CCPA exposes phony Enbridge job creation

Earlier this year, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) released Enbridge Pipe Dreams and Nightmares: The Economic Costs and Benefits of the Proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline. It is full of insights that will help pipeline opponents argue their case against Enbridge and federal and provincial governments, and help inform people who are still learning about the economic “debates” associated with the pipeline. The CCPA says Enbridge is claiming the pipeline will create 63,000 person-years of employment during construction, and 1,146 full-time jobs once the pipeline is in operation.
 
The CCPA counters that it is more likely there will only be 1,850 jobs a year during construction, and a handful after completion. And while job creation will be low, profits will be phenomenal for Enbridge and tar sand oil producers, who will face little of the environmental risks associated with the pipeline.
 
What is particularly striking is the contrast the CCPA makes between the Enbridge plan vs. jobs based on renewable energy. The report states that alternative $5 billion investments, such as building retrofits and transportation options, would create between 3 and 34 times the number of direct jobs being claimed by Enbridge. For the full report go here.