At the heartbeat of the energy sector, Fort McMurray residents weigh in on election issues

Born and raised in Fort McMurray, Alta., Corey Coffey has seen the community go through ups and downs.

From the 2016 wildfire to flooding to economic downturns, the northern Alberta community has persisted.

But the looming threat of U.S. tariffs has him nervous.

"This feels a lot different," said Coffey, who has worked in the oilsands since he was a teenager, 

Coffey, the CEO and owner of GOAT Mechanical Services, a heavy equipment repair company, said it has been a "rollercoaster" as tariff threats loom over the industry. Coffey said 98 per cent of his business is connected to the energy sector.

Plans for an expansion have ground to a halt and there is also a pause on new hiring as a result of the trade war, he said.

"[There's] a lot of uncertainty with respect to the tariffs and respect to elections now being called just recently, which puts again, a lot of uncertainty into the region," said Coffey.

When asked how pivotal this upcoming federal election is, Coffey said it's going to be critical.

"This election is going to be [a] defining moment in the next five to 10 years for Canada. Whoever gets in power and how they portray themselves and how they're able to negotiate with the Trump administration, that is definitely key for us right now," he said.

Important issues

Coffey wants red tape for the industry to be eliminated and to see firmer project deadlines.

He further wants the major parties to explain how they want to unite Canada and what Alberta's role in that would be.

"Typically, we're like the black dog of the family, the black sheep right? So how do we fit into this national unity right? What are their plans for increasing the access of our resources to the West Coast and the East Coast instead of relying heavily on exports through the U.S.?," Coffey said.

Watch | Fort McMurray residents discuss their tops issues at the ballot box:

He said the environment is important to keep in mind.

"By no means should anybody scrap any environmental regulations but certainly, look at what can we improve on in what areas," Coffey said.

Caitlyn Gould, the chief business development officer at Acden, the business arm of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, agrees that tariff threats have provided uncertainty to the energy sector.

Gould said Acden has 23 businesses under its umbrella, primarily serving the oil and gas industry.

"The energy sector and responsible resource development in this region and for all of Canada, Fort McMurray remains a cornerstone of energy for our nation," Gould told CBC News.

"It is extremely important for not only our region here but all of Canada and energy security," she said.

Trevor Boe will also be keeping a close eye on the federal election campaign.

Boe, the president of Inner City Diesel, an environmental dewatering and tailings management company, said tariff threats have created volatility for his company.

"It's really throwing a wrench into some of our plans. We had a couple of projects that have been postponed for this year," he said.

He said there are three pressing issues when it comes to the oil and gas sector: emissions policies, carbon pricing and future trade relations.

And the main ballot box question for Boe is who can best deal with the economy, tariff uncertainties and trade relations.

"We're in turbulent times right now and how they navigate those headwinds or those unsteady waters is going to be important to Canadians," said Boe.

Sovereignty on the ballot

Dianna de Sousa, CEO of the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, would like to see changes to the proposed emissions cap, the Impact Assessment Act and the West Coast tanker ban.

Now that there is a threat to Canada's sovereignty, it's important to cultivate diverse markets and to partner with the federal government, she said.

"So that we can then actually realize our economic growth and our prosperity both as a region but also as a country," de Sousa said.

She said the oil and gas sector wants to see more support and more confidence from the federal government, such as regulatory certainty and more infrastructure.

"We're looking for a government that will implement, roll back and support policies that will allow for us to really maximize the value that we can have out of oil and gas," de Sousa said.

On the mind of residents

At a job fair in Fort McMurray, job seeker Normand Savoie, a heavy equipment driver, said employment and immigration issues are issues he will be tracking during the campaign, along with energy.

"Pipeline. I keep coming back to the pipeline," Savoie said.

"Just more expansion projects in the oil plants."

Fellow job seeker Loralie Hartle canvassed the job fair looking for administrative jobs. She has worked in the oil and gas sector for the past 16 years.

The trade war with the U.S is top of mind for her.

"The tariffs and stuff that we keep hearing about. That's scary, especially with oil and gas," Hartle said.

But she said she also wants the next prime minister to address job opportunities and housing, adding she wants her sons, who are in their 30s, to be able to afford a home.