RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE BUILDINGS

The Government of Saskatchewan recognizes the importance of strong building laws and regulations and has today, for the first time ever, proclaimed May 22-28 as Building Safety Week in Saskatchewan.

"This government takes building safety very seriously because each of us lives, works, and plays in buildings each and every day," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said. "By working with members of the Saskatchewan Building Officials Association to make sure our buildings meet the National Building Code of Canada we help to ensure the safety of Saskatchewan citizens and families."

The Saskatchewan Building Officials Association represents 275 active members in the province. Building officials are appointed by municipal governments and enforce building by-laws, zoning by-laws and national building codes. Building officials review plans, issue building permits, inspect buildings under construction and enforce compliance with the National Building Code as amended for use in Saskatchewan.

"As building officials, we make sure that buildings are structurally safe and meet all current national building codes," Saskatchewan Builders Association President Dan Knutson said. "That is why we are pleased that the province has proclaimed May 22-28 as Building Safety Week in Saskatchewan in conjunction with National Building Safety Month. We want to raise public awareness about the role the National Building Code of Canada plays in providing safe, healthy buildings for people to live and work in."

The theme of this year's Building Safety Week is "fire safety and awareness" promoting the application of good fire safety practices in buildings.

More information about building safety and standards can be found at www.cpsp.gov.sk.ca/Building-Standards or www.sboa.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Art Jones
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8606
Email: art.jones@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-8978

Dan Knutson
President, Saskatchewan Building Officials Associa
Swift Current
Phone: 306-778-2740