Building Saskatchewan: Construction industry highlights sector

“You could have anywhere from 15 to 20 people working on a project like this,” he said. “You have your carpenters, electricians, plumbers, drywallers, and companies supplying glazing, wood and insulation. And that’s before the finishes like floors, kitchens and landscaping.”

It’s no secret last year was a challenging one for the industry as building permits waned given the continued downturn in the economy, but Court said there were signs of life as he looked forward to the prospect of further diversification in P.A.

“We’re on the upswing and things are looking good for the province,” he said. “We need some more industry being brought into the city and I know the mayor has been pushing for that for us, and I really think that will help boost our industry including housing.”

The industry and municipalities continue to lobby the government for a relaxation in the Provincial Sales Tax it imposed from 2017 on construction projects. The opposition NDP said the tax had helped hurt an already struggling sector to the tune of around 1,900 jobs from February to March this year alone. The tax also added big money to major infrastructure projects towns and cities had been planning.

Dan Yungwirth and Ryan Court with the Prince Albert Construction Association.(Glenn Hicks/paNOW Staff)

Dan Yungwirth, a board member with the P.A. Construction Association and general manager of Miller Contracting, said while the tax was here for the next budget year he remained hopeful it could be eased in the future.

“It hurts the owners because it costs more, so a project gets scaled back or cancelled,” he said. “Our industry has been calling for the PST to be taken off or for a rebate system.”

The total employment impact of construction to the province is in the realm of 50,000 people, working for about 12,000 businesses associated with the industry.

“In Prince Albert we have 75 members of the association, and most employers in the industry have five employees or less, so there are probably several hundred people directly involved in P.A. and area,” Yungwirth said.

With $2 billion a year in wages the industry accounts for 12 per cent of provincial payroll, according to the Saskatchewan Construction Association, and there will be regular employment openings in the years ahead. Over the coming decades there are expected to be 9,300 retirements, or 19 per cent of the work force.

Over 7,500 apprentices were registered in the sector in 2018 and Yungwirth said that was key for people wanting to secure a future in the industry.

“An apprenticeship provides stable employment while you’re being trained across various professions and eventually that career could take you into job site supervision and project management,” he said.

Up to 20 different employees can be involved in the construction of a new home like this according to the PA Construction Association. (Glenn Hicks/paNOW Staff)

A number of local events will mark the week including workshops for high school students at the SaskPoly on Thursday. Lunch is also being provided. On Friday the P.A. Construction Association has arranged a luncheon with the mayor and council at the Ches Leach Lounge.

On Monday morning one of the McDonald’s restaurants in the city offered free breakfast to the first hundred construction workers through the doors.

—

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow

by Glenn Hicks

Building Saskatchewan: Construction industry highlights sector

What's Trending