projects. Despite this, investment levels remain well above historic norms into 2034, as new projects, such as the second phase of the BHP Jansen Potash Mine Development, and several major investments across the manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors, replace those concluding in the earlier part of the decade.
By 2034, employment in Saskatchewan’s non-residential sector is expected to contract slightly (-4 per cent) compared to 2024 levels, with losses exclusive to the engineering component (-10 per cent). Growth is moderate in ICI buildings construction and in non-residential maintenance activity, with each growing by just under four per cent.
Adopting new solutions to address a looming labour force challenge
At 1,700 workers, growth in worker demand across Saskatchewan’s construction industry should be manageable. Its challenge will lie in filling the gap of skills and experience left behind by retiring workers.
BuildForce Canada projects that some 9,000 workers aged 55 years and above, or 23 per cent of the current labour force, will exit the industry due to retirements by 2034. Coupled with demands created by growth, the industry’s total hiring requirement could rise to 10,700 workers by 2034.
Given the province’s comparatively younger demographics, most of this gap could be closed by the recruitment of an estimated 9,300 first-time new entrants under the age of 30 from the local population. This would leave a gap of about 1,400 workers that will need to be addressed by maintaining local recruitment and training efforts, drawing new workers from groups traditionally under-represented in the construction labour force, hiring workers from other industries with the required skills sets, and recruiting immigrants to Canada with skilled trades training or construction experience.
In some cases, the news is quite positive. For example, new
registrations in Saskatchewan’s 17 largest construction apprentice programs have seen a significant recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic. New registrations rose by nearly 30 per cent in 2023, marking the highest number of new registrants since 2014.
Meanwhile, the industry continues to make efforts to enhance its recruitment of individuals from such traditionally under-represented groups as women, Indigenous People, and newcomers to Canada.
In 2024, women accounted for approximately five per cent of the total on-site labour force in the province – a fact that allows considerable room for improvement.
More positively, Indigenous People account for a greater share of the construction labour force (12.4 per cent) than in the province’s overall labour force (11.3 per cent), and more than double the percentage employed in the construction labour force nationally.
Meanwhile, although the share of immigrants in Saskatchewan’s labour force has risen significantly over the past decade – increasing from 10.6 per cent in 2014 to 17.0 per cent in 2023 –most are not turning to construction for work. The share of immigrants in the construction labour force (11.3 per cent) remains notably lower than the share in the overall provincial labour force and significantly lower than the share in Canada’s construction industry at 19.9 per cent.
Conclusion: Growth ahead, but labour force challenges remain
The long-term construction outlook for Saskatchewan calls for moderate growth overall, led by good growth in the residential sector, and more muted activity in the non-residential sector.
The challenge for the industry over this period will be contending with a large number of retirements, and finding adequate supplies of workers, both from conventional pathways and among under-represented groups, to close a potential labour force gap.
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Celebrating 30 years of union and management collaboration in Saskatchewan’s construction and maintenance industry
By Warren Douglas, CODC Co-Chair (CLR) and Administrator
Last year, 2024, marked the 30th anniversary of the founding of the CODC Construction Opportunities Development Council Inc. (CODC), a Made-in-Saskatchewan collaboration between Saskatchewan’s Building Trades Unions, contractors, and their respective members and employees.
Following the implementation of the Construction Industry Labour Relations Act, 1992 and the return of a province-wide construction industry collective bargaining system, as well as a period of turbulent labour relations in the province during the 1980s, both the Unions and Contractors recognized the need to establish a forum for the unionized industry to work together productively and jointly solve some major issues facing our stakeholders. They needed a place to work away from the traditionally adversarial collective bargaining table. The CODC was founded as a Saskatchewan registered not-for-profit organization on March 14th, 1994 by the Saskatchewan Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council (SPB&CTC) and the CLR Construction Labour Relations Association of Saskatchewan Inc. (CLR).
Each Building Trades union in the province, as well as each matching employer trade division within the CLR, as well as the Boilermaker Contractors’ Association and the Canadian Automatic Sprinklers Association, are members of the CODC. The Board of Directors is comprised of the SPB&CTC Co-Chair and three Union directors along with the CLR CoChair and three Employer directors. The CODC is funded by employer contributions on a cents-per-hour basis and is administered through the CLR’s offices.
Over the years, the CODC has engaged in a number of co-operative initiatives including industry conferences, market research, facilitating Big Table Collective Bargaining (multiunion and multi-employer tables), facilitating industry issue resolution, hosting owner/client forums to provide a platform for open dialogue with construction industry stakeholders, joint policy development, and trade and apprenticeship promotion and recruitment.
A significant component of the CODC’s business is related to training and development of our workforce. The
CODC was an early adopter of online training during the mid-2000s for the Rights & Responsibilities course, after it was developed originally as a computer-based CD-ROM training program in the late 1990s. The CODC also adapted the predecessor to the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association’s (SCSA) SCOT (Safety Construction Orientation Training) program, CSTS, from a CD-ROM-based to online course around the same time. Over the years, we expanded and evolved our online training platforms to deliver online purchases and evolved to allow for delivery of the courses through tablet and smartphone devices. In 2023, we launched an entire new online training management system using current and futureadaptive technology.
