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The oilsands sector is in danger of losing its reputation as a job-creating machine.

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A new industry report shows the sector may require 84 per cent fewer construction workers in 2020 compared to 2015 as project cancellations pile up amid a crippling oil-price environment.

“Overall workforce requirements for the oil and gas industry has been severely impacted by a reduction in investment,” said Carol Howes, vice-president of communications at Petroleum Labour Market Information, part of the industry-funded Enform based in Calgary.

As crude oil prices plunged, capital expenditures in the oilsands declined 30 per cent last year from $35 billion in 2014. Canada has led the world in project deferrals during the 16-month downturn, as oilsands projects with a combined production of three million barrels per day have been shelved, according to Tudor Pickering Holt & Co.