Carney's 1 Million-Barrel Pipeline Push May Lift Oil Output, Not Revive Fort McMurray Jobs
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Oct 18
Carney's 1 Million-Barrel Pipeline Push May Lift Oil Output, Not Revive Fort McMurray Jobs
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Oct 18
Summary
A 1 million-barrel-a-day pipeline backed by Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to expand Canada’s oil exports to Asia, but experts say it is unlikely to restore Fort McMurray’s old oil-jobs boom.
Automation and efficiency gains are driving that disconnect: Energy Safety Canada forecasts oil sands employment will fall by 920 jobs, or 4%, by 2035 even as production rises 6%.
C$100 billion in private investment would be needed to fill the line and build the carbon-capture project Carney has tied to federal approval, and industry says many resulting jobs would be temporary construction roles.
Fort McMurray is still far below its peak after the 2015 oil crash and 2016 wildfire; Alberta’s oil and gas sector employs 85,000 fewer people than in 2014, while real disposable income remains 10% lower.
That leaves Carney exposed on both flanks: environmental critics oppose faster approvals, while conservatives and separatist voices may see limited permanent hiring as proof the policy is not delivering enough economic benefit.