Month In Review – Saskatchewan
LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Laws
Jun 5: The federal government announced that it’s investing $15 million in the Turning Sun Solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Estevan, Saskatchewan. With 10% Indigenous ownership, Sun Solar is one of the largest renewable energy projects under construction in all of Canada. Once operational, it will power the equivalent of 25,000 homes.
New Laws
May 21: Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) announced over $8.1 million in funding under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) to enhance Saskatchewan’s trade and steel manufacturing capacity. The package includes $5.1 million to help Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP), as well as $1 million apiece to three steel manufacturers in and around Regina: DynaIndustrial GP Inc., Dutch Industries Ltd., and Hi-Tec Profiles Inc.
Action Point: Find out about the 8 ways the U.S. tariffs affect Canadian workplaces and HR activities.
New Laws
May 22: The Competition Bureau reached an agreement with Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited (P & H) on its proposed acquisition of GrainsConnect Canada Operations Inc. (GrainsConnect). The Bureau found that the transaction would reduce competition for the purchase of wheat from farmers in the region surrounding Reford, Saskatchewan. In response, P & H has agreed to sell GrainsConnect’s grain elevator business in Reford to a buyer to be approved by the government.
Health & Safety
May 6: WorkSafe Saskatchewan announced a new proactive safety strategy. Key priorities: i. improve return to work programs; ii. focus on psychological health and safety; iii. use technology to prevent occupational disease exposure and injuries in health care; iv. apply industry specific data to inform actions; and v. encourage strong workplace safety leadership and shared accountability.
Action Point: Find out how to create a vibrant workplace health and safety culture to prevent injuries and workers’ compensation claims at your company.
Drugs & Alcohol
Jun 1: The newly effective Response to Illicit Drugs Act allows Saskatchewan’s government and individual victims to recover costs from drug producers, traffickers, and traders. The Act also authorizes the province to void appointments, grants, and agreements to individuals or entities convicted of offences involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, cocaine, codeine, and other Schedule 1 drugs.
Action Point: Find out how to implement an effective fitness for duty policy to control substance abuse at your workplace.
Workers’ Compensation
Jun 1: The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) published the new rates (PRO 07/2026) governing reimbursement of costs incurred by workers in traveling in personal vehicles to receive treatment for work-related injuries, towit, 55 cents per kilometer for normal travel, 59 cents per kilometer for “Premium” travel (north of the 54th parallel) and a $7.00 per day minimum.