Aside from the technological component, the CODC has partnered with other industry organizations such as the SCSA, BuildForce Canada and Saskatchewan Polytechnic to deliver a variety of other training and development courses either in-person (Better SuperVision) and various online courses. The CODC offers the full suite of BuildForce Canada online courses at a discount for our CODC
contractors and unions. We also offer Supervisory Training for Union Stewards and Employer Leaders on the CODC’s Alcohol and Drug Policy as well as Indigenous Awareness Training. If you, your employer, or your union are interested in accessing any of these training opportunities, please give our offices a call.
Another component of the CODC’s offerings, which may overshadow some of the other collaborations that the SPB&CTC and Unionized contractors do through the CODC, is our Alcohol and Drug Policy. The CODC recognizes and acknowledges that this policy has some challenges for our workforce. The reason the CODC developed our policy back in 2007 was based on the grounds that our stakeholders were aware that clients and owners in other jurisdictions were implementing similar policies, and we expected those policies to come into effect here. The CODC chose to get ahead of the situation and offer up a solution to our clients that was jointly developed and accepted by unions and contractors before the clients implemented differing policies of their own. The Board of Directors of the CODC are well aware of the controversial nature of this policy and it is a regular discussion item for the Board. The CODC keeps abreast of current trends and issues as they relate to Alcohol and Drug policies and will continue to develop and evolve the policy over the coming years.
One of the positive outcomes of the implementation of the A&D policy was that we also implemented the industry-wide Pro Care Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) at the same time. This is a free confidential counselling and support service available for our workforce
and their families. There are some eligibility conditions to access these services, but most workers who have actively worked under a Saskatchewan collective agreement within the five (5) months prior to calling our third-party provider, should have no issues getting the support they seek. In 2023, 129 clients accessed our Pro-Care services, 76 per cent being employees, 16 per cent being spouses and nine per cent being dependent children. People received support for: relationship issues, depression/ anxiety, stress, addictions, parenting, grief, trauma recovery, anger, work stress, suicide, growth/enrichment, domestic violence, illness/disability, and legal referral services. Based on client satisfaction surveys conducted by our service provider, 100 per cent of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that they would both recommend EAP services to others and would use the program again. If you or your family members think that they would benefit from some outside help, please call the Pro Care EFAP program at 1-866-757-6620. While our
vendor is based in Regina, they have a network of Canada-wide partner offices which can offer EFAP services wherever you or your family reside, as well as offering online virtual services.
Lastly, in 2023 the CODC launched a new Trade Ambassador program that will be discussed in greater detail in another article of this magazine. Simply put, between upcoming retirements and the need for new workers based on upcoming demand in the Saskatchewan Construction and Maintenance industries, we need more workers to join the unionized construction industry. If you know of anyone interested in or curious about joining the CODC family, please ask them to connect with Ms. Akanksha Gautam in our office 306-347-7299.
On behalf of the CODC’s Board of Directors, I would like to thank the SPB&CTC for their continued support and involvement in the CODC, as well as for providing us the opportunity to reach out to their membership through this magazine.
Meet CODC Trade Ambassador Akanksha Gautam
In this
key role, Gautam promotes
the unionized
construction
and maintenance industry in Saskatchewan and focuses on improving diversity and much more.
By Lisa Kopochinski
As Trade Ambassador for the Construction Opportunities Development Council Inc. in Regina, Akanksha Gautam’s journey to this position started with her experience in human resources.
Born in India, Guatam earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Human Resources and Marketing from Maharishi Dayanand University in 2008.
“Over the years, I’ve been involved in initiatives focused on workforce development, partnerships, and diversity and inclusion, aligning with
is pleased that more women are entering the construction industry as a career due to an increased awareness of diverse opportunities and initiatives promoting gender diversity.
the Trade Ambassador Program’s mission. This program promotes the unionized construction and maintenance industry across Saskatchewan. Through the program, I use my recruitment and relationshipbuilding skills to address the labor shortage.”
As Trade Ambassador, Gautam promotes the unionized construction industry in Saskatchewan and focuses on improving diversity, including Indigenous communities, women, new Canadians, and youth.
“I build relationships with organizations and support unions and contractors in recruiting local talent. I also strengthen collaboration between existing programs across the province. What I enjoy most is making a real impact by bridging the gap between skilled labour and work opportunities, helping both employers and employees thrive.”
This past year has definitely been a busy one. She has attended meetings and events promoting the construction industry and fostering collaboration with schools, settlement agencies, and local employment centers such as Trades Skills and Centre, Work Preparation Centre, YWCA, and more.
“I also presented regularly at employment agencies and schools. A notable event was the NCLRA Conference, where I participated in a panel promoting international immigration and the inclusion of landed immigrants. It was humbling to present the Trade Ambassador
Akanksha Gautam
“ What I enjoy most is making a real impact by bridging the gap between skilled labour and work opportunities, helping both employers and employees thrive.”
Program and highlight its importance for the unionized construction industry. In the next six months, I am planning to attend community outreach programs, collaborate with educational institutions, and work on building stronger relationships with unions, contractors, and First Nations.”
Current issues
When asked about some of the current issues in the construction industry and how they should be addressed, Gautam doesn’t miss a beat.
“Pressing issues in the construction industry include labour shortages and a lack of diversity and inclusion. To address these, we should enhance recruitment efforts, promote inclusivity, and invest in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for our future construction workers. Collaboration among industry stakeholders is essential to create a skilled and adaptable workforce.”
She is also seeing more women enter the construction industry as a career due to an increased awareness of diverse opportunities and initiatives promoting gender diversity.
