During May, the notification centre will process 50 - 65 thousand locate requests translating into over 200,000 notifications to underground asset owners in Alberta alone. When things are that busy, you can expect some delays and some extended hold times to talk to an agent. To lessen the burden on the system, here are some helpful hints for becoming a smooth operator – someone who can enter their locate request online safety and accurately the first time, making the process easier from end to end.

Utility Safety Partners (USP) helps facilitate underground locates by collecting your excavation information and sending it to our Members and their locators. While USP plays a role in connecting excavators to utility owners and locators, these parties do not indicate to USP if a locate request has been completed at this time.

Damage Prevention Professional Certification: Program Update

In May, I spent a productive hour with the Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) Board during their two‑day meeting in Ottawa. Initially, I expected a short presentation slot; then Executive Director Todd Scott offered me a full hour. Absolutely, I took it!

Most people think infrastructure projects happen in cities. They think about roadwork downtown, new developments, utilities being installed in growing neighborhoods, crews working along busy streets. But a large part of infrastructure work doesn’t happen in cities at all. It happens hours away from the nearest urban center, in rural regions, in the mountains, in the forest, on industrial sites, and in communities that are often considered remote or underserved. And the reality of working in those areas is completely different.

I was a DPA (Damage Prevention Associate) for my first 2 years with Utility Safety Partners (formerly Alberta One-Call) and I certainly dealt with more than a few inappropriate callers. Since becoming a Team Leader 12 years ago, I now get the escalations of escalations, often folks on the brink of screaming due to their frustration around locate delays or other issues that have cropped up within the damage prevention industry over the years.

You don’t know what you don’t know. And that’s Ok! We’re here to educate.

2026 is shaping up to be an increasingly curious year.

I’m not talking about the new-fangled music the kids wiggle to on the TikTok, nor am I speaking to major world events close and far. I’m definitely not talking about the latest major motion picture or even the weather!

No 2026 is looking strange and somewhat alien because this May is…manageable.

The aligned Business Rules for Western Canada Notification Systems will be reviewed and revised in 2026. Since their adoption by BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in 2018, the document has been revised twice.

When people need a ride today, they don’t call a dispatcher or wonder who will arrive. They open an app, drop a pin, compare drivers and vehicles, see the price, and confirm the trip in seconds. The entire process happens in one place.

Imagine if utility locating worked the same way.