Enbridge cuts 5% of workforce

Enbridgesays it'scutting five per cent of its workforce about 500 people and 100 unfilled positions in Canada and the United States.

The reductions are being madeacross the company,saida statement issued by Graham White, Enbridge's manager of business communications.

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"WhileEnbridgeis more resilient to commodity price downturns than others, we're not immune,"White said in the statement.

"We're taking these actions to remain competitive, ensure we can continue to serve our stakeholders well and to further strengthen our foundation for the future."

The Calgary-based pipeline giant said the cuts are not connected to Prime Minister JustinTrudeau'scall on Friday for amoratorium on crude oil tanker trafficfor B.C.'s North Coast.

Trudeauoutlined the directive in amandate letter to Transport MinisterMarcGarneau. The prime minister askedGarneauto formalize the agreement with three other ministries: Fisheries;Natural Resources; and Environment.

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The move sparked questions about what effect a moratoriumwould have on Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline, which would carry bitumen from Alberta to Kitimat, B.C. The project was approved in June2014 with209 conditions.

"Reductions are from all across the enterprise both in Canada and the U.S., and have nothing whatsoever to do with the government announcementon Friday regarding tanker bans,"Enbridge said in Monday's statement.

"All decisions were made prior to that announcement and Northern Gateway was not impacted by the reductions."

Enbridge said "disciplined cost management" is centralto its business model, adding that although the cuts are necessary, the "company is on very strong financial and strategic footing" and "will continue to grow."