In the heartbeat of the energy sector, Fort McMurray residents weigh on electoral issues

Born and raised in Fort Mcmurray, in high., Corey Coffey saw the community cross tall and low.

From 2016 fires to floods to economic recessions, the northern albertal community persisted.

But the impending threat of US rates has nervous.

“This seems very different,” said Coffey, who worked in the oil since he was a teenager,

Coffey, CEO and owner of Goat Mechanical Services, a repairs of heavy equipment, said it was a “Russian mountain” while tariff threats loom for industry. Coffey said that 98 % of its business is connected to the energy sector.

The plans for an expansion stop and there is also a break on the new hires following the commercial war, he said.

“(There is) a lot of uncertainty compared to the rates and compared to the elections that are now called just recently, which believes again, a lot of uncertainty in the region,” Coffee said.

As a question about how fundamental these imminent federal elections are, Coffey said it will be critical.

“This election will be (a) determining the moment in the next 5-10 years for Canada. Anyone who puts themselves in power and how they retract and how they are able to negotiate with the Trump administration, this is certainly the key for us right now,” he said.

Important issues

Coffey wants the bureaucracy for the industry to be eliminated and to see more solid deadlines of the project.

He also wants the main parts to explain how they want to unite Canada and what Alberta’s role would be.

“In general, are we like the black dog of the family, the right black sheep? So, how can we fit into this national unit, right? What are their plans to increase the access of our resources on the west coast and on the eastern coast instead of relying on exports through the United States?”, Did Coffey said.

Watch | Fort McMurray residents discuss their top problems for the vote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmej0qymgzw

He said the environment is important to keep in mind.

“Anyone who should eliminate any environmental regulations should not at all, but certainly, look at what we can improve in the areas,” Coffee said.

Caitlyn Gould, Chief Business Development Officer of Achen, the commercial arm of the first nation of Athabasca Chipewyan, agrees on the fact that the tariff threats have provided uncertainty to the energy sector.

Gould said that ACDEN has 23 companies under its umbrella, which mainly serves the oil and gas industry.

“The energy sector and the responsible development of resources in this region and for all of Canada, Fort McMurray remains a milestone of energy for our nation,” said Gould at CBC News.

“It is extremely important not only for our region here, but throughout Canada and energy security,” he said.

Trevor Boe will also pay attention to the federal election campaign.

Boe, the president of Inner City Diesel, a management company of environmental dehydration and sterile management, said that the tariff threats created volatility for his company.

“He is really throwing a key into some of our plans. We had a couple of projects that have been postponed for this year,” he said.

He said there are three urgent problems when it comes to the oil and gas sector: emissions policies, carbon prices and future commercial relations.

And the main demand for Boe urns is those who can do better to manage the economy, tariff uncertainties and commercial relationships.

“We are in turbulent times right now and how they sail to those contrary winds or unstable waters will be important for the Canadians,” Boe said.

Sovereignty on the vote

Dianna de Sousa, CEO of the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, would like to see the changes to the postcode of the proposed emissions, to the law on the impact of evaluation and the ban on ships on the western coast.

Now that there is a threat to the sovereignty of Canada, it is important to cultivate different markets and collaborate with the federal government, he said.

“So that we can actually achieve our economic growth and our prosperity is as a region but also as a country,” said De Sousa.

He said that the oil and gas sector wants to see greater support and greater trust from the federal government, such as regulatory certainty and more infrastructure.

“We are looking for a government that will implement, return back and support the policies that will allow us to really maximize the value that we can have out of oil and gas,” said De Sousa.

In the mind of the residents

In a work fair in Fort Mcmurray, the working seeker Normand Savoie, a pilot of heavy equipment, said that the problems of employment and immigration are issues that will follow during the campaign, together with energy.

“Pipeline. I continue to return to Pipeline,” said Savoie.

“Only more expansion projects in oil plants.”

The laurelie Hartle work sight companion did the work fair looking for administrative work. He has worked in the oil and gas sector in the last 16 years.

The commercial war with the United States is at most for her.

“The rates and things we continue to hear. It is frightening, especially with oil and gas,” said Hartle.

But he said he also wants that the next Prime Minister will face job opportunities and accommodation, adding that he wants his children, who are 30 years old, can afford a house.