A labour delegation with Sarnia representation told a parliamentary committee Thursday that the potential closure of Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline would have far-reaching negative consequences.
Sarnia & District Labour Council President Jason McMichael appeared virtually before the special committee on the economic relationship between Canada and the U.S.
McMichael said he focused his comments on the potential impact on Sarnia-Lambton.
"Congestion in our streets should the pipeline be replaced by two thousand trucks a day, 730,000 tank trucks a year, on our streets," said McMichael. "The congestion created by that on the Blue Water Bridge, in our streets headed to our refineries, and the way that would impact the local economy, it's profound."
McMichael also stressed how the resulting job loss would be staggering.
"The economic spinoff jobs alone amount in the 20,000 range, perhaps half to a third of all the jobs in Sarnia-Lambton, so the economic impact in Sarnia-Lambton will be absolutely significant and the committee gets that," he said.
McMichael appeared with the international vice-president from the Labourers' International Union, and the national director of the Canadian building trades union.
"Their questions were thoughtful, they understand that there will be a dramatic effect on our economy, economies like Sarnia-Lambton. They understand that there is also a need to impart that same understanding on the government of the United States and particularly the government of Michigan.
In November, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the State was revoking the 67-year-old easement allowing the pipeline to operate under the Straits of Mackinac, forcing its closure within 180 days. The line, which runs between Sarnia and Superior, Wisconsin, carries oil and natural gas liquids used in propane to industries in the city, and elsewhere in the province and Quebec.
Michigan has said it’s taking the action to avert a potentially catastrophic oil spill.
Calgary-based Enbridge said the State’s action violates federal law and it has no intention of shutting the line down based on unspecified allegations. The company said Line 5 will continue to operate safely while it focuses on plans to construct a 6.4-kilometre tunnel to replace the lines beneath the straits.
--With files from Colin Gowdy