Author: Sherry Martell

WCB rates to be reduced in 2027

HALIFAX – The Worker’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia has just announced (June 10) the first rate decrease in more than 40 years. As of January 1, 2027 a rate reduction of 15% will be implemented. Workplace injuries are at historic lows in the province. Even with the deduction, Nova Scotia’s WCB rates remain the highest in the country. The NSRBA is a member of a business coalition that has lobbied for this welcome first step and encourages the WCB board to continue to get rates lowered to a national average as quickly as possible. 

Read full news release here:

MASSTOWN – The NSRBA hosted a Road Builder 101 Course for two cohorts of students during the past 10 weeks at Commercial Safety College, in Masstown, that saw 16 people Graduate the program. This introduction to road building focuses on safety, basic industry skills, tools and equipment familiarization. Contractors are involved from start to finish and students receive assistance to find employment. Congratulations to all our 2026 graduates and we wish you a safe work season ahead.

TRURO – The Atlantic Road Builders Association (ARBA) held its spring meeting in Truro May 6 and 7, hosted by the Nova Scotia Road Builders Association, to discuss issues impacting the road building and heavy civil industry in all four provinces.

Former NSRBA executive director Grant Feltmate was presented with an Honourary Lifetime Membership in ARBA.

Pictured from left, Kris Mulcahy, Executive Director, Heavy Civil Newfoundland & Labrador; Sherry Martell, Executive Director, NSRBA; Grant Feltmate, former Executive Director NSRBA, Melissa Paquet, Executive Director, PEI Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association; and Tom McGinn, Executive Director, Road Builders Association of New Brunswick.

The Nova Scotia Road Builders Association is pleased join Construction Alliance strengthening voice in Atlantic Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 14, 2026

Atlantic construction leaders launch new alliance to tackle shared challenges and strengthen the region

HALIFAX, NS — Construction leaders from across Atlantic Canada have come together to launch the Atlantic Construction Alliance (ACA), a united regional voice strengthening how projects are planned, managed and built across all four Atlantic provinces.

The ACA will bring the industry together to advocate for fairer rules, modern procurement practices, better labour mobility, stronger workforce development, smarter long‑term infrastructure planning, and accelerated delivery of new housing. By speaking as one region instead of four separate provinces, the alliance aims to reduce red tape, improve consistency, and drive economic growth across Atlantic Canada.

The founding partners include:

• Construction Association of Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotia Road Builders Association

• Construction Association of New Brunswick

• New Brunswick Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association

• Construction Association of Prince Edward Island

• Prince Edward Island Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association

• Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association

• Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The strength of our collective organizations is advocacy so coming together as one regional alliance will allow us to reach broader audiences within various orders of government as they set policies impacting our industry,” said Sherry Martell, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Road Builders. “Our industry builds and maintains critical trade-enabling infrastructure, safe water facilities and sewers that support every Atlantic community driving their economy forward.”

A collaborative vision for Atlantic growth

The Atlantic Construction Alliance was created by eight provincial construction associations, representing thousands of contractors, tradespeople and suppliers who collectively employ more than 100,000 Atlantic Canadians.

What the new alliance will do:

• Modernize procurement: Promote fair, transparent, and consistent contracting practices across the region through wider adoption of standard Canada-wide construction contracts (CCDC documents), so companies can bid more easily and governments get better results.

• Support housing delivery: Advocate for procurement, financing and regulatory approaches that allow builders to deliver more housing faster, including multi‑unit, rental and affordable housing projects.

• Improve workforce mobility: Work to remove barriers that prevent skilled tradespeople from moving freely between Atlantic provinces, helping fill labour shortages where they are most urgent.

• Advocate for infrastructure investment: Advocate for equitable federal and provincial investment in nation-building projects that strengthen Atlantic supply chains and communities.

• Strengthen workforce development: Coordinate regional responses to labour shortages and work with governments to align apprenticeship systems, immigration pathways, and credential recognition.

• Support sustainability and innovation: Encourage adoption of new building technologies, digital tools, and energy‑efficient construction standards that make the industry more productive and future‑ready.

One industry, one voice

The ACA will act as a collaborative forum for Atlantic industry leaders to engage governments, owners, and post-secondary institutions. It will also share best practices, conduct joint research, and deliver unified policy positions on issues that transcend provincial borders.

