The Line 9 reversal project will generate important economic benefits for Quebec and its petrochemical industry

MONTREAL-EAST, QC, Sept. 10, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Following the publication of a study by the Institute for Research and Socio-Economic Information (IRIS) on the reversal of Line 9, André Brunelle, chairman of the board of the Association industrielle de l'Est de Montreal (AIEM - Industrial Association for the East of Montreal), reiterated his support for the Enbridge Line 9 reversal project. This developmental project for the east-end of Montreal and for Quebec will generate positive benefits for Quebec's petrochemical industry by ensuring the supply of Canadian oil for Montreal East's and Levis' refineries.

"The Line 9 reversal project will absolutely generate economic benefits for our petrochemical industry and for Quebec as a whole," stated Brunelle. "While Quebec's petrochemical industry may benefit from top Quebec talent and from state-of-the art technology, its ability to succeed is slim without access to competitive raw materials."

This project, which will in fact return the flow of Line 9 to its original direction between Sarnia and Montreal, will provide Quebec with access to western Canadian crude oil, which will enable its refineries to remain competitive in a highly competitive global refining market.

In addition to providing greater energy security for Quebecers, crude oil from western Canada can be procured at a lower cost than foreign crude which is currently supplying Quebec's refining and petrochemical industry. The latter will hence be more competitive.

The AIEM shares the concerns of Quebecers when it comes to protecting the environment and has chosen to bring together economic development with sustainable development. By creating an ecosystem in which the transformed material of one company becomes the raw material of another, the AIEM has developed a chain of supply committed to minimizing the impact of its operations while remaining competitive. In this way, supplying itself locally becomes the responsible choice and one synonymous with the development of the community as a whole.

"A recent study has showed that more than 4,000 jobs depend on the refining and petrochemical industry in Quebec," added Mr. Brunelle. "To say that this project will not be beneficial for Quebec is to turn our backs on these thousands of workers who are the very pride of Quebec," concluded Mr. Brunelle.

About the AIEM

Established in 1960, with an emphasis on protecting the environment, the AIEM now focusses on the harmonization of industrial activities with its urban environment. Its mandate is to offer members a forum for concerted actions, as well as services and advice tailored to their needs for continuous improvement in a continuously evolving urban setting. Its scope of action and priorities are directly related to: sustainable development, risk management of major industrial accidents and collaborations with public services as well as the local community.

SOURCE: Association Industrielle de l'Est de Montréal (AIEM)

Dimitri Tsingakis
General Manager
Association Industrielle de l'Est de Montréal (AIEM)
Tel. : [phone]
[email protected]