Pillar two: Prosperity
Prosperous, safe communities
Economic investment
Safety is our number one priority and is at the core of everything we do. Along with safety, collaboration is key to our success — and to economic prosperity — which is why we engage with customers, stakeholders, Indigenous and local communities during our daily operations.
SaskEnergy engages private sector companies to supplement our internal resources and provide expertise on leading practices with respect to building and maintaining our gas line system. In addition, we are committed to supporting the provincial economy through procurement processes for our natural gas infrastructure, including purchasing materials from Saskatchewan vendors, sourcing local labour and contracting Indigenous-owned businesses. Over the last several years, private contractors have performed about two-thirds of SaskEnergy’s gas construction work.
Indigenous engagement
Keeping Saskatchewan communities safe
Industry leading practices
Strong relationships are crucial to ensuring Indigenous communities have access to the benefits of natural gas. SaskEnergy serves 57 First Nations across three Treaty territories and, since 2010, we’ve connected 2,720 residents and businesses on First Nations to our system. In 2020, SaskEnergy signed the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s Indigenous Engagement Charter, demonstrating the role we play in reconciliation. We are committed to enhancing engagement and collaboration with Indigenous peoples, businesses and communities.
We’re committed to the safety of the people who live and work near our gas lines. We use sensitive leak detection equipment and odorize our gas so customers can identify any potential gas leaks. To support natural gas safety, SaskEnergy has several customer-focused programs, including advertising, odour awareness and click or call before you dig messaging. Carbon monoxide (CO) awareness is also a focus in the safe use of natural gas appliances. In 2021, SaskEnergy purchased 1,000 CO alarms to give to customers and extended its CO alarm rebate program to further support customer safety.
To ensure we have leading safety practices and technology in place, we regularly collaborate with industry associations, provincial regulatory bodies and other natural gas utilities across Canada. In the rare occasion that an emergency does occur, SaskEnergy has a robust Emergency Response program to protect employees, the public and the communities we serve. Our emergency management program is based on a mitigate, prepare, respond and recover philosophy and drives continuous education.
In 2020-21, 69.4 per cent of SaskEnergy's capital and operating expenditures were paid to Saskatchewan businesses, totalling nearly $320 million.
Independent plumbing, heating and appliance companies throughout the province are also engaged through SaskEnergy’s Network Member program, which supports natural gas customers with programs and services such as appliance upgrades, furnace maintenance and carbon monoxide safety. Currently, there are 178 Residential Network Members in 54 communities and 72 Commercial Network Members in 16 communities throughout Saskatchewan.
2020-21 Sustainability Report
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