Labour / Migration

Pipeline Installation Begins in Marshall County
Friday, October 10, 2008 10:56 AM
(Source: American News (Aberdeen, S.D.))trackingBy Russ Keen, American News, Aberdeen, S.D.

Oct. 10--Some pipe is in the ground and covered with soil in northern Marshall County for the $5.2 billion TransCanada Keystone pipeline that will run through parts of Marshall and Day counties.

That was the word on Thursday from Jeff Raugh, project representative for Keystone. Pipe is in place from North Dakota/South Dakota border south almost to state Highway 10, he said.

Tar sands stocks hit 52-week lows on financing fears

Carrie Tait, Financial Post Published: Monday, October 06, 2008

CALGARY -- A slew of Canada's most respected oil and gas outfits slammed into 52-week lows during Monday's tumultuous trading session, highlighting fears that companies in the oil patch face a struggle to rustle up the cash necessary to plow ahead with expensive projects.

Labour groups critical of Harper’s oilsands comments
Friday, October 10, 2008
By CAROL CHRISTIAN
Today staff

Recent election promises by Conservative Leader Stephen Harper focusing on oilsands irritated two labour groups fighting for Canadian job, and energy, security.

Both the national Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) Union and the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) claim Harper continues to ignore Canadian national energy security, and the jobs pouring out of the country.

Politicians vs. our last healthy industry
Mark Milke, For The Calgary Herald
Published: Friday, October 10, 2008

In a serendipitous release Wednesday, Statistics Canada published data on how much the oil and gas industry spends on extraction, i.e., getting oil and gas out of the ground so we can power our automobiles and heat our homes and offices, among other uses.

The numbers are staggering. In 2007, the industry spent $49.7 billion on capital expenditures. On the operating side, Canada's energy industry cut cheques worth $37.6 billion.

Ability of oilsands players to weather storm a question of timing: economist
The Canadian Press
October 10, 2008 - 12:44 a.m.

CALGARY - The ability of oilsands players to weather the recent economic tempest will in large part depend on timing, an economist says.

On Friday crude oil prices shrivelled to US$80 - break-even territory for many high-cost oilsands projects.

Derek Burleton of TD Economics says companies that started their projects a few years back will be in better shape, since their plans were based on crude prices not all that different from today's.

George Monbiot stirs debate over fate of tar sands
By Matthew Burrows

George Monbiot wants the Alberta tar-sands industry shut down “as quickly as possible”.

The best-selling author, Guardian columnist, and environmentalist told the Georgia Straight he would like to see “large-scale direct actions” to make that happen.

Enbridge spells DEFENCE
Posted: October 08, 2008, 1:01 PM by David Pett
Energy:

Enbridge Inc. is a good bet for those investors seeking refuge from beaten down markets of now.

At least, that's the conclusion set forth by two analysts, following Enbridge's Investor Day in Toronto on Tuesday.

"Enbridge made a strong case for its investment merits in today’s market, including a low risk profile, manageable capital requirements, and compelling earnings growth over the next 4-5 years," Grant Hofer of UBS said in a research note, reiterating his "buy" rating and $50 price target.

CSIS, RCMP launch probes against possible Olympic threats
Jeff Lee , Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, October 08, 2008

VANCOUVER - Security forces are predicting protests will escalate as the 2010 Olympics approach and have mounted a number of "intelligence probes" to counteract threats.

The information is contained in heavily censored documents obtained by the Vancouver Sun from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the RCMP, the lead agency for the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (ISU.)

Very interesting line in here:
"Instead of building an upgrader such as at Fort Hills, which needs an oil price of around $90 a barrel to create returns, the returns are better if companies find a U.S. refining partner to take their bitumen production, he added."

This is essentially a statement that the financial collapse within the United States is leading the tar sands to export more bitumen directly without, in industry parlance "giving the value added here before moving the product downstream". This will definitely further inflame the Alberta Federation of Labour.

--M

No pipelines to China: Harper out of touch - Energy union president addresses Munk Centre

TORONTO, Oct. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Stephen Harper has completely misled
Canadians with his comments about the oil industry last week in Calgary and
again during the leaders' debate.
Mr. Harper said that to enforce greenhouse gas reduction, Canada must
prohibit the export of bitumen to any country with lesser targets, such as
China.
"There are no pipelines to China, and no oil exports to China," says the
president of Canada's largest energy union. "Our bitumen pipelines are all to