Dear Sir:
The Northern Gateway Project is a game changer for construction workers in the coming years. It opens new markets for ”Made in Canada” oil products not only for North American customers but now to another large economic region.
Canadian construction workers will benefit not only from the initial build but also from oil and gas infrastructure expansion in Alberta of Canada’s reserve of petroleum products.
As we already know, when oil and gas investment is made in Alberta, all regions of Canada benefit. When the Gateway is finished, it opens up new markets to Canadians in every industry.
An expansion of pipeline will not only increase the petroleum production capabilities of Canada, but will further cement our place as an oil-producing country in an increasingly energy hungry world.
There are an estimated 315 billion barrels of oil available in the oil sands – the continued expansion of this resource will contribute to Canada’s energy superpower status.
Economic prosperity does not have to come at the expenses of environmental care for future generations. Our members are implementing and using new technologies developed by industry to minimize the carbon footprint of the industrial process in Alberta.
The men and women of the Canadian Building Trades live, work and play in Alberta and British Columbia and
have a vested interest in protecting the land. Our members raise their families in the communities the pipeline will pass through – this piece of Canadian infrastructure is more than a few pay cheques to our members. The permanent nature of the facilities along the pipeline provide long term jobs and careers. The development of the Northern Gateway project does not put British Columbia’s natural beauty at risk.
The regulation of the oil and gas industry as a whole ensures that the impact to the environment and native peoples will be minimal and the benefits should far exceed any possible drawbacks.
The job opportunities associated with construction of a pipeline of this nature are enormous. Pipelines provide opportunities for young Canadians to pursue an apprenticeship program and gives valuable on-the-job experience for local labour markets.
The Affiliates of the Canadian Building Trades have a large economic and social interest in this project receiving approval to proceed from the National Energy Board.
Robert R. Blakely
Director of Canadian Affairs
Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO