Oyen businesses are benefiting from Keystone XL
BY JOAN JANZEN
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Construction of the Keystone XL pipeline has transformed Oyen’s slow pace to a town bustling with activity. The downtown area is festooned with vehicles and the population has doubled in size with the addition of the work crew, which will be close to 1,000 workers by the end of this month.
The 2,000 km long Keystone XL Pipeline, which runs adjacent to the town of Oyen, has created over 7,000 jobs in Alberta, and will create more jobs as the project progresses.
The business owners in Oyen aren’t alone in their appreciation for the pipeline; western Canada as a whole is in favour of the project. In addition, US President Trump approved the pipeline, but his opponent, Joe Biden has said he’s been against the Keystone pipeline since the beginning.
The U.S. election is only weeks away, causing people in Oyen to contemplate what a Biden victory would mean for the pipeline. Many Canadians and the media are also wondering what the consequences would be, which is why the Rebel Media returned to Oyen a second time to ask a few questions.
“Everyone is concerned. Because It’s a project that’s been in the making for 10 years after the original line went through and this is the twinning of it. It’s very important, not only to the people and the crew, but to everyone in Alberta,” Diana Walker, owner of The Oyen Echo, commented to a Rebel Media reporter.
Recently, Diana’s son Dale Walker, was also interviewed, but by the CBC, regarding the economic boost generated in Oyen because of construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.
Dale is part owner of the Fountain Tire-NAPA Auto Parts shop and said their tire business has climbed by ten percent, which is a huge boost for the business.
It’s not every day that Oyen residents attract the attention of national media, and the local businesses are enjoying the additional business from the work crews. The local convenience store has been opening early in the morning to accommodate the workers before they head off on the bus. Oyen Pharmacy is also extending their hours by staying open Tuesday evenings for their patrons.
Doug Jones, Mayor of Oyen said everything is busier than usual. “The three girls working at the bar are busy, busy. They can’t get enough help there.” Fast food places are opening early in the morning for the workers. “Our stores get used well, but we’re limited on our restaurants and seating capacity, so these guys spend a lot of time in Kindersley as well. They do a lot of shopping in Kindersley, because it’s easier to go to Kindersley than it is to go to Medicine Hat.”
He explained that the camp wanted to have another exit in case there was ever an accident at the intersection, “So they agreed to extend one of our streets out to the main highway with an exit gate built. They helped with that because it was for their benefit,” Mayor Jones said. He said Alberta Health wanted all the water lines looped, and they also helped with that expense.
“They are willing to work with us, and they have the most stringent Covid rules around,” he noted. Mayor Jones also explained that workers who have been at the camp for a month and a half can leave the camp and live elsewhere, which makes room for new workers who are coming in. He noted that there’s workers from Saskatchewan as well as Manitoba working at the camp.
“The pipeline will be near Consort at Christmas time. They’re doing two kilometres a day. They’re moving along.” Mayor Jones concluded.
