Oil Sands Truth: Shut Down the Tar Sands

Labour / Migration

It is falsely assumed that big projects equal lots of jobs and, by extension, labour peace if not outright satisfaction. The size and scope of the tarsands means for incredibly dangerous work conditions-- some fatalities at the plants have already occurred. The products seldom get their "value added" in union-run locations, instead the heavy bitumen can be shipped to many different locations across North America for refining, denying benefits to the union. However, the Union does not represent the "guest worker", now being imported in increasing numbers as legislation is changed to make access easier, the term of exploitation last longer, without any new efforts or pathways to deciding to stay after helping tear up the earth.

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S Dakota: "Some Canadians protest oil pipeline"

Some Canadians protest oil pipeline
They don't want to give up refinery jobs
By Peter Harriman
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070811/NEWS/7081...
August 11, 2007

In South Dakota, Trans-Canada's Keystone pipeline project is drawing attention for its potential effect on landowners.

But in Alberta, Canada, where the pipeline will draw its proposed 500,000 barrels per day from northern oil sands, people see South Dakota and other states benefitting from their country's labor drain.

More Mexican Workers Headed for Albertan Tar Pits, Elsewhere

Canada looks to Mexico for more workers
JENNIFER DITCHBURN
Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070816.wCanadamexio...
August 16, 2007 at 4:56 PM EDT

OTTAWA — While the United States Congress turns up its nose at immigration reform, Canada is poised to start negotiations that would bring even more Mexican workers into this country.

An agreement to strike a commission into increased labour mobility is expected to be among the key accomplishments connected with next week's summit of North American leaders in Montebello, Que.

CEP takes on bitumen exports

CEP takes on bitumen exports
By CAROL CHRISTIAN
Today staff
Thursday August 09, 2007
http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/Local%20News/329822.html

Fearing Canadian jobs going down proposed pipelines to the U.S., the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP) will intervene in upcoming regulatory hearings.
At the heart of the matter is the union’s intent to protect Canadian jobs, fostering development of the Canadian economy instead of watching all the benefits go south of the border, officials say.

Booms Housing Crisis Leading Women into Survival Sex Trade

Housing woes lead to sex trade: advocate
June 18, 2007
http://www.sextradeworkersofcanada.com/sex%20trade/News/detail.asp?iData...
By CARTER HAYDU , SPECIAL TO SUN MEDIA

Mary Jane St. Savard checks Marvin Ross's hair at their tent behind the Bissell Centre on 96st and 105 ave. A large group of people have set up tents on the empty field after police and park rangers moved them off various other locations.

Skyrocketing rents are forcing some women into the "survival sex trade," warns one advocate for prostitutes.

Tar Sand Workers Cruising down to Edmonton?

Ft. Mac workers cruising in city?
CP - 5/31/2006
By FRANK LANDRY, CITY HALL BUREAU
http://www.sextradeworkersofcanada.com/sex%20trade/News/detail.asp?iData...

The head of a city group that targets johns says oilsands workers making big bucks "working in the bush" are regularly cruising down to Edmonton and buying sex.

Kate Quinn, executive director of the Prostitution Awareness and Action Foundation of Edmonton (PAAFE), said her group will approach oil companies about going into Fort McMurray to talk to employees about the harms of prostitution.

Ricardo Acuna on Non-Consensus in the Tar Sands Multi-Stakeholder Committee

http://www.straightgoods.ca/ViewFeature7.cfm?REF=410

Oil Sands Committee reports back

It is time for the Stelmach government to pick a side: public or industry.

Dateline: Tuesday, August 07, 2007

by Ricardo Acuna

Last week, the Alberta Government released the much anticipated final report and recommendations of the Oil Sands Multi-Stakeholder Committee — the committee charged with carrying out a broad-based consultation with Albertans and making recommendations on the future of the Alberta tar sands.

Terrace Standard Hacking up Dogwood Initiative, NDP-- Promoting oil and gas in Douglas Channel

As always, the good news is that when such hate comes at you, it is part of a larger concern that the politics being brought forth by critics are harming "business as usual". As such, people concerned about traditional lands from Edmonton to Kitamaat Village and up and down the Inside Pasage of BC should take note, and perhaps a pat on the back. Fear them only when they ignore you.

--M

This MP should stay far away
By ROGER HARRIS
http://www.terracestandard.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=33&cat=48&id=...
Aug 08 2007

Northern Saskatchewan Nation Blockades Tar Sands, Talking to Oilsands Quest

First Nation talking to province about oilsands
Last Updated: Thursday, August 2, 2007 | 10:40 AM CT
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2007/08/02/oilsands.html

The chief of a western Saskatchewan First Nation that blocked a road used by an oil exploration company said he's not concerned the company has moved some of its operations to Alberta.

In June, the Clearwater First Nation blocked Highway 955 north of La Loche, a route used by the Calgary-based Oilsands Quest in its search for oilsands.

Homelessness in Fort McMurray

Image being addressed
http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/Local%20News/328436.html

By MATTHEW HEINDL
Today staff
Friday August 03, 2007

The need for a homeless shelter for youth was broached at a homeless strategy session in Fort McMurray Thursday, but it wasn’t adopted as one of the areas identified as immediate priorities.

The World's Most Expensive Babysitters

The World's Most Expensive Babysitters
By Tom Dyson
August 6, 2007
http://www.dailywealth.com/archive/2007/aug/2007_aug_06.asp

Today, I heard the story of Angela.

Angela is 17 years old. Recently, she was offered $3,500 per month to babysit three children for a few hours after school each day while the parents work late. Two of the children are grown up. The third is a toddler. The toddler sleeps. The other two children take care of themselves. Angela watches TV, does her homework, then goes home. That's it.