The near-completion of two large industrial projects in the Edmonton region is both a positive and a negative. For some, it is the beginning of improvements, but for others, it is the beginning of unemployment.
Approximately 6,000 construction workers are completing Shell’s Scotford expansion project and about 5,500 of those workers are transported by Diversified Transport’s 100-plus buses. With the project slated to be completed by August, construction workers, bus drivers and support staff alike may find themselves out of a job.
Next year, Capital Power/TransAlta Keephills will also be completing its three power plant project, furthering the spread of unemployment.
On October 19, 2009, the Department of Energy’s Bitumen Royalty in Kind (BRIK) program issued a request for proposals, stating that the firm or firms in negotiation with Alberta would be decided on May 31, 2010.
Calgary company NorthWest and partner of Canadian Natural Resources has proposed a $4 billion upgrader and refinery near Redwater. The project would need workers in the three phases it has planned.
Other potentials include Imperial’s bitumen mine job north of Fort McMurray and unnamed firms looking to capitalize on all or some of the 75,000 bpd of bitumen royalties Alberta will accept in 2014.
While the potential projects would boost employment, the NorthWest project won’t begin until 2012 and a proposed upgrader project by Total won’t begin for another three years—if approved.
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