Enbridge lines up union support for Northern Gateway pipeline
Enbridge has gone a long way to ensure labour peace for its controversial Northern Gateway pipeline even as residents of Kitimat — the proposed oil pipeline’s western terminus — expressed their opposition to the $6.5-billion project.
Northern Gateway leader Janet Holder told The Province that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada and four large unions with 2.5 million members means good jobs, good paycheques and training opportunities.
“This is a major development and a major step forward,” said Holder. “These unions have been working for generations in the pipeline industry.
“The environment is a priority, the safety of workers and the public is a priority, and they will not be sacrificed for the sake of monetary gain.
“This MOU enables Northern Gateway, PLCAC Contractors and the Building Trade Unions to collaboratively plan for project success through the full benefit of their skills, professionalism and commitment to build stronger communities — goals we share.”
In an announcement set for Tuesday, the agreement calls for 2,100 person-years of union employment during the three-year construction phase for members of the Laborers’ International Union of North America; the International Union of Operating Engineers; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
“It’s one of the biggest projects in Canadian history,” said Lionel Railton, acting Canadian regional director of the International Union of Operating Engineers. “At the end of the day, we’re looking for employment opportunities for our members. I, like our members, believe this can be done in an environmentally sound way.”
Railton told The Province he realizes there are environmental concerns.
“Pipelines spiderweb our country, and spiderweb North America,” he said. “At least 95 per cent of them serve the public for decades without an issue.
“This one has some particular sensitivities. If those sensitivities are reviewed and they are out of the way, our workers will look forward to working on this project.”
The pipeline proposal has been hotly debated and discussed by governments at the federal, provincial and municipal levels as environmental concerns and First Nations challenges are weighed against the huge potential economic spinoffs.
“Northern Gateway has been through the most rigorous environmental review of its kind in Canadian history and it will create thousands of good jobs,” said Roy Finley, construction director for the Teamsters Canada, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the four unions signing up.
“The MOU we’ve signed builds on that review and our shared objective to construct this project with the best workforce in the world.”
In a referendum last weekend, the people of Kitimat — westernmost point in the proposed pipeline — voted 58 per cent against the proposal.
Council voted unanimously on Monday night to send a letter to the federal cabinet explaining the plebiscite results, urging that they be taken into consideration.
The motion, put forward by Coun. Mario Feldhoff and seconded by Coun. Mary Murphy, also stipulated that a letter be sent to the provincial government.
And Coun. Phil Germuth gave notice that he’ll introduce a motion at the April 22 meeting that council join the neighbouring Haisla Nation in opposing the Northern Gateway project.
“The public gallery was full ... probably about 30 people in attendance, excluding the media,” Tylor Noble, business and communications officer, said in an email after the council meeting ended.
While non-binding, the referendum gauged public attitudes toward the pipeline at the community that will be most substantially affected should the pipeline be built.
As the western terminus of the pipeline, Kitimat is the site of a proposed two-berth marine terminal and tank farm to store the thick crude before it’s loaded on to tankers for shipment to Asia.
The $6.5-billion project would see two pipelines, one carrying oilsands bitumen from Alberta to Kitimat’s port, and a second carrying condensate — a form of natural gas used to dilute the bitumen — from Kitimat back to Alberta.
In December a federal joint review panel recommended that the federal government approve Northern Gateway with 209 conditions.
Ottawa is expected to rule for or against the line in the coming months, but First Nations court challenges could pose the most daunting test of whether the pipeline over the Rocky Mountains is eventually built.
Holder said 15 per cent of the proposed project’s jobs have been designated for aboriginals, and aboriginals will also have 10-per-cent ownership of the pipeline.
“Our union contractors and members know how to build pipelines to the highest safety and environmental standards anywhere in the world,” said Rob Kinsey, of the plumbers and pipefitters union.
“We get the job done, we get the job done right, and have been doing it for generations.
“And just as importantly, we create a lasting economic, social and environmental legacy for communities and children to build on.”
Many British Columbians oppose the pipeline. Two recent polls, commissioned by opposite sides of the debate, received different results.
A poll from the pipeline-friendly B.C. Chamber of Commerce found residents split over the proposal, while a poll from pipeline-opposing environmentalists found that two-thirds opposed the proposal.
As well as public opinion, the sheer economic scope of such a project is expected to play a large part in the decision on whether to proceed.
“Northern Gateway is in Canada’s national interest, securing our energy future and our economy for generations to come,” said Greg Harris, sub-regional manager for the Laborers’ International Union of North America.
“Opening up new markets for our most valuable commodity will provide additional resources to invest in vital social programs, like health and education, that make our country strong.”
The promise of potential pipeline jobs is encouraging for Elias Vikner, a BCIT welding student who’s nearing graduation.
“It’s a different job experience,” said Vikner, 24, who recently won a provincewide welding competition and comes from a long line of welders — his father, grandfather and two uncles all carried a torch.
“There’s quite a lot of work.
“It’s a very good chance to make some money. Everybody wants to buy a house.”