"It's about engaging Albertans so that there is a line of sight to the economic benefits that are contributed by our industry and to the environmental and social responsibility that is being demonstrated by our industry on a day-to-day basis.”

CALGARY, ALBERTA – Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) president David Collyer and representatives of eight Alberta-based business associations today launched ‘Alberta is Energy,’ a community-building initiative to raise awareness about the important role the oil and gas industry plays in the lives of Albertans.

“It’s about engaging Albertans so that there is a line of sight to the economic benefits that are contributed by our industry and to the environmental and social responsibility that is being demonstrated by our industry on a day-to-day basis,” Collyer said in a speech to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

“Why? As one of our CAPP members frequently reminds me, ‘You can’t expect to win on the road if you can’t win at home.’ ‘Alberta is Energy” is about winning at home.”

Over the next several months Alberta is Energy will take the form of communication and discussions via websites, social and mainstream media, engagement of company employees, and at town hall-style meetings. Similar activities will follow in other petroleum producing provinces such as Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Alberta is Energy is supported by nine associations representing more than 3,500 businesses, many of which produce or deliver services related to oil and gas development.

“The oil and gas industry in Alberta is one of the largest contributors to the Canadian economy,” said Roger Soucy, President of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada. “When commodity prices and activity is down so are the tangible benefits such as government revenues and jobs, both of which contribute to our overall quality of life.”

Don Herring, President of the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors said, “Each active drilling operation provides 75 direct field jobs and many more indirect support jobs. We work in and around rural communities and are a good source of economic development. The slowdown in oil and gas activity has affected a lot of Albertans.”

Alberta Enterprise Group, a public policy advocacy group based out of Edmonton indicates its members are likewise concerned with competitiveness.

“These reviews should happen automatically every few years and expand to examine all elements of the economy to ensure Alberta is the most competitive jurisdiction in North America to invest. The government has made some positive changes and we hope it will continue to focus on improving Alberta's economic fundamentals moving forward,” said Alberta Enterprise Group President Tim Shipton.

Alberta is Energy is supported by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Small Explorers and Producers, Petroleum Services Association of Canada, Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors, Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractors, Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and Alberta Enterprise Group.

Source: Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

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