Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project conditionally awards $620 million in contracting opportunities to B.C. First Nations
Coastal GasLink will employ a range of job opportunities that require a variety of responsibilities, skill levels and trade specialization from Indigenous and local resources.
TransCanada is pleased to announce that its Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project is conditionally awarding $620 million in contract work to northern British Columbia (B.C.) Indigenous businesses for the project’s right-of-way clearing, medical, security and camp management needs. The Project anticipates another $400 million in additional contract and employment opportunities for Indigenous and local B.C. communities during pipeline construction. All contracts remain conditional upon a Final Investment Decision by the Joint Venture Participants of LNG Canada for their proposed natural gas liquefaction facility in Kitimat, B.C.
“The relationships we have built with our local and Indigenous communities play a vital role in the work that we do every day,” said George Hemeon, senior manager, Indigenous & Local Contracting and Employment for the Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project. “Today is a testament to how important these relationships are and to the extraordinary accomplishments we can achieve when we work together.”
The Coastal GasLink project will employ a range of job opportunities that require a variety of responsibilities, skill levels and trade specialization from Indigenous and local resources. Specialized project work includes right-of-way clearing, gravel processing, access road development, camp and storage site preparation, camp support services, materials hauling, right-of-way grading, welding, installation, site clean-up, reclamation and other activities.
To date, more than one-third of all field work completed on the project has been conducted by Indigenous people. Since the project was announced in 2012, the project team has ensured Indigenous groups along the pipeline route have meaningful opportunities to be part of project planning, jobs and local contracting prospects for their businesses and their communities.
Thus far, the Coastal GasLink team has signed project agreements with 95 per cent of Indigenous communities along the route, establishing long-term benefit programs that include direct project involvement through specialized liaison committees and tailored contracting and employment plans that meet the specific needs of Indigenous communities. These agreements will also provide Indigenous groups with a sustainable revenue source over the life of the project.
The Coastal GasLink project team will continue to work with all Indigenous groups and local B.C. communities to ensure questions are answered, concerns are addressed and feedback is gathered as the project moves forward.
First Nations Support
- Chief Larry Nooski, Nadleh Whut’en (June 26, 2018)
“Coastal GasLink represents a once in a generation economic development opportunity for Nadleh Whut’en First Nation. We negotiated hard with CGL to guarantee that Nadleh people, including youth, have the opportunity to benefit directly and indirectly from the project, while at the same time, ensuring that the land and the water is protected through adherence to our Yinka Dene Uza’hne Guide to Surface Water Quality Standards. We are proud of this day and what it means for the future.” - Chief Roland Willson, West Moberly First Nations (June 26, 2018)
“This is a major milestone for West Moberly First Nations. Our team has worked diligently over the past five years to ensure that our cultural and environmental principles are protected, and we continue to work closely with the Coastal GasLink team to maximize the economic benefits for our community members and future generations.” - Chief Vivian Tom, Wet’suwet’en First Nation (June 26, 2018)
“Today’s announcement is an important step forward for Wet’suwet’en First Nation. It shows the world how well First Nations and industry can work together to achieve significant economic benefits, protect the environment and preserve cultural values. We look forward to the ongoing work with Coastal GasLink to maintain our mutually beneficial relationship.” - Chief Dan George, Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation (Burns Lake Band), (June 26, 2018)
“It is great to have finally reached this point. When we signed the Project Agreement in 2014, we recognized that it is important to balance environmental protection with economic opportunity. Coastal GasLink and Ts’ill Kaz Koh have both worked hard to establish a trusted reciprocal business relationship and I am confident that this will benefit our members today and in the future.” - Chief Dominic Frederick, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation (June 26, 2018)
