vacancy

With crude oil selling for over $70 a barrel, costly development of unconventional oil supplies finally appears viable. Canada, already the USA's No. 1 source of imported oil, is moving forward with plans to massively expand production of oil from giant tar-like deposits in the country's West called "oil sands."

Mario Paquin doesn't speak English, doesn't know anybody in Calgary and doesn't have a job. But when the 40-year-old from Quebec City arrived on the outskirts of the city June 18 looking for work as a ceramic tile layer, the only real obstacle to planting new roots — finding a place to live — is one thing he doesn't have to worry about.