Why We Must Say No to the Burnaby Refinery Sale to a U.S. Corporation
By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita
The proposed $9.1 billion sale of Parkland Corporation — including the Burnaby Refinery — to American oil giant Sunoco is more than just a corporate merger. It’s a red flag for the people of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canada as a whole. This isn't just about economics; it's about sovereignty, jobs, environmental accountability, and our energy future.
What’s at Stake for Vancouver and BC?
The Burnaby Refinery is one of the few remaining refineries in Western Canada, and it supplies roughly a quarter of BC’s fuel needs. If we allow ownership to fall into foreign hands, we risk losing local control over fuel pricing, supply stability, and environmental regulation. American shareholders may prioritize profits over people — cutting corners, outsourcing jobs, or even shutting down the refinery if it's deemed "non-core" to their portfolio.
Union Warnings and Job Security
Unifor, the union representing refinery workers, has sounded the alarm. Workers fear job losses, reduced investment in infrastructure, and a disregard for local expertise. These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet — they’re families, communities, and livelihoods. The refinery supports hundreds of good-paying union jobs — jobs that could vanish if cost-cutting measures come into play.
A Pattern of Corporate Takeovers
We’ve seen this story before: a Canadian company is acquired, promises are made, and then slowly the services are downsized, Canadian leadership is replaced, and local accountability disappears. When American investors, like Engine Capital LP, call the refinery a “non-core asset,” it’s a clear sign: our resources are being sold off piece by piece.
Environmental and National Security Concerns
In the midst of a climate crisis, foreign corporations may not prioritize Canada’s environmental goals. The Burnaby Refinery had been making strides toward low-carbon investments — will that continue under Sunoco’s leadership? Moreover, in a world of rising geopolitical tension, maintaining local energy resilience is crucial. Selling off vital infrastructure weakens our autonomy.
The Bigger Picture — Selling Canada Short
This isn’t just about one refinery. It’s about a systemic issue: the hollowing out of Canadian industries for short-term shareholder profit. Foreign ownership of critical infrastructure undermines our democracy, environmental standards, and economic security.
What Can We Do?
- Raise Awareness: Share this post, talk to your friends, and challenge the narrative that this sale is “just business.”
- Contact Your MP and MLA: Demand they take a stand against the sale. This deal should be subject to national security review.
- Support Local Workers: Stand with Unifor and other groups fighting for job protection.
- Pressure Regulators: Write to the Competition Bureau and the Investment Review Division. Demand transparency and public interest protections.
Conclusion: We Deserve Better
Vancouver and Canada deserve to keep control over our energy infrastructure. We deserve secure jobs, environmental accountability, and an energy policy that puts people and the planet before profits.
Let’s stop this sale. Let’s keep the Burnaby Refinery Canadian.
