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.
Shysters enslave foreign workers
By TOM GODFREY, SUN MEDIA
19th October 2008
Immigration officials are targeting a network of shady recruiters who are charging foreign construction workers huge fees for jobs that are available free in Canada.
The shysters are forcing workers to turn over their earnings and live like slaves after they arrive here.
TransCanada work goes underwater
Saturday, Oct 18, 2008 - 12:45:47 pm CDT
YANKTON, S.D. - Crews are expected to begin working this week to bury pipe for the TransCanada Keystone oil pipeline 60 feet below the bed of the Missouri River at Yankton.
The project of 4-6 weeks will involve nearly a half-mile of 30-inch pipe.
The TransCanada underground pipeline will run from Canada through the eastern Dakotas and Nebraska to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma.
Some pipe is already in place in northeast South Dakota.
Winter Olympic supporters and opponents both claim success from Spirit Train
October 18, 2008
Canadian Press Ltd.
VANCOUVER — Organizers and opponents of the 2010 Winter Olympics have both declared victory after duelling campaigns to raise awareness about the Games over the course of a promotional train journey from Vancouver to Montreal.
The Canadian Pacific Spirit Train wrapped up its 10-city tour in Montreal on Saturday, with an estimated 35,000 people across the country having taken part in activities highlighting Olympic sport.
OIL SANDS-PART 1: Showdown at Ft. McMoney
By Chris Arsenault*
Environmentalists say mining tar sands oil creates 3 to 5 times more
greenhouse gas emissions than conventional oil extraction.
FT. MCMURRY, Canada, Oct 16 (IPS) - The sun rises in a bright, red
line over flat land, small lakes, boreal forest and peat bogs as our
small double engine plane bumps through early morning turbulence
between Edmonton and Ft. McMurray, Canada.
With more than 173 billion barrels of oil recoverable with current
technology and more than 100 billion dollars in committed capital
Can Boeing bring a heavy-lift dirigible to the market?
October 13, 2008
With all-cargo versions of its B777 and 747-8 models already in the pipeline, Boeing is turning to a different type of cargo aircraft. In a joint venture with Canadian firm SkyHook International, the plane maker is developing a 300-foot-long dirigible that will be able to carry loads up to 40 tons over distances of up to 200 miles.
Weather Delays Pipeline
October 14, 2008
By Dawn Crawley
The Keystone Pipeline project is already underway in Day County but there's been a weather delay after recent heavy rain.
Keystone is working on clearing out the water but landowners are keeping a close eye on how long this delay will last and if it will affect their property.
Work on the Keystone Pipeline has halted for the day. The heavy rains have left conditions too saturated to work. Crews are busy pumping water and restoring conditions.
Depressed Canadian oil giants ripe for takeover
Market Caps Down
Carrie Tait, Financial Post Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
CALGARY - Canadian oil and gas companies are ripe for becoming merger bait -and we're not talking about the small and medium-sized shops. The biggies -- Suncor Energy Inc. (SU/TSX), En- Cana Corp. (ECA/TSX), Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNQ/TSX), Talisman Energy Inc. (TLM/TSX) and Nexen Inc. (NXY/TSX) -- could all be targets for the world's super biggies.
The Stock Market up. Now which way mining?
By Jack A. Caldwell
Mining columnist
14 October 2008 @ 09:53 am EST
The good news today is that the stock market is up. That is relief to be relished. We hope the trend continues, without pulling up the price of oil.
Protesters block rail line hoping to halt Olympic Spirit Train
Canadian Press // October 12, 2008 at 7:55 PM EDT
VAUGHAN, Ont. - Protesters say they have barricaded a rail line north of Toronto in hopes of stopping CP Rail's Olympic Spirit Train.
Protester Dan Keller says about 20 non-violent activists have assembled on the rail line with one woman having chained herself to the tracks.
At this time, York Region police are monitoring the situation.
