The end of ICE will be catastrophe in Canada

Kris Eriksen, in Canada @KEriksenV2 says, So, now can we ALL agree that Canadians are in very, very, VERY DEEP trouble?

"Hold my beer." says Prime Minister Carney:  The Canadian federal government has mandated that all new light-duty vehicles sold by 2035 must be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), effectively phasing out new sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This policy, detailed in the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, sets interim targets of 20% ZEV sales by 2026 and 60% by 2030, with a complete transition by 2035.

Not one to back away from trouble, I decide to point out how much trouble. I write this discourse about how much trouble with the help of Grok.

First question: Who else is doing this? Norway, Vietnam, Indonesia, Holland, other Eurotrash. 

Who isn't? India, China (does whatever it wants), U.S.A., Russia. Certainly nobody with oil resources.

Do you know what Grok says about ending gasoline powered engines in Canada? It's economic disaster.

I wonder why nobody talks about it.  Where are the independent gas station operators? Where are the small business organizations? The Chambers of Commerce? 

It is a horrific story. Grok estimates the following: 

Total: 8,420–8,820 independent businesses could shut down by 2035 due to the ICE vehicle sales ban.

And that's not half of it. The apprenticeship and certification of tradespeople in automotive mechanics, schools that teach automotive mechanics, the research and development expertise in making better engines, the whole apparatus of this form of existence, is gone.

Let's ask Grok how many job losses this is forecast to cause. Grok says losses will be a significant hit to the Canadian economy. Don't forget these are good paying skilled jobs, from CEOs, to MBAs, investors, owners of medium-size enterprises, and their staff, then shop owners and journeymen mechanics who make good money, and automotive chains with managers and/or proprietors, shop owners with the lifts and the bays, who charge the big dollars per hour to maintain vehicles for people from all walks of life. Pun intended.

As we have seen, Carney has made a solemn vow to wipe out 10,000 businesses  and he is following through with harpooning an entire sector of the Canadian economy. Kind of like the whale hunts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This whale hunt is for the businesses dying by 2035, and it will be starting now. For instance, the killing starts with asking who will apprentice for mechanic jobs that no longer exist?

Let's ask Grok how many jobs this is, because it will equate the number of lives, times the number of family members, dependent on middle class wage earners whose skills are now useless in Canada.

How many jobs, Grok?

"To estimate the number of jobs lost due to the potential closure of approximately 8,400–8,800 independent automotive and petroleum distributing businesses in Canada by 2035, we need to consider the average number of employees per business type and apply those figures to the projected closures. The estimate of 8,400–8,800 closures includes 6,520–6,820 automotive businesses (repair shops, parts suppliers, dealerships) and 1,900–2,000 petroleum distributing businesses (gas stations, fuel distributors), as outlined previously. Below, I’ll break down the job loss estimates for each sector based on available data and reasonable assumptions." 

Are ya ready?   

Groks says, "The closure of 8,400–8,800 independent automotive and petroleum distributing businesses in Canada by 2035 could result in approximately 78,100–84,600 job losses."

That's an extremely low estimate. 

Schools, teachers at schools, the business  of real estate for shops and stations, and schools, a planned extinction event for an entire economy.  

That's my next question.

How much is, let's say, 100,000 well-paying jobs in cash, Grok?

The Grok answer is:

High Estimate: $4.59 billion × 1.5–2 = $6.89–9.18 billion per year, declining to nothing in less than 10 years.

How many people do you think depend on average on a middle class wage earner in Canada? 

Grok estimates: Approximately 92,800–102,100 people (workers plus their direct dependents) rely on the income of these middle-class wage earners. There is a gradient of incomes all disappearing. 

By his promises, Carney is about to cripple no less than 200,000 hard working members and family in Canadian society and leave them for dead, according to these numbers. 

These numbers, these are very low, in comparison to what he is actually going to do to Canadians simply by keeping his promises to Canadians.

I'm gonna go for a drive to find an ocean view and watch the tide begin to overflow the city, because that's what we face if we don't entirely annihilate the Canadian citizen and his nation.

