Proposed workers' camp a sore point in Gibbons
Ryan Cormier
The Edmonton Journal
Monday, October 13, 2008
EDMONTON -- Controversy is brewing in Gibbons over a Petro-Canada proposal to build a camp for 3,500 workers five kilometres outside of town. The temporary camp would house workers during construction of the proposed Fort Hills upgrader at the site.
When the upgrader project was first proposed, Petro-Canada thought there would be enough workers in the area that a camp would not be needed.
"Due to the skills shortage in Alberta, not as many workers as we thought will be from the local area," said Andrea Ranson, director of corporate communications.
Workers will need a place to live, and the Town of Gibbons itself sees no problem with a work camp.
"This camp will reduce traffic congestion at peak hours because workers will already be at the site," said town manager Maisie Metrunec.
Metrunec said the town has considered security concerns, but is satisfied that Petro-Canada's security will work with the RCMP.
Not all locals are as satisfied.
"A lot of these workers will be from out of province or out of country," said Barb Collier, who lives near Gibbons and is a member of Citizens for Responsible Development. "They have nowhere to go. They will be in that camp seven days a week and will get bored. There are crime concerns here."
Collier is also concerned with the camp's infrastructure and utility needs, considering it will have a greater population than some of the nearest towns, such as Gibbons and Bon Accord.
"This will put a strain on the whole system," she said.
Ranson said Petro-Canada is negotiating with utility providers and plans to use propane for on-site heating. There will also be a nurse and first-aid services on site, Ranson said.
Work camps have popped up around the province to house workers at major energy and resource projects. There are 27,757 workers spread across 57 camps in northern Alberta. Last year, there were 18,572.
Petro-Canada hopes for decisions from the Energy Resources Conservation Board by the end of the year.
There will be a public hearing to discuss the project Oct. 21 in Sherwood Park.
rcormier@thejournal.canwest.com
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WORK CAMPS
Some of the biggest work camps counted in the 2008 census by the Oil Sands Developers Group:
- Poplar Point, Cheltick Lodge and McKay Lodge (Canadian Natural Resources): 8,259 workers
- Albian Village (Shell): 2,344
- Millennium Lodge (Suncor): 1,957
- Mildred Lake Lodge (Syncrude): 1,500
- Wapasu Lodge (PTI): 1,400
- Borealis Lodge (Suncor): 1,415
- Firebag Camp (Suncor): 1,291
- Athabasca Lodge (PTI): 1,200
- Beaver River Lodge (PTI): 600
