Oil Sands Truth: Shut Down the Tar Sands

Labour / Migration

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.

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Tar sands stocks take beating as Connacher shelves expansion

Oil sands stocks take beating as Connacher shelves expansion

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

CALGARY -- Oil sands stocks were being clobbered Monday, an indication the market continues to doubt whether these companies will be able to secure financing to plow ahead with expensive projects.

Connacher Oil and Gas Ltd. admitted Monday it has shelved plans to expand capacity at its heavy oil refinery in Great Falls, Mont. It had wanted to jump from processing 9,500 barrels of oil a day to 35,000 barrels.

Protesting First Nations, Enbridge, may have a deal

Protesting First Nations, Enbridge, may have a deal
Friday » October 3 » 2008
The Star Phoenix

SASKATOON - An official for Enbridge Pipelines Inc. is confident that First Nations protests against the company will end later today after the sides reached a tentative agreement.

Foreign workers lured with lies

Foreign workers lured with lies
Wed, October 1, 2008
They or their families may be charged onerous fees back home, then told they have a debt to pay off here
By TAMARA CHERRY, SUN MEDIA

TORONTO -- The stereotype is a young woman forced to work in a brothel, strip club or massage parlour.

But reality cuts across all walks of life.

Nannies. Construction workers. Seasonal farmers.

Six Ways Harper Is Wrecking the Economy

Six Ways Harper Is Wrecking the Economy
Myth of the good manager.
Need evidence? Look south.
By Murray Dobbin
Published: October 2, 2008
The Tyee

It's perhaps understandable that Stephen Harper is far ahead of his rivals when it comes to poll questions about who is the best at competent "economic management." Like George Bush in the U.S., Harper has deliberately framed himself as the "strict father" figure -- in charge, hard-edged, a firm guiding hand when things are increasingly uncertain.

Dion just seems inept, unable to capitalize on the Liberals' mythic record of the 1990s.

Suncor, Nexen and CNRL crashing on the Stock Market

Canada Stocks Fall, Led by Suncor, Bombardier; Manulife Gains
By John Kipphoff

Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Canadian stocks extended their decline, after the biggest monthly drop in a decade, as energy producers and industrial companies fell on concern that the $700 billion U.S. rescue plan for banks won't stave off a recession.

Rail upgrade to Fort McMurray almost complete (CN Rail)

Rail upgrade to Fort McMurray almost complete
David Finlayson, edmontonjournal.com
September 30, 2008

EDMONTON - The $135 million upgrade of the former Athabasca Northern rail line to Fort McMurray is 75 per cent complete and CN has commitments from oilsands customers to ship sulphur and petroleum coke to Asia, executive vice-president Jim Foote said today.

Coming the other way will be construction materials and diluent, a petroleum product used to thin out bitumen so it can to move through pipelines, Foote said.

ATCO Frontec and Fort McKay First Nation Open 500-Room "Oilsands Lodge"

ATCO Frontec and Fort McKay First Nation Open 500-Room Oilsands Lodge North of Fort McMurray
Creeburn Lake Lodge Delivers Sustainable Benefits to Joint Venture Partners

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Oct. 1, 2008) - Partners ATCO Frontec and the Fort McKay First Nation officially opened their 500-room Creeburn Lake Lodge on Wednesday which brings much-needed, high quality accommodation to the Alberta oilsands region 65 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.

Spirit Train Disrupted, Banner Dropped from Train

PM optimistic on Arctic gas [MGP]

PM optimistic on Arctic gas
Reuters
Published: Thursday, August 28, 2008

TUKTOYAKTUK, N.W.T. -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper said yesterday he remains optimistic the $16.2-billion Mackenzie gas project in the Arctic will eventually proceed, despite years of delays.

The proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline, which would carry gas to markets in Canada and the United States from three large fields in the Mackenzie River Delta, has been mired in a lengthy regulatory process while costs have surged.

Harper said the project meant more to Canada than just a "commercial gas project."

Harper's plan may hit tar sands exports to Asia

Harper's plan may hit oil sands exports to Asia
Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:55pm EDT
By Jeffrey Jones

CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - A campaign promise to ban exports of tar-like bitumen from Alberta's oil sands to countries that do not match Canadian efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions could affect shipments to Asia, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Friday.

Enbridge Inc, which operates the main pipeline for Canadian oil exports to the United States, is proposing a new line to Canada's west coast from Alberta to allow oil sands-derived crude to be shipped to Asia.