Addendum

Look at the training and job opportunities for auto mechanics!   

Copilot Answer

Auto mechanic training programs provide essential skills and knowledge for aspiring automotive technicians, with options for hands-on experience, online courses, and certification preparation

Types of Training Programs

Vocational and Trade Schools: Many students choose to attend vocational or trade schools that offer specialized programs in automotive technology. These programs typically last from six months to two years and include both classroom instruction and hands-on training with real vehicles and tools. Schools like Universal Technical Institute (UTI) provide comprehensive training on various vehicle systems, preparing students for careers in the automotive industry. 

Online Courses: For those seeking flexibility, online auto mechanic programs, such as those offered by Penn Foster, allow students to learn at their own pace. These programs cover essential topics like engine repair, electrical systems, and diagnostics, and prepare students for ASE certification exams. 

Manufacturer-Specific Training: Some programs offer advanced training specific to certain manufacturers, which can be beneficial for those looking to work with particular brands. This training often mimics real-world workflows and can enhance job prospects. 

Certification and Accreditation

ASE Certification: The Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification is a widely recognized credential in the industry. Many training programs are designed to prepare students for these certification exams, which can significantly enhance job prospects and earning potential. 

Accredited Programs: It's important to choose a program accredited by recognized organizations, such as the ASE Education Foundation, to ensure quality training and better job opportunities. 

Career Opportunities

Completing an auto mechanic training program can lead to various career paths, including:

Automotive technician

Service manager

Specialty technician (e.g., brakes, transmissions)

Shop owner or entrepreneur

Training not only equips students with technical skills but also enhances their confidence and job satisfaction, making them more appealing to potential employers. 

Conclusion

Whether through traditional vocational schools or flexible online programs, aspiring auto mechanics have numerous training options available to them. 

These programs provide the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the automotive industry, paving the way for a rewarding career.

LIARS

I suppose somebody with the infinite wisdom and intelligence of a Prime Minister  believes, probably, nobody in Canada will figure out that he is promised to annihilate several large sectors of Canada's economy, including automotives. Anything to do with it. GONE>

If you enroll in a school, and blow thousands of dollars getting trained in engine repair, in Canada you do this for no reason, because by the time you get trained, you  will have a  maximum 6 year career.

six years and out. For all the time you invested, and money.

That's what you are promised by the Liberal Party of Canada   

  Talk about this one, good sir.

https://whatmatterstometoday.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-end-of-ice-will-be-catastrophy-in.html

I imagine if you live close to the U.S. border you will be able to drive to a gas station and fill up your car, but by the time you park it in your driveway, it will be empty.

And how ironic will it be, that we Canadians will be selling them 6 million barrels per day of oil by then (presently almost 5 million BBD) and we cannot buy gasoline in Canada.

That's going to be strange, huh?   Ten years?  I bet it's gone in less than five years, fleeing to the U.S., even Mexico, anywhere but here. And who in their right minds believes the Liberals are the ones to pull off something as essential as a complete dismantling and transition in personal travel? 

Watch gas stations start disappearing tomorrow, mechanics moving to U.S., and parts stores disappearing by year's end, because nobody will be driving. Anything.

This starts now. 

Are there exemptions and provisions and some imaginary fuel source left over to keep the marine sector on either coast or surrounding the Great Lakes supplied with fuel. Those are ICE engines too.

These fucking Libtards have no fucking brains. None.

The Great Chinese-Canada Alliance nobody asked for

#WATCH: Melanie Joly says Canada and China are the only countries to impose retaliatory tariffs against the US.

According to her, being like China is good and being like the US is bad.

Is Melanie Joly retarded? pic.twitter.com/gFAmNyg947

— govt.exe is corrupt (@govt_corrupt) June 2, 2025

In answer to my friend, @govtcorrupt.

Well, the question is, how does China feel about Israel? At best, China feels a kind of practiced ambivalence, and a load of skepticism. 

