Laid-off Alberta oil workers boost N.S. businesses

The influx of workers coming home to Nova Scotia from the Alberta oil sands is helping local companies fill needed positions.

For the first time in years, the boom and bust cycle has benefited Dave Chernecki of Roofworks in Dartmouth.

"There's a few more workers here to choose from and they bring all their training from out west," he said. "My buddy Jeremy, he's with us now and he's got all of the safety training and stuff that they provided him out there."

Chernecki says he's received several job applications from returning workers who have their own equipment, trucks and years of hard-working experience. His roofing business only employs five people, but he says it's nice to have options.

"I haven't talked to too many other [businesses] about it but I mean I am sure everybody is benefiting a bit from it," said Chernecki.

Plummeting crude prices have forced most companies to cut back production in the Alberta oil sands.

Oil barrels down $30

The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) adjusted its 2015 drilling forecast in January after oil dropped from $85 US per barrel to $55. CAODC predicted the number of active drilling rigs would decline by 41 per centthis year.

In northern Alberta, the slowdown has municipal officials doing everything they can to protect their workforce.

Mayor Melissa Blake represents the region of Wood Buffalo, which covers Fort McMurray. She says job losses are being felt by the entire community.

"Food bank usage is definitely up, so if expenses are being cut sometimes that's where people feel it first," said Burke.

She says it makes natural sense that oil companies are cutting travel expenses such as air fares for commuting workers.

"It doesn't even have to be a push from us. I think the industry here is quite sensitive to that when they have employees that have made commitments to the community. They are very well cared for in the context of analysis of jobs. I mean there are some fundamental hard facts that have to be faced when it comes to whether it's a nice to have position or it's a need to have position," Burke said.

"We can appreciate how difficult it is for people who have to make a long distance commute, and I'm always one to encourage people and their families to think about making this a home-based option for them. And so, when these economic circumstances change, again they'll be given a higher degree of consideration for maintenance and preservation by the companies."