Email to Prime Minister Trudeau
From: Brian Cochrane (IUOE Local 115 Business Manager)
To: ‘justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca’
Subject: Kinder Morgan Pipeline support
On behalf of the IUOE Local 115 membership in British Columbia – we look forward to the Federal Government’s ownership and governance on this project.
It is imperative that as a taxpayer funded initiative – this very controversial work needs to be performed by the best workforce Canada had to offer. A world class project requires a world class workforce.
The project also needs to maximize opportunities for Canadians , communities, aboriginals ,women and future apprentices.
Kinder Morgan had been trying to utilize a non-union workforce for most of its procurement and that strategy will not deliver those results. In fact , it will add labour relations risk attached to a project already plagued with its share of challenges.
Prime Minister, this project needs allies – and you will find a loud voice of support once a Project Labour Agreement is completed with BC Building Trades unions , but this needs to happen now.
I welcome any discussion on how the Operating Engineers can meaningfully engage into this project in order to maximize Canadian benefits – and to deliver on the promise of our Federal Government.
With Best Regards,
Brian Cochrane
Business Manager
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115
Government of Canada Response
From: Prime Minister/Premier Ministre <PM@pm.gc.ca>
Date: June 19, 2018 at 6:07:27 AM PDT
Subject: Office of the Prime Minister / Cabinet du Premier ministre
Dear Mr. Cochrane:
On behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence regarding the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
The Government of Canada firmly believes that the Trans Mountain Expansion Project is in Canada’s national interest. It means thousands of good, well-paying jobs for hard-working Canadians that strengthen and grow the middle class. The Prime Minister noted that this project is made possible because of Canada’s world-leading Oceans Protection Plan, extensive and ongoing consultations with Indigenous communities, strengthened environmental standards, and a rigorous approvals process.
This is a country where it is possible to protect the environment and grow the economy at the same time. The Trans Mountain Expansion Project was approved by both the federal government and the province of British Columbia, following a rigorous process and environmental assessment, and now it needs to be built.
On May 29, 2018, it was announced that the Government of Canada has reached an agreement with Kinder Morgan that will get the Trans Mountain Expansion built, guarantee the summer construction season, and protect up to 15,000 good, well-paying jobs – including 9,000 jobs in British Columbia. In addition, the Government has reached an agreement with Kinder Morgan Inc. to purchase the company’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project and related pipeline and terminal assets for $4.5 billion.
This investment represents a fair price for Canadians and for shareholders of the company. The core assets required to build the Trans Mountain Expansion Project have significant commercial value, and this transaction represents a sound investment opportunity.
Construction can proceed under the agreement reached between Canada and Kinder Morgan. It is not, however, the intention of the Government to be long-term owners of this project. Canada will work with investors to transfer the project and related assets to a new owner – or owners – in a way that ensures the project’s construction and operation will proceed in a manner that protects the public interest.
Thank you for writing.
