It is falsely assumed that big projects equal lots of jobs and, by extension, labour peace if not outright satisfaction. The size and scope of the tarsands means for incredibly dangerous work conditions-- some fatalities at the plants have already occurred. The products seldom get their "value added" in union-run locations, instead the heavy bitumen can be shipped to many different locations across North America for refining, denying benefits to the union. However, the Union does not represent the "guest worker", now being imported in increasing numbers as legislation is changed to make access easier, the term of exploitation last longer, without any new efforts or pathways to deciding to stay after helping tear up the earth.
Canadian Natural's Horizon producing above capacity
Wed Jul 8, 2009 3:52pm EDT
CALGARY, Alberta, July 8 (Reuters) - Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNQ.TO) has been ramping up production at its new Horizon oil sands project, recently seeing output of up to 120,000 barrels per day, a rate above the project's official capacity, the company's vice-chairman said on Wednesday.
West Coast oilsands exports at record
Shipments open new markets for Alberta crude
By Shaun Polczer, Calgary Herald
July 9, 2009
CALGARY - Exports of oilsands via tanker ships off the West Coast hit an all-time high this spring, the head of the only pipeline company to cross the Rocky Mountains said in Calgary Wednesday.
Chinese firms say they don't owe Alberta oilsands worker any wages
Canadian Press
By John Cotter
July 10 / 2009
EDMONTON — Companies linked to a Chinese energy giant say they don't owe any wages to a man who was employed as a temporary foreign worker at an Alberta oilsands project.
He is one of 132 Chinese men who worked at Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.'s Horizon project in 2007. The Alberta government says the workers are owed $3 million in missing wages.
Shell May Close or Sell Montreal East Oil Refinery
By Guy Collins
July 9 (Bloomberg) -- Royal Dutch Shell Plc may close or sell its Montreal East refinery in Quebec, Canada, among various options it’s considering for the plant as part of a global review of assets.
Possibilities include the sale of the refinery and some associated downstream businesses; closure of the plant; conversion into a terminal; establishment of a joint venture; or continued operation, a Shell spokesman said today by telephone, declining to be identified in line with company policy.
ICC approves oil pipeline, not eminent domain
By Jeffrey Tomich
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/09/2009
The Illinois Commerce Commission will allow the construction of a 170-mile oil pipeline that will deliver crude from Canada's oil sands to a storage hub about an hour east of St. Louis.
But regulators said it was premature to give the Calgary-based developer, Enbridge Inc., authority to use eminent domain to acquire an easement for the project if it cannot negotiate an agreement with landowners.
53 charges for CNRL, contractors
CAROL CHRISTIAN
Today staff
Following a record 53 charges laid against three companies for a 2007 accident that killed two workers at the oilsands work site, the Alberta Federation of Labour blames the provincial government for not being more vigilant to prevent such a tragedy.
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) announced 53 charges yesterday in connection to the April 24, 2007, accident that also injured four other workers, two seriously, at the Canadian Natural Resources Horizon project, about 75 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.
An alternative anniversary
Charlotte Hilling
Northern News Services
Published Friday, July 3, 2009
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The social justice coalition Alternatives North has been making life easier for some, and uncomfortable for others, according to a raft of speakers at the 17th anniversary get together last Friday.
Union of Northern Workers president Todd Parsons said he would struggle to cope with his workload if it were not for the volunteer organization.
"I could not do all this work by myself - and because Alternatives North exists - I don't have to," he said.
Little hope in the pipeline
Repeated delays of Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline have Inuvik seeing red
By Claudia Cattaneo, Financial Post
July 2, 2009
Inuvik, N.W.T. -- The conversation in this town of 3,500 in the Western Arctic should be about aboriginal self-sufficiency, environmentally responsible Northern development and a new clean-energy storehouse with immense potential. After all, the proposed $16.2-billion Mackenzie Valley natural-gas pipeline project was supposed to be under construction by now.
** Community and Public Health Advocates Halt Chevron Refinery Expansion
_________________________________________________
For Immediate Release: July 2, 2009
Contact:
Will Rostov, Earthjustice, (510) 550-6725
Torm Nompraseurt, Asian Pacific Environmental Network, (510) 323-5245
Greg Karras, Communities for a Better Environment, (415) 902-2666
Henry Clark, West County Toxics Coalition, (510) 232-3427
Community and Public Health Advocates Halt Chevron Refinery Expansion at
Richmond, CA
Martinez, CA – Contra Costa County Superiior Court Judge Barbara Zuniga has
Enbridge pushes pipeline project
3 July 2009
Enbridge's oil infrastructure projects are picking up pace
The need to add capacity to North America’s oil infrastructure will be resolved with the construction of a 1,000-mile long Canada to US oil pipeline set to begin in August.
Houston-headquartered Enbridge Energy’s pipeline is part of a construction project, Alberta Clipper and Southern Lights, on two pipelines designed to match demand for greater energy security.
