Written by Alexander Quoan. CBC News – August 4, 2026
The operator of a large refinery in Regina is planning to construct a temporary work camp.
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) has previously used such a camp during negotiations with its unionized staff, including in the lead up to the contentious 2019 lockout that lasted six months.
FCL has applied for a permit from the City of Regina to develop the work camp on its property, which would include 510 beds.
In a statement, the company said the camp would give it “flexibility if supplementary resources are required to operate, maintain or repair the Refinery in a variety of circumstances.”
Richard Exner, president of Unifor Local 594, said the news will be a blow to the morale of the more than 700 refinery employees his union represents.”It’s a little disappointing because like I said, we are early on in the bargaining process,” said Exner.
The company and its unionized workers began negotiating a new contract after their previous deal expired on Jan. 31, 2026.
CBC asked Brad DeLorey, director of communications and public affairs for FCL, if the temporary camp could be used to house replacement workers in the event of a labour dispute.
“Yes, that could be a potential use,” DeLorey said.
Exner said FCL has a right to make an application, that the union was notified by the company of its plans and that he’s “not surprised” by the decision.
He said the refinery has had numerous expansions and turnaround shifts but workers have never had to live next to an operating refinery.
“I think that it’s very fair to say that, using history as a guide, the company has only ever applied for temporary work camps previously to house temporary workers for labour relations purposes,” Exner said.
The City of Regina is seeking public feedback on the proposed work camp. A public hearing has yet to be scheduled and the project must be approved by city council.
Echo of past labour dispute
A similar camp was used during a contentious labour dispute between FCL and its unionized employees in 2019.
The 730 Unifor Local 594 workers were locked out of the refinery complex in December 2019 after they held a strike vote.
The ensuing labour dispute lasted six months, with FCL bringing about 200 replacement workers and 350 managers to keep the plant running during the lockout.
Over that winter, Unifor members blocked access to the refinery, which led to fines, court hearings and arrests.Mischief charges were laid against 14 people including then-Unifor national president Jerry Dias.
The dispute came to an end on June 22, 2021, when unionized employees ratified a tentative seven-year deal.