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VANCOUVER, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - A decision by the federal government to approve the Trans Mountain Expansion Project is disappointing, Canada's largest union in the private sector says, vowing to continue to speak out on the pipeline.
"The evidence on Kinder Morgan has been very clear from the beginning. The expansion provides too much risk to justify going ahead," said Joie Warnock, Unifor Western Regional Director.
Unifor has consistently called for rejection of the project to triple the capacity of the pipeline, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today would go ahead. Unifor supports regulated and sustainable expansion of the oil sands.
Expanding the pipeline would harm the ability to secure domestic energy supplies by favouring exports, said Gavin McGarrigle Unifor British Columbia Area Director. At the same time, he said, the pipeline's path near the Fraser River puts the commercial fishery at risk of a catastrophic spill.
"The risks outweigh the benefits. We need a well-managed petroleum industry that provides good jobs and wealth for our communities," McGarrigle said. "This decision ignores very serious risks posed by this project."
Warnock said Unifor will continue to speak out about the risks involved, and will actively participate in consultations to be held into the project.
"We need to be sure that good jobs and the environment are considered as we move forward," Warnock said.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.
SOURCE Unifor