“Women are attracted by high earning potential, innovative projects, and
more inclusive work environments. Mentorship programs and support networks also foster a sense of community, making the industry more appealing to them.”
Outside of work, Gautam loves spending time with her family, especially supporting her children’s activities.
“I stay active through outdoor activities like hiking and love reading about leadership and personal development. I also enjoy traveling and learning about different cultures, which broadens my perspective. Balancing work and life are important, and I find joy in staying grounded.”
Mechanical Insulators
Saskatchewan Local119
Servicing the industry for over 65 years, with qualified insulation professionals
Adam Daschner’s apprenticeship journey
Adam Daschner’s journey as a welder began unexpectedly in high school at Walter Murray Collegiate. Uncertain about his future career path, he discovered his passion for welding through an elective class.
“After I took that class, I realized I enjoyed crafting. I was naturally gifted, so I wanted to do this for the rest of my life,” he says.
After high school, Daschner completed a pre-apprenticeship welding course through Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, then registered as an apprentice in 2014. With the support of his employer, he thrived in his career and earned his journeyperson certification in 2018. In 2020, he joined Keys Welding Service, where he
continues to develop his craft and give back to the industry.
“It’s important to hire apprentices because I feel like if you give apprentices your best, they will always give back to you the best, and in turn, you have a symbiotic relationship with your company,” Daschner says. “Their training and skills will pay off by having highly skilled individuals for your business.”
Today, Daschner finds joy in the versatility of the trade and the skills he’s learned that enable him to create quality work. His passion now also extends to mentoring apprentices, recognizing the value of guiding the next generation.
“The best part of my job is the people.
LOCAL UNION 395
I enjoy passing on my knowledge and enjoy working with people,” Daschner says. “Being in the position that I’m in, it’s very fulfilling to be able to pass on my knowledge to the next generation. That’s what I enjoy about work.”
Daschner values the supportive relationships that form through teaching and says, “A lot of times when you go to start anything new, there’s going to be those insecurities, and you might be afraid. That’s part of my job –to support people to have the skills and abilities to be successful in their trade and in life.”
As for his future plans, Daschner is working hard to add to his skill set. He is in his third year as a Metal Fabricator (Fitter) apprentice and is working toward his second journeyperson certification. Daschner envisions himself making even greater contributions to Keys Welding Service, with a goal of earning more senior positions within the company. He’s excited about advancing in his career and looks forward to evolving opportunities in the welding and fabrication trades.
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Pipe Trades Industry of the United States and Canada or “UA” as it is commonly known is a multicraft union whose members are engaged in the fabrication, installation and servicing of piping systems. There are approximately 326,000 highly-skilled United Association members who belong to over 300 individual local unions across North America.
The United Association has been training qualified pipe tradesmen longer than anyone else in the industry. The UA boasts the premier training programs available in the industry today, including five-year apprenticeship programs, extensive journeyman training, organized instructor training, and certification programs. United Association Local 179’s objective is to represent all workers in the Pipe Trades Industry (Plumbers, Pipefitters/Steamfitters, Welders, Refrigeration, Sprinklerfitting, Instrumentation, etc.) and to work together as partners with our contractors to provide the highest standards of quality workmanship and production for their clients in the Province of Saskatchewan.
On September 1, 1906 the United Association issued the charter for Local 179. This charter charges the membership of Local 179 with the obligation to protect the trade jurisdiction of the United Association in the plumbing and pipefitting industry in the Province of Saskatchewan and to extend the influence of the United Association to embrace all individuals employed in the plumbing and pipefitting industry in Saskatchewan.
To achieve this goal we must supply our contractors with highly skilled and dedicated tradesmen committed to providing the highest standards of quality workmanship and production. We must work together as partners with our contractors to make them the preferred choice with the clients. We must use creative and innovative strategies to bring all piping trade workers in Saskatchewan into the United Association.
It is through these actions that we will be able to achieve the benefits we rightfully deserve as fair compensation for our labour. These benefits include job security, health and welfare benefits, a living wage, a safe working environment, and a comfortable pension. We will only have achieved our mission when every individual in the Province of Saskatchewan who earns their living by working in the plumbing or pipefitting industry is a member of the United Association.
What to look for in pension plans
With some exceptions, pensions are provincially regulated, meaning employees are subject to the provincial laws where they report to work. Workers in federally regulated jobs (i.e. airlines or grain handling) fall under federal government rules so they are subject to federal law. Also, some Saskatchewan Government employee pension plans have their own legislation.
The Pension Benefits Act is the law that covers all the pension plans registered in Saskatchewan. The rules of the Act ensure the fair and equitable treatment of plan members and establish the rules under which pension plans must operate.
The Pension Benefits Act sets out certain things that the pension plan must do and certain things that regulators (such as the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan) must do.
Among other things, The Pension Benefits Act states that:
• All registered pension plans have to comply with the law;
• Amendments to plans have to be filed with the regulator’s office;
• Employers must make their required contributions. For defined benefit plans, required contributions are determined by an actuary, who performs an actuarial valuation
report at least every three years;
• Every plan has to submit an annual information return, which gives updated information about the plan; and
• All members are provided with annual statements. For defined contribution members, the statement will show members how much is in their account. For defined benefit members, the statement will show how much members can expect to receive from the plan at retirement.
Types of pension plans
There are two main types of plans: defined contribution and defined benefit. There are also limited liability plans, commonly known as target benefit plans.