 For this reason, I bet there's a Canada-China alliance against Israel currently underway.

Not only has the Canadian political elite pissed away Canada's standing in trade, energy, military, and alliances. 

No.

Canada's political elite has aligned the nation with communists and terrorists, creating arms embargoes against Israel, totally annihilating the India relationship, and kissing China's ass like she was Harvey Weinstein and Miramax offering the role of a lifetime. I don't know why. Canadians don't align with terrorists. 

Or communist fentanyl exporters. WTF is going on? Canada's elite is nose deep in bad stuff. Citizen X @MackMcColl222 

You know, they're not really elite. They're rich. They're bottom feeders. They get big, rich, up sucking everything off the floor. It's everything. Like, a carbon tax is a sucking everything off the floor. 

First, they hang you upside down. Then they suck everything off the floor.

What makes western separation so appealing?

 Mark Slapinski, who I follow on X.COM, @mark_slapinski, asks, "Just for fun: Do you think Alberta should become its own country? A - Yes  B - No"

This got me thinking, and talking:

Technically, Alberta is a sovereignty.

It has a democratic government that taxes and builds infrastructure within borders, and it has authority over police, courts, schools, roads, and it has a government with departments covering all aspects of life, including international relations.  

The idea that separation would be difficult is absurd. It would be liberating. The federal government has fallen to corruption. It's really non-essential to begin with. Think about it. British Columbia was a separate colony and thriving, as were all the separate entities, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick Quebec Ontario. Even Manitoba was forming a nation. The notion the federal government is anything but power for power's sake is idiocy perpetrated by satraps and mugwumps in Ottawa.

NEWFOUNDLAND WAS ITS OWN DOMINION (nation) UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT run by NFLD Liberals BANKRUPTED THE DOMINION.  Then they held a referendum to join another country, Canada, and a promise of Family Allowance cheques bought NFLD. Sad, because Newfoundland alone today would be one of the richest countries on earth. Instead, it's Newfoundland, Canada's hind end. That's on Liberals.

I would hardly speak for separation, except the federal government is criminal, or at the very least criminally negligent in running this country.  

 If another generation comes along and ferrets out the criminality which has infested the federal Liberal syndicate, and smashes the phony artifice pretending to politics when all they intend is to rob the taxpayer blind, I would suggest staying in Canada.

But. No. I hope the next generation will crush the criminal syndicate growing like weeds in the Liberal apparatus. The Boomers, sad to say, figured out, the best way to steal is to control the government.

NDP wants unwarranted Parliamentary status

There was a special chair for Stanley Knowles in the House of Commons. Perhaps the NDP would settle for one of those special chairs, because nobody wants them to have any power. By nobody, I mean nobody who walks into a poll to cast a ballot.

NDP's zealous embrace of Liberal…

— Citizen X (@MackMcColl222) May 10, 2025

Just leave already

Is it a wig? Why do I care? I don't. I really don't care. 

"Every day, $3.6 billion in goods crosses the Canada-U.S. border, fueling a $1.3 trillion annual trade relationship. 

"This partnership supports 1.4 million American jobs tied to Canadian exports and 2.3 million Canadian jobs tied to U.S. exports. 

"Canada and the United States trade over US $2.5 billion in goods and services daily." {Microsoft Bing}

The cross-border relations in tourism, athletics, education, and family are as old as the history of changing demographics in the Americas.

To me, this kerfuffle stinks of false flag politics, mainly on the part of the Canadians, whose political system is straining credulity on a 'global' scale.

For example, a Prime Minister who resigned a couple weeks ago is suddenly in charge of arranging an economic embargo against the U.S.. 

It doesn't make much sense to be super-charging the politics when you have no mandate to even be sitting in the chair. None. Zero.

It's comical. I assume This Hour Has 22 Minutes is writing the episode as I speak.

Yet some might say I fail to mention who started the kerfuffle with stupid declarations. "In case you forgot, it was Trump."

It was Trump stating a fact the world has been witnessing for a decade, Canada is run by chumps.

