Build Canada’s energy sector
Surcharges on energy exports to the U.S. are not enough.
Canada must expand our capacity for west-east shipment of Canadian oil, gas and chemical products by rail and build Canadian-made tanker cars immediately.
Here’s why:
Canada must be able to move raw materials using west-east rail to supply Canadian refineries and secure the supply chains of our value added chemical and plastic industries, support diesel and petrol production, and provide internal markets for biofuel production.
There is limited capacity to move oil, gas, and chemical product via pipeline between provinces in Canada so we must depend on rail. Unlike current pipelines, oil by rail does not go through the U.S.
Canada controls the process from start to finish. Unifor members inspect and maintain rail cars in Canada for both CN and CPKC. Rail cars can be made in Canada and are made by the rail companies themselves.
Rail transport of oil, of course, must be safe. That is a precondition of any work Canada undertakes. We know oil transportation by rail presents a lower risk of leaks when there are incidents (e.g. derailment), as compared to pipeline incidents over time.
Alongside this immediate need, Canada must still develop new energy infrastructure and west-east electricity systems.
