Canadians Hope To Tap Into Bakken

Sen. Max Baucus took the stage with Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer on Monday at the Montana Economic Development Summit in Butte to announce big news for the Bakken.

Baucus and Doer unveiled a trade mission from Manitoba this November that will bring Canadian companies to the booming oil region in eastern Montana on Nov. 6 and 7.

The Bakken oil boom has brought a wealth of jobs and opportunity to Eastern Montana. At the same time, rapid population growth has put a strain on local communities, infrastructure, law enforcement and more. The Canadian trade mission will open the door for new investments to meet the needs of local communities and workers, while supporting Montana jobs in the Bakken well beyond energy development.

“More than 23,000 Montana jobs depend on trade with Canada,” Baucus said. “I’m excited to see how we can leverage that partnership to meet growing needs of workers and communities in the Bakken, while supporting more Montana jobs in this rapidly-growing region.”

“Montana shares a border with three Canadian provinces and exports more goods to Canada than any other country. Our economies are integrated and opportunities are boundless. The Bakken oil reserves, and the first trade mission of Canadian oil energy service providers from Winnipeg to Sidney, will maximize economic potential on both sides of the border,” said Doer.

The trade mission is being organized through a partnership between the Montana and Manitoba World Trade Centers.

“It’s hard to imagine the scale of what is happening in the Bakken,” said Arnie Sherman, executive director of the Montana World Trade Center. “There are shortages of everything from housing and waste disposal to vehicle repairs and equipment. We see opportunities for Manitoba businesses to invest in construction, engineering, environmental remediation, finance, hospitality, housing, transportation, water services and more.”