Each province has unique strengths, but similar challenges—workforce shortages, rising costs, and outdated procurement frameworks—are the same. The Alliance will allows the organizations to speak with one voice on behalf of industry, workers and future growth.

Over the coming months, the Alliance will formalize its governance structure, establish working groups on procurement, workforce, and sustainability, and begin developing shared policy priorities.

For more information, please contact:

Sherry Martell

Executive Director

Nova Scotia Road Builders

sherry@nsrba.ca

902-890-4616

Caption: Members of the Atlantic Construction Alliance at their inaugural meeting in Halifax in September 2025.

Front row (left to right):

Sam Sanderson, Executive Director, CAPEI

Duncan Williams, President & CEO, CANS

Chris Demerchant, Past President, NBRHCA

Melissa Paquet, Executive Director, PEIRBHCA

Grant Feltmate, former Executive Director, NSRBA

Stephen Short, Past Chair, NLCA

Back row (left to right):

Ian Boyd, Past Chair, CANS Board of Directors

Kris Mulcahy, Executive Director, HCANL

Darren Sutherland, President, CANB

Rhonda Neary, President/COO, NLCA

John-Ryan Morrison, Executive Director, CANB

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DARTMOUTH – The 2026 Asphalt Paving Laydown Technician course, hosted by NSRBA, wrapped up on Friday, April 17 at Toromont CAT in Dartmouth with 17 participants receiving their certificates of completion at a closing ceremony.

Congratulations to everyone and a huge thank you to the program facilitators and Toromont CAT for welcoming us to your location to provide this specialized training.

News Release

Jan 23, 2026

Executive Director to Retire Following Distinguished Tenure at Nova Scotia Road Builders Association

HALIFAX – Long-serving Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Road Builders Association, Grant Feltmate, is on the road to retirement.

After serving 18 years at the helm of the Association, Feltmate’s pending retirement was announced to the more than 170 members gathered during the organization’s AGM held on Wednesday (Jan.21) in Halifax.

“It has been an extreme pleasure and honour to represent this Industry,” said Feltmate. “The unquestioned commitment by its members is what makes it such a successful Industry and Association.”

Feltmate was presented with an Honourary Lifetime Membership during a special tribute by the Board.

After a lengthy selection process, the Board has chosen a successor for the Executive Director position welcoming Sherry Martell to the organization. The pair will work as a leadership team during a transition period with plans for Martell to step fully into the Executive Director’s role on April 1.

Martell is an accomplished executive director, journalist and entrepreneur with extensive expertise in advocacy, governance and financial management. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation for operational excellence, strategic communication and innovative project planning.

With more than 15 years in senior leadership roles, Martell has spearheaded major projects in multi-media journalism, economic development, trades training and tourism.

In his annual report to the members, Feltmate spoke about the many challenges and successes faced by Nova Scotia’s heavy civil industry during the past year, such as summer weather that created lengthy tinder dry work conditions.

He said adjusting quickly and implementing safety precautions at job sites during last summer’s drought conditions contributed to a successful construction season.

“We had great conditions for getting our work completed, which is supported by the small carry-over amount (of tendered contracts),” said Feltmate. “At the same time, we had to add being prepared for dealing with dangerous conditions on our sites for fires.”

With the possibility of drought conditions continuing in future seasons, he encouraged the membership to continue to consider measures to mitigate fire risks at job sites.

Feltmate also shared that hosting enhanced training opportunities such as Road Building 101 and its own Asphalt Laydown Technician course, along with strengthening partnerships with stakeholders, were achievements in the past year.

The Board will be led in 2026 by newly elected president Graham Clark, of Cumberland Paving and Contracting. 

As part of the Association’s AGM and conference, two awards recognizing a commitment to workplace safety were awarded. Ron Chisholm Hydro-Seeding Limited was named as the overall winner of the 2025 safety contest receiving the WCB Accident Prevention Shield and Elmsdale Landscaping Limited received the HWL Doane Award for greatest improvement in accident frequency rate.

The Association also presented an Honourary Lifetime Membership to Lloyd Bonang, President and Owner of South Shore Ready Mix Limited. Bonang is one of the pioneers in the ready-mix concrete industry in Atlantic Canada, expanding his more than 60-year legacy to include six companies.

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Media contact:

Grant Feltmate

Executive Director, Nova Scotia Road Builders Association