Montreal East, May 29, 2013 ‒ A large group of business and union organizations have come together today to officially launch the Coalition in support of the Line 9 reversal project, a project that will safely allow Quebec to become less dependent on oil from Africa, the Middle East and Europe while maintaining nearly 2,000 jobs in the petrochemical refining industry in Quebec.
“Quebec must take advantage of this promising project as well as help save our two remaining refineries by creating and maintaining 2,000 high-paying, direct and indirect jobs. It will also alleviate our trade deficit given the onerous $15 billion tab we are currently paying for the import of offshore oil from North Africa and the Middle East. In addition, Quebec’s petrochemical industry, which has been hit hard in recent years, would benefit from a major boost. Not only Montreal East and Levis would reap the economic benefits, but Quebec as a whole,” stated Françoise Bertrand, President and CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec.
“Nearly 70% of Quebec’s chemical and petrochemical industry is based in Montreal’s metropolitan area. This rich ecosystem has enabled the development of leading-edge expertise in the area, particularly thanks to higher education institutions. In addition, benefitting from a more affordable source of crude oil will promote the competitiveness of our petrochemical companies. The reversal project is a unique opportunity to consolidate and develop the business sector in the metropolitan region of Montreal,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
“A significant part of our industrial sector depends on oil supply. Eastern Montreal has traditionally been host to an innovative petrochemical industry at the forefront of technology. This industry generates thousands of jobs and the retention of these companies is vital. Reversing Line 9 represents an investment in the future of our territory and the families who live and work here. It is for these reasons that we are proud to lend our support to the Coalition in support of the Line 9 project,” said Isabelle Foisy, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Montreal.
“The Line 9 reversal project is important for the economic development of Montreal East because it will ensure the viability of Quebec's petrochemical industry, its polyester supply chain, and a more competitive source of supply. This job creating and maintaining project will also benefit the communities that are part of this critical Montreal-based industry,” added André Brunelle, President of the Association industrielle de l’est de Montréal.
“The reversal of Line 9 is precisely the kind of economic project that will contribute to Quebec’s industrial renewal and provide the manufacturing sector with a boost in investments and exports. The petrochemical industry is highly strategic because it involves a large number of inter-related sectors and provides us with an advantage we can’t live without,” said Simon Prevost, President of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters of Quebec.
Lower-cost crude and economic benefits for all of Québec
Thanks to Enbridge’s project, Quebec’s refining and petrochemical industry will be able to depend on a reliable source of supply at a lower cost.
“Any increase in Quebec’s economic activity in the Montreal region contributes to Québec’s economic growth as a whole. More than ever, we need promising development projects such as this Enbridge’s that create and maintain quality jobs, bring significant tax benefits and generate sustainable prosperity to improve the quality of life of all Quebecers,” said the president of the Quebec Employers Council, Yves-Thomas Dorval.
“Ultramar’s Jean Gaulin refinery in Lévis is among the most technologically advanced refineries in North America. Access to the Alberta oil will allow it to remain competitive, to consolidate its position, and at the same time, the thousands of jobs and significant economic benefits it generates for our region,” added Jérôme Gaudreault, Executive Director of the Chambre de Commerce de Lévis.
Hard hit in recent years, these refining and petrochemical activities will benefit from greater stability to the benefit of Quebec’s economy as a whole, as it will improve our economy’s productivity.
A project that respects the principles of responsible, sustainable development
Protecting the environment is a priority for the Coalition. The Enbridge project intends to promote sustainable development and takes into account economic, environmental and social considerations.
This project will reduce the dependence of Quebec’s refiners on more higher-cost, foreign offshore oil while preserving security of supply for Quebec’s domestic energy market. In addition, the project will not generate additional environmental impacts for Quebec, but will generate significant socio-economic benefits, especially in the regions of Montreal and Quebec City.
“In accordance with the highest environmental standards, this is a project that we can’t afford to live without. It will preserve and create jobs as well as create wealth for decades to come. For these reasons, CEP Local 163, 175, 194 and 2005 support today’s initiative and the proposed reversal of Line 9,” added Daniel Cloutier, National Representative for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.
Protecting pipeline integrity – an absolute priority
Pipeline operators are absolutely committed to the safety and integrity of pipelines to ensure the protection of the public and the environment.
Protecting pipeline integrity is a priority at each step of the process for the construction of a pipeline. This absolute priority includes three key aspects: pipeline integrity, to ensure that the pipeline runs smoothly, damage prevention, to prevent damages to the pipeline caused by construction or excavations, and emergency measures to minimise the impact of an incident. Between 2002 and 2011, CEPA member companies were able to transport oil and natural gas with a 99.999% safety record. Source: www.cepa.com
About Enbridge’s Line 9 reversal project
Enbridge’s project to reverse the flow in Line 9, which runs between Sarnia, Ontario, and Montreal, is in response to requests from customers in both provinces. The project will also increase the current capacity from 240,000 to 300,000 barrels per day, and carry oil and other petroleum products primarily from Western Canada, a supply that is more secure and less costly than that currently brought in by ship from the North Sea, West Africa and the Middle East. The reversal and the increased capacity will not necessitate the addition of a new pipeline. All work to install pumps and other material and equipment will be done on existing Enbridge rights-of-way and properties, with the exception of a few temporary workspaces.
About the Coalition in support of the Line 9 reversal project
Members of the Coalition in support of the Line 9 reversal project include: Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, Quebec Employers Council, Chambre de commerce de l’est de Montréal, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, Chambre de Commerce de Lévis, l’Association industrielle de l’Est de Montréal, Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters, and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Local 163, 175, 194 and 2005. Together, they support Enbridge’s Line 9 reversal project and say YES: to the economic prosperity of Quebec; to the thousands of Quebec jobs that depend on it, and to the safest transportation mode for petroleum.
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Information :
Dimitri Tsingakis
Executive Director
Association Industrielle de l'Est de Montréal (AIEM)
dimitri@aiem.qc.ca
Tel: (514) 654-8111
Isabelle Foisy
Executive Director
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Montreal
ifoisy@ccemontreal.ca
Tel: 514 354-5378, ext. 225
Jérôme Gaudreault
Executive Director Chambre de commerce de Lévis
Téléphone : 418-837-3411 ext. 226
Cell: 418-261-3656
Sylvie Paquette
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel : 514 871-4000, ext. 4015
spaquette@ccmm.qc.ca
Patrick Lemieux
Senior Advisor – Communications
Quebec Employers Council
Cell: 438 886 9804
Camilla Sironi
Communications Advisor
Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec
Tel : 514 844-9571 ext. 3227
Cell: 514 647-4745
camilla.sironi@fccq.ca
Kareen Pate,
Advisor, Public Affairs
Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters
Tel: 514-866-7774, ext. 2125
Cell: 514-806-4621 /
kareen.pate@meq.ca
Daniel Cloutier
National Representative
Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
(514) 891-3289
dcloutier@scep.ca