Defined contribution
In a defined contribution plan, a contract defines how much the employee puts in and how much the employer puts in. A certain amount of your pay is put in the pension plan and is invested. That money accumulates over time, much like an RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan).
When you retire, you have a lump sum of money. The plan member then decides what to do with it. [How can I invest that? How can I ensure that I will have enough money for the rest of my life?]
The Act provides a few options as to
the products the money can be put in, such as a locked-in retirement account or an annuity.
Many members are interested in tools to help them understand and estimate their benefits upon retirement, and to that end, plan administrators could provide estimates of the accumulated value members will have at retirement and the pension that may result from that value.
Defined benefit
In essence, a defined benefit plan works the opposite of a defined contribution plan. In these plans, there’s a contract that specifies how much you’re going to get when you retire.
A typical plan will pay 1.5 per cent of your average income multiplied by years of employment. The best plans are two per cent plans – if you work 35 years, you’ll get 70 per cent of your salary when you retire. With the formula, administrators figure out how much it’s going to cost.
The contribution amounts float, but the pension formula is static. Every three years, the plan files an actuarial valuation report. It uses current economic data and assumptions about life expectancy to determine the cost of the pensions earned to date. It also determines the cost of benefits going forward.
Target benefit plans
The third type of plan – a hybrid of the first two – is a target benefit plan. In these plans, contributions are fixed (like in a defined contribution plan). At retirement, plan members will receive a pension directly from the pension plan based on a formula (like in a defined benefit plan). However, if the plan is in a deficit position, rather than contributions going up, as would happen in a defined benefit plan, benefits are reduced.
There has been a national trend toward the introduction of more target benefit plans. Saskatchewan has had several of these plans registered for many years.
Pension plans for the building trades unions are typically target benefit plans with several employers contributing to the plan.
Generally speaking, older plans are defined benefit and newer plans are defined contribution. The number of defined benefit plans has been declining over time, and the trend is toward more defined contribution plans.
Pension members should be aware of what type of pension plan they’re in. Particularly for defined contribution plan members, it’s important to have an idea how much money your plan is likely to provide you when you retire so you know if you need to save more money in a personal account, like an RRSP.
Plan members should be aware of their rights – like how much will their spouse be entitled to when the member dies, what happens if you leave your job,
and what happens when you retire. The plan administrator will have a plan booklet available for members, which will answer these questions.
No guarantee
There is always a possibility of low investment returns. Even in a wellmanaged portfolio of investments, external factors can result in poor returns. In defined contribution plans, poor investment performance may result in members having lowerthan-expected account balances at retirement. In defined benefit plans, poor investment performance may result in higher contribution requirements or, in some cases, the reduction of benefits.
Sometimes pension plans aren’t intended to be a replacement for your salary – not the only source of income when you retire. You should have some idea of what you’re going to get and
determine if you should supplement your pension with other savings, like RRSP contributions or TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) contributions.
Every pension plan must send an annual statement to their members, who should be looking at how the plan is doing, especially in a defined contribution plan.
If members have any questions, they should contact their plan administrator.
Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan, a Treasury Board Crown corporation, is available to help plan members if they feel they’re not being treated fairly or if they feel their plan administrator isn’t complying with pension law or the pension plan contract. They answer inquiries from plan members and plan administrators and also handle complaints.
BUILD
MORE!
Online self-directed lessons, short quizzes, step-by-step explanations, videos, tips and strategies, practice exercises, a variety of animations and tutoring supports! All contextualized to the trades!
KEEP YOUR FOOTING Prevent injuries and avoid falls
Every construction site has considerations to keep in mind when it comes to preventing slips, trips, and falls. Different hazards come with different types of projects but include what equipment is necessary, how housekeeping of the work area is maintained and what needs to be done at heights. With changing seasons and sometimes unpredictable weather, there is a lot to assess in ensuring everyone on your site is protected from potential injuries.
Among the most frequent causes of injury in construction, falls have the potential to be serious or even life-threatening. It’s important to pay attention to your tasks and surroundings, commit to ongoing safety training and take a proactive approach to site safety. With an
awareness of the hazards associated with changing weather, seasonal conditions and working at heights, you can maintain a pace of work that doesn’t compromise safety.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips occur due to insufficient traction or friction between your footwear and the surface you’re working on, causing a fall backward. Watch for slippery surfaces like water, oil, ice, loose gravel, waxed floors, spills of any kind, scattered debris, worn-out flooring, or unsecured mats.
Trips occur when your foot contacts an obstacle or drops to a lower level unexpectedly, leading to a loss of balance and causing a fall forward. Trip triggers include uneven stairs and walkways, objects obstructing your
path, doorways, wrinkled carpets or mats, snow-covered ice ruts, areas with poor lighting, open cabinet drawers, and poor housekeeping of cords, cables or other materials.
Many slips and trips end in a fall, with even a brief fall having the potential for serious injury. Falls are a common issue in construction and make up 24 per cent of all serious injuries in Saskatchewan workplaces. Falls on worksites can occur when coming down from equipment or a platform to the ground, using an unbalanced ladder or a makeshift extension, leaning off a ladder or platform, slipping off an edge of a work surface or stepping into an unmarked hole.
Here are some tips to help avoid slips, trips and falls across your site all year round.
