Targeting Alberta Oil Sands and Saskatchewan Mining
by Scott A. Sumner
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission and Ministry of Northern Development and Mines recently held a breakfast presentation for regional firms seeking to increase their Western Canadian presence and how to enter the Western market to do business there.
Steve Matheson, Project Lead, Energy Connection Oil Sands Ontario of Ministry of Economic Development “ We discussed the opportunities that are available due to the growth in Alberta for Northern Ontario suppliers to be able to participate in that market. We believe there is tremendous growth there in the longer term.” “ We believe Thunder Bay has the skills and the engineering expertise to supply their needs with out a question. There are a number of opportunities with new technology in say drainage systems. It requires planning and homework to enter these markets. The economy is growing rapidity in Alberta and provides fuel for Thunder Bay companies to get into that market. We like to keep our skills here first but there a number of opportunities in Alberta.”
Lester Cey President of LPC, Consulting “ The Saskatchewan market is in real decent shape right now. There are new mines being developed like we have never seen. We are into $20 billion of work for a small province with about 1 million people. Agriculture is doing really well as well so the province overall is doing well.” “ Technology is really huge and we don’t have all the technology there so look all over the world. We are scanning the world so your companies in Thunder Bay are getting looked at. It takes more than that, it takes coming out to the province and making connections. You go out there and bring what you have to the table and let the market decide.” “ We have lost labour to Alberta but they are coming back. Our housing market is hot in Saskatchewan right now but we don’t see it as too expensive.”
