Irving has indeed bought synthetic crude from Alberta from time to time when they get a low price.  And small amounts of WCS.

The point is that no matter where they get their oil, that doesn't change how many jobs there are at their refinery.  

If Irving was assured of a significant discount on heavy oil from Alberta, then maybe they would have been able to finance upgrades needed to process it.  

But you have to understand how the Irvings had it covered both ways in this deal.  If they didn't refine it, they would have still made money shipping it, which reduces their incentive to upgrade the refinery.