Alberta
Tens of thousands of jobs set after Keystone XL makes deal with U.S. Unions

From TC Energy
Keystone XL Announces Project Labor Agreement with Four U.S. Unions
Creates Multi-Million Dollar Training Program for Renewable Energy Sector
TC Energy Corporation (TSX, NYSE: TRP) (TC Energy) announced today that Keystone XL has reached a project labor agreement (PLA) with four leading U.S. labor unions that will inject hundreds of millions of dollars in middle-class wages into the American economy, while ensuring this pipeline will be built by the highest-skilled and highest-trained workforce.
TC Energy is also working with labor to establish a unique Green Jobs Training Program to help union members acquire the specific skills needed to work in the developing renewable energy sector. The company will contribute approximately $10 million, recognizing the 10 million-plus hours anticipated to be worked on Keystone XL by union workers, to establish new training courses for current and future union members in North America.
“We are proud to partner with these union trades and craft workers to ensure this pipeline will be built by qualified professionals with specialized skills to the highest safety and quality standards,” said Richard Prior, President of Keystone XL. “We are especially proud of the new Green Jobs Training Program, which is an investment in thousands of current and future union workers.”
The four unions that are part of the PLA include the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the International Union of Operating Engineers, and the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters. Each union is respected throughout the energy industry for their commitment to safety and quality.
“We’re proud to reach today’s agreement with TC Energy that will put UA members to work on this project, bringing safe and efficient energy to American families,” said Mark McManus, General President of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA). “This project will bring good paying jobs to our members, all while keeping energy costs low and delivering a boost to local communities and their economies. We’re ready to get to work.”
Project construction will support the creation of 42,000 family-sustaining jobs in the U.S, including more than 10,000 high-paying construction jobs that will be filled primarily by union workers. Keystone XL pipeline construction will generate $2 billion in earnings for U.S. workers, according to the 2014 Final Environmental Impact Statement done by the U.S. State Department.
“Unions working in the pipeline industry, like the Operating Engineers, pride themselves on achieving the highest level of technical training and safety to earn opportunities to build projects like Keystone XL,” said James T. Callahan, General President of the International Union of Operating Engineers. “When our members build and maintain pipelines, they are built right, built safe, and built to last. North America is in desperate need of more modern, safe and efficient energy infrastructure. Operating Engineers will continue to provide the most advanced training in the industry to ensure that these projects are built to the highest safety and environmental standards by the most skilled workforce possible.”
The agreement also underscores TC Energy’s commitment to hire as many local workers as possible, including Indigenous workers. Under the agreement, the unions will hire a tribal consultant to serve as a liaison, reaching out with job fairs and open houses to identify and support Indigenous members seeking to work on this project.
“The Keystone XL pipeline project will put thousands of Americans, including Teamsters, to work in good union jobs that will support working families,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “We believe in supporting projects which prioritize the creation of good jobs through much-needed infrastructure development.”
Keystone XL will create jobs and energy security in North America, by ensuring a reliable source of crude oil to the United States. Construction of Keystone XL will inject approximately $3.4 billion into the U.S. GDP. Once complete, Keystone XL will continue to contribute to the local economy, adding approximately $55 million in property taxes to local communities in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska during the first year of operation.
For additional information on the project, visit Keystone-XL.com
Alberta
Alberta Liberals appoint John Roggeveen as interim party leader

CALGARY, United Kingdom — Alberta’s Liberals have appointed a Calgary lawyer to hold the party’s top job months after the resignation of its former leader.
The party issued a statement saying its board of directors named John Roggeveen to the role, but offered few other details.
The party, which currently holds no seats in the provincial legislature, has been without a leader since November when David Khan stepped down to pursue a job in his previous field of law.
Roggeveen, too, is a lawyer by trade, most recently practising privately in Calgary.
Liberal Party President Helen Mcmenamin describes him as “the ideal candidate” for the role, citing “years of political experience and a deep commitment to building the Party and serving Albertans.”
Roggeveen says it’s an honour to take the party reins and is pledging to bolster its presence in the province’s political landscape.
“Good policies are one of the strengths of our party, but good organization will be the foundation for successfully implementing them,” he said in the statement. “My focus will be on creating a stronger organization so that the Alberta Liberals will be a force in the next election.”
The Liberals were once the province’s official Opposition, but after a high of 32 seats in 1993, the party suffered from ups and downs until it fell to third-party status in the legislature in 2012.
It secured a seat for only one member in 2015 and was shut out of the legislature entirely during the most recent election in April 2019.
Saturday’s statement neither specified the expected length of Roggeveen’s stint as party leader nor spelled out the process for choosing a permanent successor.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2021.
The Canadian Press
Alberta
Wayne Middaugh leads Howard rink to victory in its opening game of Tim Hortons Brier
CALGARY — It was a triumphant return to the 2021 Tim Hortons Brier for Wayne Middaugh.
With Glenn Howard ailing, Middaugh led Howard’s Wildcard 3 team to a 9-5 win over Gregory Skauge of Northwest Territories in the opening game of the tournament for both rinks Saturday.
Middaugh originally joined Howard’s rink last month as a fifth but was forced into action after Howard suffered broken ribs in a snowmobile accident.
A broken leg derailed Middaugh’s competitive playing career in January 2016 when he was Howard’s vice at the time.
Middaugh was on crutches at the Brier that season to help the team from the coaching bench.
Middaugh last actively played in the Brier in 2013.
A Canadian Curling Hall of Famer, Middaugh has won Brier and world gold medals at three different positions.
He and Howard won a world title together in 2012 with a different lineup.
On Saturday, the Wildcard 3 team cemented its win with three in the ninth end.
In other action, New Brunswick’s James Grattan defeated Mike McEwen (Wildcard 1) 6-3, Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs got past Yukon’s Dustin Mikkelsen 11-3 in eight ends and Manitoba’s Jason Gunnlaugson edged Alberta’s Brendan Bottcher 5-4.
Two more draws were scheduled for later Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2021.
The Canadian Press
-
Alberta1 day ago
Ottawa unveils proposed federal carbon offset emission credit regulations
-
Alberta1 day ago
Alberta Energy Regulator suspends licences of oil and gas producer that owes $67M
-
Top Story CP1 day ago
Biden signals support to replace war power authority
-
Alberta1 day ago
Ensign Energy reports lower Q4 drilling activity, revenue as slow recovery continues
-
Top Story CP2 days ago
CP NewsAlert: Calgary Flames re-hire Darryl Sutter as coach, fire Geoff Ward
-
Alberta2 days ago
Judge to decide if pastor accused of violating public-health orders will receive bail
-
Top Story CP1 day ago
Trump State Department aide charged with assault at Capitol
-
Alberta2 days ago
Flames fire Geoff Ward, bring Darryl Sutter back as head coach