Crude Oil Tanker Ban

The Federal Government aims to formalize a crude oil tanker moratorium on British Columbia’s coastline.

As part of the public consultation process, the federal government through the Transport Canada is now inviting Canadian to share their perspectives through written submissions about “…how we can formalize a moratorium to protect our waters and coastlines without losing economic benefits from shipping”. The public engagement process ends September 30, 2016.

If implemented, the crude oil tanker ban on British Columbia’s coastline will severely impede Alberta’s ability to diversify markets for our products and have significant consequences for western access projects, such as the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project.

The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, has been mandated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to improve marine safety on all coasts and to formalize a crude oil tanker ban on British Columbia’s (BC) coastline.  This is part of the federal government’s long-term agenda to identify actions that would support Canada’s marine transportation system and encourage long-term economic growth in a way that does not harm marine or coastal environments.

Transport Canada has created a process to seek Canadians’ views on what should be considered in shaping the potential parameters of a crude oil tanker ban on BC’s coastline. This process, thus far, has included meetings with British Columbia coastal stakeholders and indigenous organizations, leaders and communities.  In late August, the public consultation process was opened to all Canadians to share their views.  Public engagement on the proposed crude oil tanker moratorium will close September 30, 2016.

SCOPE OF THE MORATORIUM:

The types of ships that could be covered by the ban could include any ships constructed or adapted to carry oil in bulk as cargo (e.g. tankers). The definition of a tanker can include a barge when it is carrying large amounts of persistent oil (over 2,000 gross tonnes of oil). It should be noted that barges carrying over 2,000 gross tonnes of persistent oil do call at ports in northern BC for community and industry resupply. In addition, there are large ships that carry significant amounts of bunker fuel in their tanks calling at ports in northern BC. The potential impact on regional communities, ports, industries, and the national economy and its supply chains will be considered.

IMPACT ON ALBERTA COMMUNITIES

• There will be further erosion of our highly skilled work force.  Projects, such as the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project, would keep these people here to maintain and grow Alberta’s skilled labour base.

• Almost 3,000 skilled Alberta tradespeople and workers won’t have the opportunity to work on the three phases of Northern Gateway’s construction.
• These people will live and work in Alberta communities and enhance all Albertans quality of life.
• Northern Gateway will provide 380 long term operational jobs in Alberta.

• The energy industry is critical to Alberta’s municipal tax base.

IMPACT ON ALBERTA

• One of Alberta’s most valuable resources is crude oil, but 99% of all our oil exports go to the United States, now one of our biggest competitors, who purchases our crude oil at deeply discounted prices. 
• The recent dramatic drop in oil prices coupled with the lack of pipeline infrastructure is not only affecting future production, but also jeopardizing existing Canadian oil production.
• Getting a better price for our crude oil means more royalties collected by the Government of Alberta which can be invested in Alberta schools, universities, hospitals and infrastructure. 
• The significant decrease in oil prices has negatively impacted levels of investment and employment.

IMPACT ON NORTHERN GATEWAY

• Northern Gateway will provide significant access to new markets in the Pacific Rim to secure fair market prices for Alberta’s oil. 
• Projects like Northern Gateway can help the federal government ensure that the BC coast is safer for all those who operate there. Northern Gateway will result in increased prevention of incidents through land-based radar to the north coast as well as navigational aids such as new lights, beacons and buoys and approach channels.
• Northern Gateway will significantly increase spill response capacity along its marine shipping routes. This will make British Columbia’s coastline safer for all vessels.
• Northern Gateway will provide a badly needed multi-billion dollar private infrastructure investment in Alberta’s future including spending $1.5 billion in Alberta communities.  The proposed tanker ban will eliminate this badly needed investment in Alberta and Canada’s future prosperity.

ALBERTANS SUPPORT NORTHERN GATEWAY

In June 2016, communities along Northern Gateway’s route expressed their support for Northern Gateway’s extension request by sending letters to the National Energy Board including:

• 20 out of 20 Alberta communities along pipeline route,
• 17 out of 18 First Nations and Métis communities,
• Unanimous support from the Alberta Chamber of Commerce.

PUTTING ALBERTANS BACK TO WORK

• With the current downturn in our economy, Alberta is losing our highly skilled work force.  Northern Gateway will keep these people here to maintain and grow Alberta’s skilled labour base.