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ECONOMY: Ontario delegation to meet oil sands companies

(AlbertaIndex, March 13) --- More than 130 of Ontario’s leading manufacturers are in Edmonton this week to build partnerships with Alberta energy sector companies at the National Buyer/Seller Forum, said Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sandra Pupatello.

“This will be my third visit to Alberta and the second Ontario business delegation in less than a year,” said Ms Pupatello. “Alberta firms are driving oil sands innovation and development and Ontario companies can play an important part in that story.”
Alberta’s oil reserves are estimated at more than 175 billion barrels, the second largest in the world after Saudi Arabia. The oil sands are expected to generate capital projects worth more than $100 billion by 2020.
This unprecedented demand has forced many energy sector suppliers to seek additional manufacturing capacity outside of Alberta. Ontario firms specializing in metal products, industrial machinery and equipment, and engineering and construction can help meet that demand.
“Alberta’s energy sector companies will be hugely impressed with the depth of innovation and expertise that Ontario manufacturers bring to the table,” said Ms Pupatello. “Ontario manufacturers are leaders in advanced technologies and excel at meeting stringent production schedules. These companies have the attributes and capacity to be a value-added link in the oil sands supply chain.”
The National Buyer/Seller Forum is a joint industry/government initiative and the foremost event for oil sands procurement. More than 800 delegates will participate in this year’s event, including representatives from oil sands developers, major buyers of equipment, materials and services for energy sector projects, plus manufacturing suppliers and fabricators from across Canada. The Ontario government is a joint sponsor of the forum.
Ms Pupatello co-hosted an Ontario-Alberta reception on Monday, March 12, at Edmonton’s Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. Her three-day program will also include a visit to Fort McMurray’s oil sands projects, meetings with energy sector executives and events at the National Buyer/Seller Forum.
“Ontario manufacturers know that it takes time to build supply relationships with energy sector companies and are committed to this for the long haul,” said Ms Pupatello. “Ontario and Alberta can work together to help deliver oil sands projects on time and on budget, while building opportunity for Ontario's manufacturing workers.”

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