I don't feel national pride in the dunderhead. I recall how I felt last week when he resigned. Relieved. And then I think about how I felt when he resigned again, today, like as if he is going to be resigning on a regular basis while he runs our energy sector into a dark abyss.

Have you ever been with somebody who declared how much they loved you while they poisoned you every day?

What's running a country when it's $3 billion a day in trade? Do you think the country with 350 million people is benefiting as much as the country with 35 million people? Who is getting a larger benefit from the $3 billion a day?   That's the question.   If we are getting a raw deal in Canada, who has been in charge of cutting deals for the past decade?

  Don't  answer.   Why isn't the focus on the issue? Joly is at this hour in Washington, probably studying the papers involved at this minute, and instead Trudeau gets to start an internecine war against a woman Premier. He's killing two females with one stone.

He just fired a woman Cabinet Minister. He appears to be shoe-horning the unfortunate Mark Carney into the PMO. He hasn't said a single congratulations or word of encouragement to the peace process in the Middle East, approaching success between Israel and Hamas, of all things.  Nothing to see there.

But war with ALBERTA IS ON.

What a fucking peace of shit.

There's a pattern. I don't think it's the fault of every woman who had the misfortune of encountering this prick as Prime Minister. But it goes to the very beginning. It was only 2016 for the year 2016. 

The rest of the time it didn't work out so well for the women in his government. I have a striking feeling he sent Joly into war zone after war zone to get rid of her. Problem for Trudeau is, Joly is vastly superior to him intellectually and in political savvy.   

I don't care what anybody thinks about my opinion. The fact is, polls aren't going to change. He's a despicable tyrant with a shit agenda who has spent 10 years fucking up a once healthy nation.

He should fuck off good and proper like any dignified political loser would do. All those before him have done it. Just fucking leave already.

More Canadian federal mismanagement to report, this time, fisheries

The Liberals are something else, and that 'something' is Kakistocracy

Yes. What we worked so hard to build as a nation is gone because Liberal de-Enterprise took power from Canadians.

Yes, we lose our health care, and our cities will be patrolled by U.S. military, and our governments will be shut down, and our resources will no longer fund our way of life.

We are an illusion as a country anyway. The weather makes it impossible to keep the illusion alive. One crop per year, 7 months frozen, Canadian populations huddle close to the U.S. border, as close as possible. A few huddle around Maple trees gather syrup for trade. A few run pipes deep underground to get oil for a real economy in the U.S.. All the prattle about how great it is, not really, unless you're tough enough to play hockey, and lucky enough to avoid the Lawyer criminals scuttling down the streets, diverting ambulances. This isn't a fuck you Canada. It's a statement imploring pragmatism about what's happening here. If India has a reverse of population, as China has, as the whole world has, believe me, Canada won't be the first choice of any immigrants anywhere in the world.

Why? Mainly because the Liberal Party back room boys (and girls) are criminals, who put a gaping hole in the treasury for themselves, while we get the Two Randys, and Rainbow Trudeau, and Bungy Guilbeault, and our money disappears, and our resources are locked in, and our energy is slipped out the back door.

Meanwhile the criminals made the drugs flow, the hospitals fail, the organs available, and made people lose political choice; there is no election, there is no Opposition, there is nothing but other countries laughing, and threatening to walk in and take over.

 Why did this happen? Because Liberals fell to criminals. Could there be another reason? Not one as obvious as this. Because people in power put Trudeau in office.

It becomes obvious to the world the Prime Minister is an unwelcome presence in a government in Canada which has no moral compass, and no legitimate place in governance.  These Liberals haven't won an election since 2015. 

Here we are with a foot in the door of 2025, and the Liberals are somehow running government.  That is something else. A collective criminals, low-lifes, and incompetent people cling to power by any means possible.  

Why have Canadians fallen to the criminals? Lawyer criminals  graduate law school to be better criminals provide a rotten untenable foundation atop which they put a drama teacher in charge of Canada. 