DON'T FALL SHORT ON SAFETY
ONE-DAY
Fall Protection & Prevention Training
Updated Fall Protection & Prevention Course:
• Discuss Saskatchewan OHS regulations for fall protection systems & equipment
• Identify and learn how to use different fall protection systems
• Create a written fall protection plan
• Review effective ladder safety
• Inspect a lanyard and harness
• Plus how to properly don a fall arrest harness, supervised by an instructor
Learn From Experienced SCSA Instructors
Training is valid for three years. Recertification is available through SCSA On Demand.
Housekeeping, climbing, and seasonal concerns
As outdoor construction activity increases in the spring and summer, it’s common to work long hours, at a quick pace on busy sites. Diligent housekeeping is crucial to eliminate the hazards caused by a cluttered work area. Maintain a tidy and organized site with daily cleanup routines to dispose of waste, remove unused materials, and keep walkways clear.
Pay extra attention to ladder safety when the weather changes as wind, debris and moisture can affect stability. Always set step ladders on level ground. When climbing, face the ladder, stay centred between the rails and avoid overreaching. For extension ladders, follow the 4-to-1 rule (for every four feet of height, place one foot back). Maintain three-point contact, climb with a firm grip and avoid carrying tools in your hands.
Stairways and scaffolds need regular safety checks, ensuring proper setup and guardrails. Unstable or overloaded scaffolding can collapse, leading to
serious injuries. Always report and address scaffold hazards immediately. Aerial lifts should only be operated by trained workers, with fastened safety harnesses. Lifts also need to be set up on firm ground, away from overhead hazards like electrical wires, and the platform inspected before use.
During the fall and winter, there’s an increased risk of injuries in the construction industry with unpredictable weather and an urgency to get projects finished before snowfall. As temperatures drop and daylight fades, the change in seasons is a good reminder to be even more careful when it comes to slips, trips and falls.
Winter conditions bring additional risks, so it’s crucial to have proper footwear with good traction and ongoing de-icing measures across your site. Stay cautious on roofs and elevated work surfaces, as the hazard increases with snow and ice buildup.
Working at heights
Everyone who works at heights needs training to understand and recognize
the risks. You also need to know how to inspect and use the proper protective equipment. You need a fall protection system when working at a height of three metres (10 feet) or more, or if there is a possibility of injury from a fall at any height (such as working above operating machinery or hazardous substances and objects). Fall protection plans account for the risk of falls before work begins.
The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) offers an essential one-day training course with experienced instructors either in person or online. The course covers Saskatchewan legislation and regulations for fall protection systems and equipment. You learn and review written fall protection plans, ladder safety and inspection of a lanyard and harness. During the practical component, you receive instructor guidance on how to properly wear your fall arrest harness.
Stay safe every season
With training, awareness and taking proper precautions, you can avoid injuries from slips, trips and falls. Be sure to report near misses and ensure everyone knows how to complete their job tasks safely. Open communication goes a long way in ensuring that your worksite is safe no matter the weather.
The SCSA provides trusted training and advice on how to work safely throughout every season. Whether you need a refresher on fall protection and prevention, a safety demonstration or help answering safety-related questions, the SCSA is there to support you.
Visit scsaonline.ca for safety training, resources and advice.
LU771 ironworkers volunteer in community
This article previously appeared in the December 2024 issue of The Ironworker.
Local 838 members of the Supreme Steel fabrication crew: Rob Luepke, Chris Atkins, Fan (Frank) Yang, Dylan Wittig, Anatoliy Pukas and Alina Tatarynova. Missing from picture: Janine Naskathey.
Local 771 teamed up with Nucor, Supreme Steel and Local 838 members to provide upgrades for the Indigenous Christian Fellowship Center (ICF) Ceremonial Garden, located in north central Regina, Saskatchewan, and is a convenient access portal for community members requesting diverse services. It operates mainly on volunteers and donations. They built a ceremonial garden that the community members can use for events, ceremonies, wakes and free summer concerts. They have planted native plants from Saskatchewan, and many produce fruit that people can pick and eat throughout the summer.
In March 2024, ICF staff contacted the Saskatchewan Building Trades to ask for help with upgrades to their ceremonial garden (story on page 24). They needed two concrete pads for a woodshed and a BBQ, and some picnic tables built for guests to sit at during visits. Local 771 contacted several local contractors to ask for help and received many offers. In the end, Dennis Reid of Nucor Rebar Fabrication-Regina donated the bar and Local 771 members Guy McWatt and Clayton Ringrose placed and tied the bar for
the two pads. The Labourers of LiUNA Local 180 did the dirt work and poured the concrete while the Bricklayers of Local 1 are building a BBQ on the smaller one of the two pads.
Local 771 also reached out to Supreme Steel from Warman, Saskatchewan, to see if their shop and members of Local 838 could build some picnic tables for the garden. David Fritz and Dwayne Richels were happy to donate the steel and their time to a good cause. They built, painted and shipped the tables to Regina, which will greatly enhance the garden for people to enjoy for years to come.
Local 771 is proud to be part of such a great cause and would like to thank Nucor, Supreme Steel, Local 771 Welding Shop Coordinator/Trainer Paul Gronick and Local 771 and Local 838 members for all their help with these worthy upgrade improvements for the ICF centre community.
Indigenous Christian Fellowship (ICF) is a Canadian Indigenous urban ministry serving the spiritual and social needs of the Indian and Metis people of Regina, Saskatchewan.
