January 14, 2019 – The government of Saskatchewan is transferring responsibilities for electrical licensing from the ministry of government relations and electrical inspections and permits from SaskPower, the province’s principal electric utility, to the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK).

The changes are part of a larger transfer, which will also see TSASK inherit gas licensing from the ministry, gas inspections and permitting from SaskPower and plumbing inspections and permitting from the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

“By centralizing these services, we will create efficiencies,” says Warren Kaeding, provincial minister of government relations.

After a 2009 review recommended the development of a ‘one-stop shop’ for safety regulatory services, TSASK was created in 2010 as an independent body. Its initial mandate included the administration of safety services for boilers, pressure vessels, elevators and amusement rides.

With the additional transfer of services, which will take up to two years to complete, the government promises there will be no effect on current staff.

“The department will be moving to TSASK as is,” says David Pilon, electrical inspector with SaskPower and Code File columnist for Electrical Business. “At this time, there are still a lot of processes to work through. We look forward to working as a team with licensing and the other authority having jurisdictions (AHJs) and hope to have some sit-downs with the new CEO and hear his vision and goals for the future of our department.”

The Electrical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan (ECAS) has endorsed the transition.

“A joint single-service authority would increase communication among electrical licensing, inspection and industry stakeholders,” says Doug Folk, executive director of ECAS. “This enhanced electrical authority would improve education and enforcement of the Electrical Licensing Act and Regulations.”