B.C. union leaders ‘not happy’ with Jagmeet Singh

Alex Ballingall

Union leaders in British Columbia say they are bewildered and disappointed that federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh dialed back his support for natural gas projects that are expected to create thousands of jobs in the province.

Earlier this week, Singh said liquified natural gas (LNG) projects in northern B.C. no longer “satisfy” his criteria for major resource projects he can support. A party spokesperson confirmed to the Star that Singh was referring to LNG Canada’s planned export facility in Kitimat — a $40-billion project the Liberal government boasts as “the largest private sector investment” in Canadian history — and the Coastal GasLink pipeline project that is opposed by hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en nation.

The NDP leader believes more consultations are needed on the projects. He also wants Canada to stop using fossil fuels and “fracking,” a controversial method of extracting natural gas that is often condemned by environmentalists — and the method used in the region that will supply the gas for the pipeline and export facility.

Leaders of unions with thousands of jobs at stake in the projects—which have already been approved by governments and regulators—said Wednesday that they feel let down that Singh is backing away from his previous support.

“It hurts. There’s really no other way to explain it,” said Mark Olsen, president of the Local 1611 chapter of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, which expects 1,500 jobs for its members.

full story at https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/05/15/bc-union-leaders-not-happy-with-jagmeet-singh.html

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