Nucor Rebar FabricationRegina donates the rebar and has LU 771 members Guy McWatt and Clayton Ringrose place and tie the bar for two concrete pads.
Supreme Steel donates the steel and the labour to fabricate, paint and deliver the tables to the Indigenous Christian Fellowship Center in Regina, where it will be used in the ceremonial garden and enjoyed by many in the community.
ICF Ceremonial Garden brings community to Regina
By Paul Adair
There’s an old Chinese proverb that states, “If you want to be happy for an hour, have a nap. If you want to be happy for a month, get married. If you want to be happy forever, build a garden.” This is something that the Indigenous Christian Fellowship’s (ICF) has taken to heart with its Ceremonial Garden on Dewdney Avenue in Regina, which opened in September 2023.
Established in 1978, ICF is a Canadian Indigenous urban ministry serving the spiritual and social needs of Regina’s Indian and Metis people. ICF is one of three such ministries supported by the Christian Reformed Church in Canada, the other two being the Indian Family Centre in Winnipeg and the Edmonton Native Healing Centre.
“Indigenous Christian Fellowship works holistically to build a healthy Indigenous community within Regina’s urban environment,” says ICF Executive Director Bert Adema. “For us, that means addressing the spirit, the mind, the body, and the heart – a long-term endeavor that the Ceremonial Garden has become a welcome part of.”
The empty lot adjacent to ICF was first purchased by organization 2021, which then consulted with the local community as to what purpose the space could provide. The lot itself is approximately 60 feet wide by 120 feet long and once supported a house and a large garage that was previously demolished, leaving behind a broken concrete foundation.
Once it was decided that a ceremonial garden in the community offered the best value, clean-up commenced and the arduous job of removing the rubble and contaminated soil that had accumulated on the site over the years began in earnest.
And the results so far have been nothing short of transformational.
Mostly complete by fall 2024, IFC’s Ceremonial Garden features benches and a fire pit bordered by a high fence to shelter it from the surrounding streetscape. The fence has been painted by local artists with colourful murals that represent the community. The ground has also been
resurfaced with rubber asphalt, which is perfect – and easy on the joints – for activities like traditional dancing and powwow drumming.
A place to grow
The Ceremonial Garden is also a place for native perennial plantings and the growing of annual vegetables in garden boxes. It’s a space that creates opportunities for people to learn about the native and edible plants that grow there and help those in the community better connect with each other and the natural world, as well as provide food and habitat for native birds and insects.
“This is an outside space where we can all come as a community and do things together – whether that’s something simple as having a gathering to sing songs and roast marshmallows or something more meaningful, like having a sacred fire for a funeral wake,” Adema says. “It’s also an area for reflection, with one corner featuring benches for quiet meditation.”
Recently, the space has been donated a restaurant-quality grill for cooking hotdogs and hamburgers during social gatherings, and Adema is excited for it to be set up this spring.
He says, “People will be happy come through for a hot dog in March or early April, just because they know winter is
over and they can start to enjoy the outside again. I know we’re looking forward to risking frostbite just to fire up the barbeque again – there is nothing like being outdoors and gathering with friends.”
The response to the Ceremonial Garden has been so far overwhelmingly positive, with ICF receiving the “Every Bite Affects the World Local Action” Award in 2024 for the what the garden brings to people in the community.
Presented by the Every Bite Project, in partnership with Nature Regina, this award recognizes the work local organizations like ICF are doing to increase people’s understanding and skills around food sovereignty, helping people discover the connections between the food we eat, our own health, and the health of other living beings and the environment.
Looking ahead, ICF will continue to invest in the garden and continue to seek opportunities to improve the space over time.
“We’re still learning what we’re doing, and we will do it even better this year,” says Adema. “We lost a family youth worker last May, which hampered our connection with the community through 2024, but I’m hoping that we’ll be better staffed and have additional resources soon to really get out there and let people know about what it is we have here in Regina.”
SMART Canada works to seize green opportunities
Working families across North America continue to bear the brunt of the climate crisis, from extreme heat and natural disasters to poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke. The Canadian government is pursuing aspirational green economy goals in response and SMART Canada is working to take advantage, organizing and recruiting to make sure the provinces’ sustainable future is union made.
“Transitioning Canada’s workforce to net-zero and ensuring our members receive the skills required to lead the change without losing jobs is critical to
our economy,” says SMART Director of Canadian Affairs Chris Paswisty.
To that end, SMART Canada recently targeted potential recruits across the nation with a digital advertising campaign. Students and guidance counselors received a video introducing them to the skilled trades, with a link to SMART’s Canadian website providing information on how to get involved. The video proclaims: “This is OUR time, so think green, think clean, think SMART” –emphasizing that a new focus on green industries provides bountiful career opportunities. Scan QR code below for video.
“We see the worsening effects of climate change every year,” Paswisty adds. “Taking action isn’t just about the future of our planet and the world we leave behind for the next generation. This is about providing for our members, both today and tomorrow.”
The Canadian government’s current goal is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. Doing so will require a massive, nationwide effort, one that will rely largely on SMART’s skilled sheet metal workers and roofers. SMART Canada’s new apprenticeship web page underlines that fact, making clear that our green energy future will create plenty of jobs.
“Our sheet metal workers fabricate and install proper ventilation and air filtering systems, ensuring the overall health and energy efficiency of schools, offices, hospitals, factories, nuclear plants and homes,” says Paswisty. “Our architectural and roofing members play a crucial role in the building envelope, again helping structures operate efficiently, and they install green roofing that helps reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality. Canada needs our members to complete the green transition.”
