Will the Oil Sands Be Used To Build a Brighter Future?

Or will we simply ship jobs and opportunities "down the pipeline"

Alberta is in the midst of a profound economic transformation. We're quickly moving from an economy built around the exploitation of conventional oil and gas to an economy built around the development and exploitation of a decidedly unconventional energy source: the oil sands.With this transformation come many important questions.

For example, can we develop the oil sands in a way that doesn't place unacceptable burdens on our communities and our people? Can we find a balance between development and the need to protect and respect the environment? And can we find a way to ensure that Albertans get the most out of the oil sands in terms of both royalties and short- and long-term jobs?

We at the Alberta Federation of Labour are committed to advocating for an approach to developing the oil sands that puts the interests of workers, families and communities first. That means setting a more responsible and sustainable pace for development. It means "greening" the oil sands. And it means taking steps to stop sending high-quality jobs "down the pipeline" to refineries in the United States.

You can help by reading our materials and learning more about what's really happening in the oil sands - and what's at stake for ordinary Albertans.

You can also help by supporting our latest campaign to keep oil sands jobs and opportunities in Alberta. Please read our report, "Lost Down the Pipeline," and add your name to our on-line petition calling for a new approach to oil sands development - and approach which puts the Alberta public (as opposed to the big oil companies) in the driver's seat.

Latest Report

Lost Down the Pipeline (March 2009):

In these difficult economic times is the Alberta government doing enough to keep value-added oil-sands jobs in Canada? Based on the findings of this report, the answer is clearly "no." But there is still hope. Read this report, and find out how we can turn the tide and keep oil-sands jobs in the province by re-learning some of the lessons of the Lougheed era.

Lost Down the Pipeline: Executive Summary

Lost Down the Pipeline: News Release and Backgrounder (March 24, 2009)

Lost Down the Pipeline press conference

What can you do?

Sign the AFL's on-line petition calling for a more aggressive strategy to stop oil-sands jobs from being "shipped down the pipeline."

Previous Reports and Presentations

• Black Gold, Clear Vision (April 2008): During the last provincial election, the Alberta Federation of Labour attempted to engage the parties in a discussion about the future of the oil sands. Black Gold, Clear Vision presents a proposed policy framework for dealing with the oil sands which was relevant then - and is even more urgently needed today.
• Presentation to Multi-Stakeholder Committee on Oil Sands, Calgary (April 24, 2007): The Alberta Federation of Labour has been making the case for an approach to oil sands development that puts ordinary people at the centre of the equation for years. Read the other presentation that AFL president gave to the government's Multi-Stakeholder Committee on the oil sands [Presentation to Oil Sands Development Hearings, Calgary (September 27, 2006)] to see what we've been saying.
• Presentation to Alberta Royalty Review Panel, Calgary (May 23, 2007): The AFL joined other organizations and individuals in making presentations the provincial government's Blue Ribbon Royalty Review Panel. Collectively, we were successful in convincing the panel that Albertans were not getting their fair share. Unfortunately, the Alberta government lost its nerve and failed to implement the kind of progressive royalty structure Alberta needs. See what the AFL had to say at the hearings.

Pipeline Hearings

Over the past two years, two major pipeline companies have applied to the National Energy Board (NEB) for approval to build massive bitumen pipelines designed to transport raw bitumen from the Alberta oil sands to refineries in the American Mid-West. Both pipelines - TransCanada's Keystone and Enbridge's Alberta Clipper - were eventually approved. The Alberta government had a chance to speak out at the hearings to raise concerns about the pipelines and their potential impact on Alberta jobs - they didn't even bother to attend. But the Alberta Federation of Labour was there, labelling the pipelines as "bitumen super-highways" that would suck jobs out of the province. Have a look at some of our presentations to the NEB.

