Edmonton (February 24, 2019) – The cancellation of the $20-billion Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project, is a major setback for resource development in Canada, according to the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA), whose member companies and workers would have welcomed the opportunity to build the project.
“It’s a major blow to Canadian workers, their employers, First Nations, and investors,” said Paul de Jong, president of the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA). “This is a company that’s clearly been sideswiped by Canada’s failure to stand up for resource projects that matter to Alberta and all Canadians. We are at a crossroads with Canada’s resource economy. Teck’s cancellation culminates a 10-year regulatory process and had the support of all local First Nations. Canada must decide whether the rule of law and fair consultation will prevail, or a radical minority.”
Citing the ongoing debate over climate change policy, Teck Resources Ltd., withdrew its application to move forward with the project. PCA believes that Teck’s CEO Don Lindsay is right that Canada needs a better, more reliable framework for moving resource projects forward.
The project proposed by Teck Resources Ltd., would have created as many as 7,000 jobs during construction, another 2,500 jobs during operation, and billions in tax revenues to all three levels of government.
“Not only has Canada missed out on major jobs and revenue, it’s signalling to investors that this is not the right place for their investment dollars,” added de Jong. “Those opportunities are going to more sophisticated jurisdictions that have the vision and strategic approach to get national resources projects approved and built.”
About the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA)
With offices in BC, Alberta and Ontario, PCA is the voice of progressive unionized employers in Canada’s construction industry. Our member companies are responsible for 40 percent of energy and natural resource construction projects in British Columbia and Alberta and are leaders in infrastructure construction across Canada. PCA member companies employ more than 25,000 skilled construction workers in Canada, represented primarily by CLAC.
For further information, contact: Danna O’Brien, Danna@obriencommunications.ca 416-500-0699