What motivates criminals? Greed. More than power, they want to own everything, and having a dead-from-the-neck up Prime Minister opens the taxpayer's vault to the criminal syndicate stealing power. Owning everything is actually possible when you have a whole National Treasury at your disposal.

That's what this federal government amounts to. A mob of greedy criminals and their associates is called a Kakistocracy. You're living it. Look it up. It's ugly. You know it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakistocracy

These criminals have been destroying as much as they can for decades, because they are greedy. And I see what they have done.  I see them. I see their face. I see their deeds. I see their greed. 

And they are Liberals. They are federal Liberals. And they are criminals. And while they may never serve a day in prison for their murder, theft, and endless injustice, they do not belong in government any further. 

These people need to be extinguished from political power. Canada needs honest government restored, now. 

🚨 Former head of the Wikimedia foundation and current CEO of NPR, Katherine Maher: “The Wikipedians who write these articles aren’t focused on finding the truth. For our most tricky disagreements, seeking the truth isn’t the best place to start. Reverence for the truth might… pic.twitter.com/5Biqhxq0F1

— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) December 24, 2024

Hold on. This is the kakistocracy I am talking about. This is the perfect example of it. This form of institutional criminal minded thinking is like, a pandemic. It's like a real pandemic. Not a mask wearing old people dying make cripples stand in line phony vaccine pandemic. This is people making a living off causing you severe pain, deficit, and set-back. Like a lawyer who studied law to be a better criminal. If you know one, they're dangerous.

It's a cruel world when that's what you make it. This happens to be a lefty specialty (making it a cruel world).

This was not my position at all times. It is a position I have been taken to by long term observation and a small amount of intense investigation, and a certain amount of rumination and luck upon making discoveries.

Everybody is wearing a mask, of course. The psychopath who won't leave power no matter how much it pains the world is wearing a mask. And so is the criminal behind him pulling the strings to make him say and do the stupidest psychopathic crap imaginable.

Anyway. Liberals don't run a pathocracy as much as I have believed since the previous decade. It was in about 2020 to be exact when I became convinced that a form of governance called pathocracy had taken control of a few western governments. I have changed my mind. The form of government we have encountered under the guise of leftist policies, is called: HANG ON TO YOUR HATS "A kakistocracy is a government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens" These are three types: the WORST, and the LEAST QUALIFIED, and MOST UNSCRUPULOUS citizens. That can include a lot of fraternities, to go along with the other gutter sniping, back stabbing, evidence diverting ne'erdowells fighting for power, because it's profitable and you don't need brains.

pic.twitter.com/vJa0HUld3h

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 23, 2024

Considering you are confronting an entity known as kakistocracy, yes, expect a fight. Kakistocracy - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakistocracy…… As the President encountered twice during the election, there are dangerous minds lurking in the background of a government run by criminals. This is why I suspect Democrats could disappear as a political entity due to the criminal constituency running the party. Enough investigations revealing a criminal brand would end the party permanently, as it would be outlawed like the Nazi Party is outlawed in Germany. And I firmly believe they have taken control of government levers in Canada as well. It appears to be a government which cannot be removed from office. Is that criminal enough? Pretty sure it is. I think they are obsolete in a world where change demands brains. And government needs brains enough to change to keep up with this new age of technological change, and advance.

The consensus in Canadian journalism is Trudeau is delusional

The main corp of daily journalists and pundits in Canada are now of a single mind about Trudeau; they say, he is fraught with psychopathic traits and delusions.

They don't say he's surrounded by sycophants but those are the only people hanging around psychopaths.

Sycophants… https://t.co/AbpTKN2GZF

— Citizen X (@MackMcColl222) December 19, 2024

BC Salmon Farmers Concerned About Fiscal Update:

Reckless Policy Decisions Compound an Expected Dire Fiscal Forecast 

Liǧʷiłdaxʷ TERRITORY/CAMPBELL RIVER, BC -- December 16, 2004 -- The BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA), representing thousands of workers across British Columbia, is deeply concerned about the grim picture painted by the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Freeland from the Trudeau government today. 

