Northern Gateway is the right decision for Canada

Trade unions declare support for federal government approval of Northern Gateway pipeline

VANCOUVER, June 17, 2014 /CNW/ - As proud partners and members of Canada's trade unions which represent more than 300,000 members across Canada and having been building pipelines for more than 60 years, we applaud the federal government's approval of the Northern Gateway Project.

"As proud trade union members, we support the federal government's approval of Northern Gateway. It is the right decision and will benefit working families by creating thousands of well-paying jobs and training opportunities we need to build strong communities," said Lionel Railton, acting Canadian Regional Director, International Union of Operating Engineers.

 "Today's federal approval of the Northern Gateway is based on the most-rigorous review of its kind in Canadian history," said Roy Finley, Construction Director, Teamsters Canada, International Brotherhood of Teamsters. 

"Our Union Contractors and members have built a majority of Canada's national pipelines over the last 60 years to the highest safety and environmental standards anywhere in the world," said Rob Kinsey, United Association International Representative for Western Canada and Mainline/Maintenance Pipeline for Canada, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada. "We get the job done. We get the job done right, while creating a lasting economic, social and environmental legacy for our communities and children to build on."

 "Northern Gateway is critical to Canada's prosperity by securing our energy future and our economy for generations to come," said Greg Harris, Sub-Regional Manager, Labourers' 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 makes our communities and country strong."

"The federal government's decision lays out a positive path forward that will protect our environment and build the vital economic infrastructure we need to create family-supporting jobs that are the foundation of strong communities, strong provinces and a strong Canada," said Neil Lane, Executive Director of the Pipeline Contractors Association of Canada.

SOURCE:

• Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada
• Labourers' International Union of North America
• International Union of Operating Engineers
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters
• United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada

SOURCE: Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada

International Union of Operating Engineers: Lionel Railton, [email protected], 604-308-1678; International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Roy Finley, [email protected], 403-660-2927; Labourers' International Union of North America: Greg Harris, [email protected], 604-951-8877; United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada: Rob Kinsey, [email protected], [phone]; Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada, Neil Lane, [email protected], 905-847-9383