The recent federal government decision to greenlight the Enbridge Northern Gateway project is a failure by our government no matter which side you stand on regarding this project. We have all heard the left wing environmental argument against a heavy oil pipeline and tankers on our coast. But one argument that is not being made by those in favour of the project (the 'Yes to Jobs' crowd) is that Northern Gateway will send thousands of construction and full time jobs overseas, most likely to China.
By building a refinery here in Canada to process the 500,000 barrels per day of diluted bitumen flowing through the pipeline we could create an additional 5,000 construction jobs and 1,000 full time jobs. It would be the largest refinery in Canada and would increase government revenues while at the same time create a product that would float or evaporate when spilled, not sink. It would avoid the requirement to pipe diluent to our coast, a nasty chemical that is more environmentally hazardous than bitumen when spilled. It would be a win-win for environmentalists, government and the working middle class alike.
Sadly instead, these jobs will go overseas and not to thousands of Canadians. Why? Because the oil companies who will own Northern Gateway, the majority of which are foreign owned, will make larger profit margins by refining overseas.
Dave Gerein
Prince George
