Did You Know? April 21st, 2026

by | Apr 21, 2026 | Blogs

 

Did You Know? April 21st, 2026

Toxic Gas, Delayed Ignition, and Unprepared Shops: An EV Fire Safety Primer for Collision Repairers

 

From thermal imaging cameras to fire blankets, EV Safety founder Bruno Lucarelli explains what genuine EV fire readiness looks like for shops.

I realize that electric vehicles (EV’) are not as common in Saskatchewan as they are in a place like the British Columbia lower mainland, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t exist here. Lately there has been considerable concern about EV battery fires – recently in Saskatoon we had a prominent battery shop go up in flames by supposedly an EV battery fire. I know that at the condo I live in here in Saskatoon when we created a special area for EV bikes where a potential fire could do very little harm our insurance company dropped our building insurance significantly.

In a recent ezine from Autobody News they had a great article combined with a video that outlines what EV Fire readiness could look like for a body shop. I encourage you to take the time to check this story out here.
 

A Resource for Shops

There are many steps shops can take to protect themselves and others. Getting trained in safety procedures, having safety equipment in the shop and knowing how to use it, and being aware of the EV risks are the basic but important steps to follow.
 
EV Safety offers a non-technical employee certification that Lucarelli said takes about 20 minutes and can be completed on a phone. More information is available at evsafetyproducts.com or by calling 844-EV-FIRES.
 

Is Your Shop Ready for the EV Future?

As many of you know Mike Anderson is one of the most sought after speakers of the collision industry. His insights towards business transcend well beyond the collision industry and in this short 30 minute interview with Jason Stahl he gives some great insights on what it takes to ignite excellence in your life and your business. Click the image above to watch the video.

 

 
This event gives high school girls a hands-on, interactive “Crash Course” experience to explore opportunities in the autobody industry. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of skilled trades professionals in a fun and welcoming environment.

Event Details:
 Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  Location: ACX Venture

Registration is open, and here’s the link to share with any students or contacts who may be interested: https://forms.gle/SZ6RdxkkF8q8k7wHA

We’d greatly appreciate your help spreading the word so more young women can attend. Thank you for supporting us in empowering students to explore careers in the skilled trades!

Brittany Huber – Collision Centre Manager

DO YOU HAVE YOUR
WILL COMPLETED YET?

 
Those of you who attended our Spring Conference will know what I’m talking about. As Tom said, “You don’t want the government to be the executor of your estate.”
 
A will is key but further to Tom’s presentation I came across an interesting story about another aspect of our lives that needs to be addressed. If you were to get hit by a truckload of pigs today does your family have knowledge and access to all of the financial decisions you manage? Do they know about all your bank accounts, investments, credit cards and how you pay for all of the day to day services that your family depends on? How about all your passwords? Birth certificates? Social Insurance number?
 
I know in my family there are things that I oversee and things that my wife handles which neither of us totally knows about or understands how to manage those tasks if one of us was not around. 
 
The solution is to have a “in Case I Go Missing” for storing important documents and information in case of your death. You can buy one on Amazon for as little as $30 plus tax here:
 
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0DB6VXTQQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2YWCPR0F219HT&th=1
 
Check it out, someone in your family will thank you some day!

Further to the above article, Lee M. Campbell and associates is the Sunlife provider that administers our ARA/SAAR Group Insurance Plan – if you are not familiar with it you need to check it out, chances you will save money and have better benefits! You should contact Leslie DeBoice at leslie.deboice@sunlife.com or at 306-649-4000 ext 111. They also provide:
 

Estate and Retirement Planning

Business owners spend years building something meaningful—yet many don’t have a clear plan for what happens to that value in the future. Estate planning isn’t just about passing assets on; it’s about preserving what you’ve built, minimizing tax exposure, and ensuring a smooth transition for your family or successors. Without a structured plan, even the most successful businesses can face unnecessary complications, delays, and financial loss at critical moments.

At the same time, aligning your investments and insurance strategies with your long-term goals is essential. The right investment approach can help grow and protect your wealth beyond the business, while tailored insurance solutions can safeguard against unexpected risks that could disrupt both your company and personal finances. Taking a proactive, integrated approach ensures you’re not just building wealth—but protecting it, sustaining it, and positioning it to support the legacy you envision.

Whether you’re just starting to think about estate planning or looking to refine your current investment and insurance strategies, a conversation can help clarify your next steps. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and explore how a tailored plan can support both your business and your long-term financial goals.
 

Lee Campbell, Sun Life Advisor
306-371-1710
lee.campbell@sunlife.com
Tom Bissonnette 
Executive Director
306-229-5254
tom@saskautorepairers.com
saskautorepairers.com