Calgary based Pembina Pipeline Corporation (TSE: PPL) is expected to lay off hundreds of staff Wednesday morning, Rebel News has learned.

According to an internal email, staff in Calgary and in the field have been told to stay home and expect a call from their superiors before noon.

President and CEO Mick Dilger made the decision over the past month, citing “the current economic climate and COVID-19.”

This comes as yet another blow to the Albertan economy, with Pembina following step with similar companies like Husky Energy in surprise layoffs. 

Justin Trudeau announced last week that he would be spending $1.7B to manage orphan wells in Western Canada. The government presented this as a support package for the oil and gas sector. Many criticized him that it was “too little, too late,” and that the employment niche that these capital projects would occupy was misdirected.

These further layoffs by Pembina vindicate those arguments.

While Justin Trudeau met with his fan base outside of his home in Ottawa this morning, for his daily "coronavirus updates," not one journalist asked about the pending Calgarian layoffs. It is not something that appears to be on the Prime Minister’s radar.