The government's reckless actions exacerbate our ballooning debt and stagnant economy as Canadians face rising living costs, higher food prices, and a weakening Canadian dollar. The estimated $9 billion taxpayer-funded cost of phasing out the BC salmon farming sector is another example of costly political gimmicks over sound economic policy. 

Despite clear scientific evidence, the decision to ban current marine net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia by 2029 is driven by political motivations rather than long-term, responsible planning. This policy ignores the real-world consequences for thousands of workers, First Nation communities, and the broader economy.  

Mowachaht/Muchalaht Title Declared to B.C. Court

 Notice of Claim

"The. . . First Nation has Aboriginal title to its lands and that B.C.'s Forest Act and Land Act will no longer apply to Mowachaht/Muchalaht lands once title is declared." Vancouver Island First Nation whose ancestors met explorer Capt. Cook in 1776, only to see the disappearance of land, resources, and sovereignty, sues province of British Columbia

       Citizen X 

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/vancouver-island-first-nation-whose-ex-chief-met-capt-cook-files-claim-against-b-c/ar-AA1vLaGz?ocid=socialshare

Canadian West Coast Fishermen in Sustainable Fisheries

A good first example of implementation of APSA certification

credit Mainstream Canada

A recent announcement by the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association is receiving positive feedback on the west coast where so many communities are dependent on a marine economy that has disappeared for several years, practically a couple decades or more. The Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture (APSA) standard of certification has been applied to Mainstream Canada, and, according to proponents, “other aquaculture companies are now inquiring about certification. What are the criteria?

“The AAA has been working with Ahousaht for a year to bring about APSA certification of Mainstream Canada operations.” APSA grew out of a strenuous academic exercise that began about half-a-decade ago, with the goal of making industry compliant with First Nations inherent interests and values. APSA certification will show the world that, “a company produced in a way that meets the needs of First Nations with a program approved by First Nations.”

Richard Harry is the president of the AAA, “We need to make the world understand and appreciate First Nations communities operating in aquaculture. It is the biggest employer in our communities. There are jobs for people which  sustains communities, and we are  partners in these endeavors.”

As a close observer of the industry over the years, Harry notes, “Fish farming is probably the most over-regulated industry in the country. To us, it`s operation standards that matter. And where the industry goes we need to be part of it. Fiirst Nations and the companies involved will   lead the APSA program. But the market place itself is probably the most important place.”

Harry says, “Since we lack resources to promote the certification, it`s the people who accept this form of certification that will do the promotion. I don`t know if it`s ever happened that a First Nation certification of an industry has occurred.”

The AAA mission statement is to support First Nation sustainable aquaculture in ways that support and respect First Nation community culture and values. It means First Nation-approved aquaculture products coming onto the market. During the years of development, “We looked at environmental issues first, then began looking deeper at the regulatory and government programs, both mandatory and voluntary, including issues like compliance to ISO 14000, environmental permitting and assessments, government and community protocols.”

The AAA designed the criteria beginning with environmental performance of these companies and industries, “a performance that has to be better understand by public. But we also realized the need for monitoring social aspects of aquaculture, that we should focus on the economic impact in communities, and cultural aspects, asking if aquaculture operators are meeting needs in local communities.”

Ahousaht is deeply engaged in the aquaculture and fish farm industry so it makes a good starting point for a certification program, and, Harry adds, “Mainstream has been working with Ahousaht for long time to develop the relationship, in fact, signing a protocol agreementl last year. They had a natural foundation for certification.” Thus fish farming received the first certification of aquaculture under APSA, but, “The whole idea is to go across all sorts of aquaculture. 

“But this is a good first example of implementation. AAA`s goal is to have APSA applied to any form of aquaculture, operator, and First Nation across the country.” APSA audits the economic, social, water and land use, personnel use, and applies to aquaculture on the ocean, or land, including hatcheries.