Union workers are being helped by political action. The Government of Canada’s 2023 federal budget featured
Perhaps
a far-reaching focus on Canada’s green economy, including broadened investment in private-sector-led infrastructure, strong responses to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and much more. Perhaps most importantly, the budget tied green tax incentives to one of the strongest definitions of prevailing wage Canada has ever seen, one that incorporates union compensation, benefits and pension contributions, helping create good-paying union jobs as Canada transitions to sustainable energy.
In addition, Canada’s Building Trades
Unions (CBTU) are taking steps to make sure today’s workers aren’t left behind. Funded by Employment and Social Development Canada’s Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP), which SMART Canada and the CBTU lobbied for extensively, CBTU’s “Building it Green” national training program aims to integrate climate literacy into already existing construction trades education and training, helping apprentices, journeypersons, inspectors and training instructors take on the pressing concerns of climate change. SMART Local 280 (Vancouver, B.C.) President and
Training Coordinator Jud Martell helped develop the trade-specific curriculum for SMART members.
There’s no questioning the fact that the climate crisis is, in fact, a crisis, Paswisty notes. But meeting the challenge head-on provides a way forward, both for our communities and for SMART members.
“We are ready to grow and meet the demand by welcoming Canadians into the skilled trades, and we will collaborate with the government to continue driving Canadians toward a career in the trades,” he says.
Building the Future Together
At SMART Canada, our members are qualified professionals and certified tradespeople dedicated to all aspects of roofing, architectural cladding, custom sheet metal and complete ventilation systems. We partner with our signatory contractors across Canada to supply generations of hands-on experience and a commitment to safety on every project.
Our sheet metal members fabricate and install proper ventilation and air filtering systems to ensure the overall health of our schools, offices, hospitals and homes. Our roofing and architectural members play a vital role in the building envelope by enhancing and protecting your investments.
Together, we are building healthy communities for a better tomorrow.
We look forward to working with you on your next project. Contact us by email at info@smart-union.ca or call (877) 788-1288.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic helps women explore careers in the trades
Women in Trades and Technology powered by Orano events lead to new career for participant
Cheyanne Reimer looks forward to starting her career, one she didn’t expect for herself. She decided to take a leap and experience handson careers through an exploratory event organized by Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Women in Trades and Technology (WITT) powered by Orano.
“By participating in the WITT exploratory sessions and weekend workshops, I felt so confident going in and learning something I knew nothing about. The experience helped me realize I could be good at the trades. I
felt supported enough to try something I didn’t know I could accomplish,” Reimer explains.
Notes WITT program head Allison Zerr, “Exploratory sessions offer participants the chance to learn about a few trades at once. Through WITT, participants try different options. To help us determine programs to showcase, we use feedback from the community on what they want to see, and we do the same with the industry to see what the needs are.”
With several trades programs in mind,
Reimer faced a tough decision about which one to choose to further her education. As she weighed her options, she reached out to Zerr for advice.
“Allison is my mentor. She’s the reason I applied for the Welding certificate program. I look up to her greatly,” Reimer confides. On track to complete the program this spring, she said her next step will be apprenticeship before going for her Red Seal/journeyperson certification.
Zerr is thrilled to be part of students’ learning journeys.
“I’m extremely honoured by Cheyanne’s comments. I think back to my mentors and how they’ve been impactful. It means a lot to me. That’s why I do what I do, to help make a change, guide and impact students’ lives.”
Trades continue to be underrepresented careers for women, but Reimer is part of a growing number of women entering the industry. She thinks it’s important to pave the way for others.
“I love working with my hands. Welding is very hands-on. I like to push boundaries. I want more women to join the trades and feel comfortable in the shop,” she explains. “It has been really exciting to learn with other women. We’re all friends. It’s a nice support system. It’s comforting to know you have people in the same boat as you even though your backgrounds may be different.”
Zerr has witnessed a shift in the trades. She started at Sask Polytech as a helper for the Prince Albert summer camp in 2014. Since then, she has gone from being a casual instructor to a full-time instructor and transitioned to the role of WITT program head in 2018.
“We’re offering way more programming. We’ve gotten to a point where there’s more of a need. The WITT Powered by Orano Young Women’s Conference used to have 20-30 participants. Now there are 100 in attendance. We’re able to provide more opportunities,” she explains. “With the industry pushing for equity and equality, there’s increased support for what we’re offering. Employers are seeing the advantage of diversifying.”
Reimer looks forward to seeing other women in the shop and in the field. Eventually, she would like to make her way back to WITT and Sask Polytech
as an instructor. Until then, she has advice for others thinking about joining the trades: “Do it even if it scares you. I was so nervous when I got in. There were so many unknowns. Everything in life is scary, but it’s still worth doing, as intimidating as it is. Welding makes me feel empowered. It makes me feel strong.”
WITT offers supports to women pursuing education in non-traditional careers. Learn more about program specific tutors, mentorship opportunities, drop-in consultations, networking opportunities, campus tours and career development at Women in Trades and Technology (WITT) powered by Orano.
SMRs gaining steam in Saskatchewan
By Paul Adair
Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) are planning to use nuclear power from small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) as a way to both ensure power stability and reliability, as well as make for a cleaner, more sustainable future for the province.
