Ambassador Doer seeks greater Canadian-U.S. energy cooperation

CANADIAN AMBASSADOR to the United States Gary Doer spoke about the strong military and economic cooperation that exists between Canada and the United States and expressed his strong desire that the two countries work even more closely together toward energy independence.

He discussed the economic and job benefits of two proposed projects: a bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, and a pipeline to carry oil from the Alberta oil sands into the United States. “We think it makes more sense to buy oil from Canada than oil from Libya,” he said. “We think pipelines will produce more energy security for the United States and more economic growth and jobs in the United States and Canada. We not only get energy security by working together, we get economic security. A refinery that’s built or an upgrader that’s manufactured in Canada and the United States makes good economic sense.”

Doer added that the $35 billion ship construction projects planned in Canada will benefit both countries. “I guarantee you, those contracts won’t be awarded to a country outside Canada and the United States. That $35 billion will be invested in shipbuilders and Boilermakers in Canada and the United States. We’re very proud of that.”

Easing restrictions for Boilermakers to travel between the two countries for work is essential, Doer said. “We think regulatory reform should include the ability of workers with the tickets and skills to be able to work in both of our countries when there are jobs that need to be done and workers who need a job.”