• National Energy Board, Hearing Order 0H-1-2007, TransCanada Keystone Pipeline GP Ltd. - Application for Construction and Operation of Keystone Pipeline: Written evidence of the Alberta Federation of Labour
• National Energy Board Hearing 0H-1-2007, TransCanada Keystone Pipeline GP Ltd.: Opening Statement by Alberta Federation of Labour President, Gil McGowan

Brochures

• Down the Pipeline

Press Releases

• New BRIK program too small to turn the tide of raw bitumen being sent south of the border for refining, says AFL (July 22, 2009)
• With no commitment to Alberta-based refining, Kearl should not be seen as economic saviour (May 26, 2009)
• Report shows Tories have "waived the white flag of surrender" in battle to keep Alberta oil sands jobs from being shipped down the pipeline (February 12, 2009)
• Labour leader urges voter to "choose hope over fear" when it comes to the oil sands (February 29, 2008)
• Ed Stelmach's refusal to act on the key issues of exporting bitumen and slowing the pace of development in the oil sands proves Tories have no real plan for managing the engine of Alberta's economy (February 26, 2008)
• Pipeline approval highlights need for clear plan to keep oil sands jobs in Alberta, says AFL (February 20, 2008)
• Alberta Clipper pipeline will create only two permanent jobs in Alberta - versus the thousands that will be created in US as they refine Alberta oilsands (November 6, 2007)
• Stop Building "Bitumen Highways to the U.S." until Alberta Has Developed a Clear Plan to Keep Value-Added Jobs Here, Urges AFL (November 5, 2007) 
• Federation organizes royalty rally in Ft. McMurray so workers in Alberta's oil sands heartland can speak for themselves (October 16, 2007)
• Implementation of full royalty report even more pressing in light of today's NEB decision to approve "bitumen" highway to U.S., says union leader (September 20, 2007)
• Labour leader urges NEB to stop energy companies from "sending Alberta jobs down the pipeline" (June 7, 2007)
• National Energy Board rules against labour motion to subpoena witnesses from Big Oil (June 5, 2007)
• Public hearings begin today at National Energy Board on proposal to build "mega-pipeline" to move unrefined oilsands from Alberta to refineries in U.S. (June 4, 2007)
• Alberta Government Should Consider Taking Equity Position in Oil Sands Projects, AFL Tells Royalty Panel (May 23, 2007)
• Government warned to control development (April 24, 2007)
• Labour wants Keystone pipeline put on hold (April 16, 2007)

Press Clippings

• "Industry Says Implementation of Oilsands Strategy will be Key (Daily Oil Bulletin, February 13, 2009)
• "Oil sands layoffs coming down pipeline; The impact of reduced capital spending budgets is beginning to make itself felt in service providers (Globe and Mail, January 23, 2009)
• "NAFTA bumps into Alberta's upgrader plans; Trade deal would prohibit the province from reducing the flow of bitumen to the United States once it starts" (Edmonton Journal, June 7, 2008)
• "Oilsands pipelines to be the US blasted (Fort McMurray Today, May 14, 2008)
• "Alberta could open gas stations in U.S., report says (Edmonton Journal, March 3, 2008)
• "It's Big Oil 'over the barrel' in bargaining (Calgary Herald, October 24, 2007)
• "Keystone pipeline capacity raised by 35%; Expansion driven by new contracts (Calgary Herald, July 4, 2007)
• "Alta. too hands-off on energy approvals" (Edmonton Journal, June 12, 2007)
• "A sobering message" (Edmonton Sun, June 1, 2007)
• "Changes to royalty regime could threaten viability of natural gas; Industry appeals for status quo as it struggles with exploding costs (Edmonton Journal, May 24, 2007)
• "Oilsands pipeline to U.S. a job killer: labour groups; Study says 18,000 jobs in the balance (Calgary Herald, April 17, 2007)
• "Take notice, Ed; Fruits of Alberta boom could be pipelined away (Edmonton Sun, February 11, 2007)
• "Labour spokesman wants premier to live up to promises (Lethbridge Herald, February 9, 2007)
• "Raise oilsands royalties: Pembina: Low rates put 'economy on steroids' (Calgary Herald, September 28, 2006)
• "It's not racism, it's union-busting" (Calgary Herald, May 7, 2006)

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