The M.D. of Opportunity has approved a heavy oil pipeline expansion near the Sandy Lake settlement, but council made it clear they want local workers to get the jobs.
During the June 22 council meeting in Calling Lake, Canadian Natural delegates presented their plans. They showed the council a map of proposed routes for a new pipeline connecting to an existing well site just outside the community.
Councillor Darlene Jackson asked what the new pipeline would carry. When the delegates said it would transport heavy oil instead of natural gas, Jackson shared her concerns. She worried about the environment and asked exactly how close the construction would get to people’s homes in the settlement.
The Canadian Natural team quickly eased those fears. They told the council the pipeline is relatively small and will be built a safe distance away from all houses. Their top choice out of three, called Option A, safely loops around the outside borders of the Sandy Lake settlement to keep noise and construction away from the people living there.
Councillor Kevin Bigstone, who represents Sandy Lake and attended the meeting online, said he does not expect any major problems for his residents. He just wanted to make sure the pipeline stayed out of the way of a planned community fire guard, which the delegates confirmed would not be an issue.
Reeve Marcel D. Auger agreed that Option A was the safest and most logical choice.
“Option A looks good and makes sense,” Auger said. “It keeps the construction completely outside of the community.”
Satisfied with the safety measures, Jackson put forward a motion to approve the Option A route. However, she added a clear request to her motion before the final vote.
“When you are hiring for this project, please try to use local businesses to do the work,” Jackson said.
The Canadian Natural delegates agreed to the request.
“We agree, and we do that as much as we can,” Canadian Natural delegate Trent said. “We always try to use local businesses.”
Before wrapping up the presentation, Reeve Auger suggested the municipality and the company need to meet face-to-face more often. He said it is always better for the M.D. to hear about new projects directly at a council meeting, rather than finding out through local rumors.
“We are really trying to build a strong relationship with you,” Auger said. “We want to be kept in the loop, so we do not have to hear about these things second-hand from residents or contractors.”
Both sides agreed to meet at least once a year to discuss future plans and share information. With the route settled and the promise of local jobs, the motion to approve the pipeline passed unanimously.
By Armaan Khanna, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Jul 01, 2026 at 12:00
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