For Saskatchewan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner – while still providing reliable and costeffective power – the province will need to develop a range of alternative baseload power options and build out more renewable generation (like wind and solar), which are already an important part of Saskatchewan’s mix. But, while important, these kinds of renewables can not be the only solution.
“We all know that the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow – but we always need power,” says SaskPower Executive Vice-President of Nuclear Development Len Clewett. “That means we will need to consider a combination of renewable sources and non-emitting options like nuclear power, which has been long looked at around the world as providing a reliable, emissions-free base load generation.”
In 2019, SaskPower began the long process of the evaluating the feasibility of SMRs in the province. As part of this evaluation, SaskPower
has contributed to Canada’s SMR Road Map and Action Plan and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with several other provinces – Ontario, New Brunswick, and Alberta – which has allowed the electricity supplier to work alongside its provincial counterparts to achieve net zero emissions as soon – and as safely – as possible.
SaskPower has also evaluated specific SMR designs and technologies, joined the CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) Owner’s group to leverage technical, regulatory, and research expertise from other Canadian nuclear utilities and international nuclear organizations, and has narrowed its search down to two future SMR sites near the City of Estevan – one on the Boundary Dam Reservoir and the other on the Rafferty Reservoir – with the utility taking a close look at how additional nuclear power could fit into Saskatchewan’s generation fleet.
Now with the planning phase underway, SaskPower is taking the next step to making SMRs a reality.
Watching our neighbours
With Saskatchewan being a greenfield jurisdiction (meaning never had nuclear before), SaskPower is intentionally following in the footsteps of Ontario Power Generation (OPG) when it comes to the adoption of SMRs and is closely monitoring the progress of Ontario’s own in-house SMR projects.
“A team from OPG came out to Saskatchewan just recently, and there’s a lot of back and forth between us so that we can be sure to get things right,” says Clewett. “Something that’s fairly unique within the nuclear industry is that we are always very open to sharing information and best practices, which has allowed us to leverage the lessons learned by OPG and other experienced nuclear operators for our own design and build.”
OPG is currently about five years ahead of Saskatchewan in its SMR journey and plans to have its GE-Hitachi BWRX-300 SMR in operation by 2029, the same technology selected by SaskPower and the first SMR in North America to be constructed.
“Because we’re new to nuclear, we don’t want to blaze our own trail, which was an important consideration when we selected the same reactor chosen by OPG at its Darlington site,” says Clewett. “This technology is also the 10th generation boiling water reactor from GE and is the same design – albeit on a bigger scale – that has already been licensed by regulators in the United States. This provides us some confidence that this design will also be approved by our national regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), here in Canada.”
Looking ahead, SaskPower expects to present a final investment decision to its Board and the Crown Investments
“Something that’s fairly unique within the nuclear industry is that we are always very open to sharing information and best practices, which has allowed us to leverage the lessons learned by OPG and other experienced nuclear operators for our own design and build.” – Len Clewett, SaskPower.
Corporation (CIC) by 2029, and is preparing for a construction start of 2030, with the province’s first SMR being operational a few years later.
“We are seeing a lot of momentum towards nuclear power and new nuclear builds around the world,” says Clewett. “Here in Canada, we are very optimistic that – considering what Ontario has been able to accomplish so far – we’ll have the same kind of success to get our licenses and be able to operate a plant here in Saskatchewan by 2034.”
A bright future
According to the Conference Board of Canada, the economic benefits
of SMRs in Saskatchewan would be significant. The report finds that, based on the deployment of four reactors, Saskatchewan could see more than 7,000 new jobs per year during the construction phase and 728 jobs per year on average during operation.
But more than the economy, SaskPower is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner. It’s clear that nuclear power would be an important role in realizing that commitment.
So, while there are still many questions regarding the use and future of nuclear power, the
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response to the introduction of SMRs in Saskatchewan has been largely positive by communities and industries across the province.
“People really seem open to SMRs,” Clewett says. “SaskPower recently had the chance to go down to the SMR sites we’re considering near Estevan with rightsholders, and it was a great chance to engage and hold an open dialogue with them. We want to ensure that we take every opportunity we can to inform the people of Saskatchewan about what we are doing and about the benefits of nuclear power and SMRs.”
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Our hotel, overlooking Little Manitou Lake, gives you the cozy, relaxing hospitality of a country home - with all the amenities of an urban hotel: Waters Edge Restaurant
• Seasonal outdoor patio attached to the Spa with full bar, menu service, dance floor and stage patio area that can be rented for larger gatherings of up to 300 people
• Wheelchair accessible rooms
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• Mini fridge and coffee maker in rooms
• Satellite TV with movie channels
• Fitness centre
• Elevator service
• Complimentary robes to wear to pool included with room
• Poolside WaterCrest Café
Indoor convention and banquet services, with meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 180 people
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Outdoor Patio attached to Spa with full bar, menu service, dance floor and stage patio area that can be rented for larger gatherings of up to 300 people
Wheelchair accessible rooms
Complimentary wireless internet and parking
Mini fridge & coffee maker in rooms
Satellite TV with movie channels
All hotel rooms and stays come with unlimited access to the mineral water pool with luxurious bathrobes and towels provided to each registered guest, in addition to a $10 food credit to our Water’s Edge dining room or poolside WaterCrest Café, and 10% coupon for our gift shop.
Fitness Centre
Elevator service
Complimentary robes to wear to pool included with room
Poolside Watercrest Café
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