November 4, 2024

 

TORONTO—Unifor’s Energy Sector Council has launched the “Keep it in the Pipe” campaign, calling for comprehensive methane reduction regulations in Canada’s oil and gas sector.

“Unchecked methane leaks pose serious risks to workers, our communities, and ultimately the climate,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “But it doesn’t have to be this way. Today energy workers are proposing solutions that bring government, industry, and labour to the table.”

The campaign outlines specific calls to action for the federal and provincial governments, including convening a meeting with industry and union stakeholders to establish best practices for managing methane leaks, funding technology to detect and reduce emissions, and closing regulatory loopholes in the gas supply chain. Unifor is also calling for regular leak inspections and repairs in distribution networks where significant leaks currently go unchecked.

“The ‘Keep it in the Pipe’ campaign is about accountability at every level,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “Communities deserve clean air and workers deserve safe workplaces. By fighting methane leaks and getting a handle on inspections, Canada can create good-paying, unionized jobs all the while contributing to climate goals.”

Watch the press conference:

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.