Meili and Steelworkers call for pipeline expiry dates to create jobs and protect public safety

Today NDP Leader Ryan Meili and United Steelworkers Local 5890 President Mike Day called on the Sask. Party government to improve pipeline safety and create jobs by introducing expiry dates for pipelines.

“The tariffs Donald Trump is imposing on Canadian steel will have serious negative impacts on steel manufacturing jobs here in Saskatchewan,” said Meili. “We have more than 100,000 kilometers of pipelines and flowlines in Saskatchewan, and many are old and should be replaced. We saw with the Husky oil spill last year how costly spills can be, and it’s time for the provincial government to introduce expiry dates on pipelines to protect Saskatchewan water and land while also creating jobs. It’s all well and good for Scott Moe to go to Ottawa and Washington, but he needs to show leadership and help workers in Saskatchewan.”

Meili’s proposal would require different expiry date standards for pipe depending on the material and whether the pipe is near a body of water. New pipe manufactured at Evraz steel emits less carbon dioxide than pipe made at most other plants, and existing pipelines can be recycled to make new pipe after being replaced.

In Volume 1 of the 2018 Provincial Auditor’s Report, the auditor noted that there were ongoing problems in pipeline regulation in the province.

“Bringing in expiry dates for pipelines will help to protect good jobs here in Regina, and it will help create construction jobs out on worksites across the province,” said Day. “Steelworkers are concerned about how American tariffs will lead to lost jobs, and this proposal from the Saskatchewan NDP will help create extra demand for steel made right here in Regina.”