Why is there is no refinery being built directly at the source?

On Monday I wrote about the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline, and the review process which is now finally underway.  My opinion piece began by saying;

"The Northern Gateway oil pipeline, proposed to run from the oil sands of Alberta, to Kitimat in British Columbia, has many opponents – and champions. 

On one hand, we have thousands of jobs on the line, and millions in much needed tax revenues are in limbo, waiting approval.  On the other, are the environmental concerns that are also very much on the minds of Western Canadians. 

Some though, from outside of Canada, are trying to disrupt and stall the review of this project for their own self-interests, and personal glorification in the media..."

It didn’t take long for a comment to come in on it.  One person asked:

Here’s a stupid question, but why don’t the governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Canada each throw in $500B to take a 50% interest in a refinery at Bruderheim.  That way, we could ship middle and light distillates to both the USA and Asia via rail, forgoing the need (and opposition) for a pipeline altogether? 

... only the first step … then they need to implement those ideas

I am sure that many of you who are reading this, are not aware of the vast distance and geography of the 3 ridings that make up Kamloops South Thompson, Kamloops North Thompson, and the Fraser Nicola. I certainly wasn't until a short time ago.

Kamloops of course is the largest city in the 3 ridings however there are dozens of smaller communities stretching from Manning Park near Hope in the South … over towards Pemberton in the West … up and over to Clinton and then to Blue River in the North ... and east out to Chase.

The greatest revenue driver to BC’s economy is the heartland where forestry and logging … ranching and agriculture … mining, gas, and other natural resources all rein supreme.  While some of them are in a downturn at the moment, we all know there are cycles that industry goes through and over the long haul our BC economy benefits from all of them. 

These are not the minimum paying jobs that seem to be the majority of what’s being created these days – they are the kinds of jobs that allow men and woman to renovate or build new homes, purchase new vehicles, create new businesses, send children to colleges and university, and more.