“This is an import step for both Lheidli T’enneh and Coastal GasLink. We have been working together to ensure contracts and jobs for our community, while also ensuring environmental stewardship of our territory. We will continue to maximize the participation of our members in the safe and responsible construction of the pipeline.” - Chief Ken Cameron, Saulteau First Nations (June 26, 2018)
“After a long and complex journey, we are finally at this important signing event. Coastal GasLink is a project that will impact the entire province and facilitate additional development that will impact our treaty lands for generations to come. We look forward to continuing to work with TransCanada on this and other projects that are environmentally, socially and culturally sustainable.” - Chief Rene Skin, Skin Tyee Nation (June 26, 2018)
“It’s great to have finally reached this point. We have been working with TransCanada for several years and are looking forward to working on a project that’s very important for our community. We believe that this pipeline will be built safely and responsibly to help move our natural gas out of British Columbia for the benefit of all our communities. We look forward to the jobs and benefits this project will provide to our community.” - Chief Jackie Thomas, Saik’uz First Nations (June 26, 2018)
“We have worked hard to ensure that the environment and Saik’uz values are protected, while at the same time meaningful economic benefits are secured for our community from the Coastal GasLink Project. We have established a positive business relationship and continue to work closely with their team to identify additional opportunities for Saik’uz members.” - Chief Trevor Makadahay, Doig River First Nation (June 26, 2018)
“We’ve been talking to Coastal GasLink for five years now and are glad to see that this day is finally here. Doig River is proud of the reciprocal business relationship that we negotiated with Coastal and we are looking forward to the contracting and employment opportunities that will emerge once construction starts. We know that the safety of land is as important as safety of people and through our negotiations with Coastal GasLink we’ve learned that they share this priority. Our Nation is happy to move forward.” - Chief Alec McKinnon, Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation (June 26, 2018)
“I am encouraged by the announcement today and look forward to the contracts and jobs that will benefit our community should the project proceed with construction. I would like to thank Taba, Nak’azdli-Summit and Coastal GasLink for their hard work to get to this point. We are committed to the ongoing work with our Keyohs and the project to ensure respect for Nak’azdli Whut’en values and protection of the environment.” - Troy Young, Kyah Resources (June 26, 2018)
“Kyah Resources Inc. brings together Witset First Nation and Roga Contracting. We are proud of our company. We’re proud to be working with Coastal GasLink to clear a particularly difficult stretch of the right-of-way. This day has been a long time coming. We couldn’t be happier that Witset and Wet’suwet’en businesses and people will be working our territory to help make this project a reality.” - Shawn Julien, Owner, TABA Enterprises (June 26, 2018)
“TABA Enterprises has worked hard with both Nak’azdli Whut’en Leadership and Coastal GasLink for the past three years to get to this point. We’re pleased that Coastal has selected us to clear a significant portion of the right-of-way. Being selected by TransCanada through a competitive process to complete the clearing work in our unseeded territory demonstrates to B.C., Canada and the world that local Indigenous-owned businesses can compete for, and win, contracts along with non-Indigenous businesses. TABA Enterprises is a locally owned Indigenous business that is ready and able to help build this pipeline that will carry natural gas from Treaty 8 territory in North East B.C. to the west coast.” - Zane Pickering, President, Falcon Camp Services Inc. (June 26, 2018)
“Falcon is very pleased to be selected by Coastal GasLink to be part of this major project. As a 100 per cent Indigenous business we are very proud of our partnerships with First Nations in northern B.C. Falcon has worked hard since the project was announced to get to this point and we look forward to starting work.” - Dean Allen, President, Summit Camps (June 26, 2018)
“Kyah Summit is a true partnership between Witset First Nation and Summit Camps. We are extremely proud that Coastal GasLink has recognized this partnership and chosen us to deliver such an important part of their project. We have looked forward to this day since the project was announced in 2012 and couldn’t be happier.” - Mike Acko & Mike Barrette, Owners, M&M Resources (June 26, 2018)
“M&M is really happy to be working with Coastal GasLink. M&M is a true Aboriginal business and we really like what we see in how Coastal GasLink has approached this project. Safety and production is important to them, but so is providing opportunity to local Aboriginal businesses. We’re thrilled to have been selected to be part of Coastal GasLink’s team and we’re looking forward to starting work.”