Pipeline support rally held in White City on Monday
CBC News | Posted: November 1, 2016 4:01 AM | Last Updated: November 1, 2016
Up to 1000 jobs could be lost next summer if no major pipelines approved in area, says USW 5890 representative
Supporters of pipelines and energy projects gathered in White City on Monday.
Andrew Scheer, MP and Conservative Party of Canada leadership-hopeful, and Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan Party MLA and minister of the economy were present at the rally as well.
Job loss
Courtland Klein, recording secretary for the United Steelworkers 5890, said up to 1000 jobs could be lost in Regina by mid-2017 if a major pipeline project in the area isn't approved.
"Currently, we're working on the L3R line replacement that's going to run right through here in White City," Klein said.
After that project is finished, they have no other work lined up.
Klein said one of the Energy East, Trans Mountain or Northern Gateway projects needs approval.
"We're all going to be out of a job next summer if one of these major pipelines don't get approved," Klein said.
"We're just trying to spread the message that the pipeline industry affects us right here in Regina. We are a large economic driver here in Regina," he added.
Replacing pipe environmentally sound
Klein said pipeline workers aren't against the environmental movement. He said the L3R line will go through and it will have its protestors.
"They're going to be protesting pipelines and pipeline spills and all that, and that's the whole idea [behind] Enbridge's L3R line replacement," Klein said. "It's obviously reaching an expiry date and it's time to put a new pipe — thicker pipe — into the ground to move the product forward."
When there is news of an environmental disaster such as the Husky oil spill, Klein said there is no one more nervous than him.
"We know we're going to get egg on our face and it's going to cost us our jobs if we don't start replacing some of these pipelines," Klein said.
Klein said steel produced here in Regina has a lower carbon footprint than steel produced in China and Japan by up to 79 per cent. The whole process of shipping it from China to Canada, then shipping it to the prairies and then putting it into the ground means the carbon footprint is lower by manufacturing it here, he said.
"We're recycling one million tonnes of steel every year. That's steel that's not going into landfills, we're keeping out of waterways, out of farm yards, and we're bringing it up here in Regina and we're going to manufacture a better product."
Views from the 306
Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan Party MLA, said the provincial government is working to support the energy sector in the province.
"The energy sector is an incredibly important part of the economy," Harrison said.
The government is going to continue to support energy projects and the energy sector, as well as advocate for pipelines as the safest and most practical way to move energy, Harrison said.
When asked about the proposed carbon tax by the federal government, Harrison reiterated what Premier Brad Wall had been saying since it was first mentioned by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
"We've been very clear as a government that we think this is precisely the wrong time to be moving forward with a massive new carbon tax that's going to hit everybody," Harrison said.
The impact the carbon tax would have on Saskatchewan would be disproportionate to the rest of the provinces, he said.
"We're interested in practical results, practical ways of reducing emissions, not imposing huge, new taxes."
More humane energy
Conservative MP Andrew Scheer said it was important for him to be there to show his support for the people involved in the energy sector.
He also thanked the media for covering the rally, adding it may not be "as good optics" as violent clashes and force by illegal protests, but it's still meaningful.
"I think we see, when these projects go through rigorous examinations and are held up to the highest levels of environmental standards and safety standards, and when they are approved we see a small number of very active, very motivated group of people across the country that break the law in many cases and try to block — illegally — the construction and implementation of these projects and we can't allow that to happen," Scheer said.
Scheer said energy consumers will also benefit from the use of Western Canadian energy products instead of imports.
"I don't imagine the other countries, where we buy oil for Eastern Canada, that they have the same rigorous labour laws, the same rigorous environmental laws, the same record of human rights. So, for consumers of energy it will be a better price and also better for us to support sectors that have those types of standards."
Scheer said he would like to see more pro-energy voices at energy demonstrations.
"I would like to see the side of the story that represents Canadians that support the sector told," he said.
"The danger is it's easy to pay attention to a very visible, active, well-funded group of people across the country than the thousands and thousands of people that very quietly earn their living making a safe, high-quality project to transport energy."