“It`s like any other certification program that has a set of criteria and those criteria were developed in cooperation with AAA and First Nations. You are talking about a set of criteria established by the AAA and First Nation communities done by a third party does audit process.”

The AAA has held a couple of workshops lately to inform First Nations about APSA and the benefits they should see, with a third meeting coming to Nanaimo May 25, 2011. Contact AAA at 250-286-9939 visit www.aboriginalaquaculture.com

Enduring Mikisew Companies

Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN) inhabits the western shores of Lake Athabasca in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, a community in the northeast of the province that was established in 1788. The place remains oddly remote, tiny, but is developing nicely and the membership is torn between staying isolated or joining the outside world with a road to Fort McMurray.

Fort 'Chip' was once a North West Company and Rupert's Land trading post, and is today the gateway to Wood Buffalo National Park and other magnificent tourism opportunities. Even without the benefit of a road, MCFN moved successfully into both the travel and energy sectors of Alberta. Under the management of Aqeel Ahmad, MCFN created Mikisew Energy Services Group (MESG) and developed companies that staff more than 400 people, recruiting from within and outside the First Nation.

Aqeel said, "MCFN governance runs a portfolio-based system that oversees separate sectors of the economy," from the Mikisew community perspective. A series of corporate entities came into being, like 2000 Plus Ltd., Mikisew Maintenance Ltd. (MML), and MSD to make up MESG. 

 MML and 2000 Plus Ltd. have been involved in the oil and gas industry for the past nine years in Fort McMurray creating hundreds of jobs in the oil and gas industry. The MESG area of operation has been in the oil sands, and these companies perform jobs with millions of hours of work with all classes and levels of machine and technology. The MESG companies have operations at Syncrude, Albian, Trans Alta, and Suncor.

MCFN business plans took MESG companies into rich core areas where members could develop extensive knowledge and experience in energy plants of all types and complexities. They deliver manpower to administration as well. Aqeel said, "MESG has employed well over 600 employees. Last year MESG put in approximately 806,130 man hours in those project areas." MESG companies will expand, and more may appear. "We are actively searching for new ways outside Fort McMurray, and within Edmonton, to provide employment and training opportunities for Mikisew and other First Nation or Aboriginal people."

He said, "These companies have building capacity even with current obligations in very interesting areas of the oil and gas economy," and they are on the lookout for new opportunities. Aaron Kaskamin is a site manager for MM Limited Partnership. "We are a union company. In order to get employment, employees have to be members of local unions," said Aaron. "We work with local labour and trades unions to get Mikisew members into the local union whenever it is possible."

Kaskamin is joined by Mikisew managers found in operations across the board. April-Eve Wiberg works for Air Mikisew, and Edmonton-based Mikisew Slings and Safety Ltd., two more companies owned by MESG. April-Eve said, "What happens now is that other long-awaited opportunities ensue, and we have to learn how to take advantage of them." She said that Air Mikisew started about 10 years ago when MCFN bought Contact Air.

 

"The goal was to ensure never again would the community of Fort Chipewyan be at the mercy of a southern-based, for-profit airline. Too much was at risk." Also, owning an airline raised the possibility of a money-making venture for MCFN. "We have 11 airplanes, and 21 pilots operating within a fiercely competitive industry," said April-Eve.

"Our entire operation is strategically targeted at running an airline." Air Mikisew staff function with specific and high level training and accreditation in Fort McMurray. "We can always improve, and this is our goal, though overall I think our Fort Chip client base and MCFN leadership are pleased with the company's performance.

"We're flying full most of the time, our freight program is stretched to keep up, therefore I'd suggest these are signs of things going fairly well. We're proud of being named Fort McMurray's Business of the Year in 2005, a fairly exciting accomplishment in light of the incredible amount of business operating and gravitating around Fort McMurray."

Air Mikisew flies scheduled flights out of Edmonton City Centre Airport to both Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan. April-Eve added that even though the season is 'off' for now, Northern Mikisew Sport Fishing owns Alberta's top-rated group of fly-in fishing lodges.