Over 1,500 northerners attend Coastal GasLink open house and job fairs
Coastal GasLink welcomed over 1,500 northern British Columbians to its open house and job fair events this fall in nine communities along the project’s right-of-way. Between September to November, northerners and job seekers gathered for the opportunity to meet with Coastal GasLink project representatives, prime contractors, sub-contractors and union representatives in Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Fraser Lake, Kitimat, Terrace, Burns Lake, Houston, Prince George and Vanderhoof.
The events provided the opportunity for local and Indigenous community members to learn more about recent project work in their area, and for job seekers to connect and apply for job openings directly with prime contractors.
“There was a different feel at this round of events,” explained Joan Goldhawk, Manager of Indigenous and Community Relations for Macro Spiecapag Joint Venture (MSJV) – prime contractor for Sections 5 and 8 of Coastal GasLink. “It went beyond just receiving applications. The opportunity for in-person conversation gave us a chance to gain meaningful insight and share feedback with job seekers. These conversations create an avenue for success.”
MSJV successfully hired six candidates from the Fraser Lake area in Section 5, including four equipment operators and two labourers. With hiring continuing throughout the life of the project, MSJV values making continued connections with qualified locals.
“We created connections for today, and into the future,” added Joan.
Along with prime contractors Surerus Murphy Joint Venture, SA Energy Group, Pacific Atlantic Pipeline Construction Inc. (PAPC) and MSJV, other project representatives at the events included UA Piping Industry College, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), Teamsters, First Nation LNG Alliance, WorkBC, and the BC Construction Association (STEP/LNG Connect Program).
First year anniversary event celebrates Final Investment Decision
As part of this series, Coastal GasLink joined LNG Canada to host events in Kitimat, on Oct. 1 and Terrace, on Oct. 2, to mark the one-year anniversary of the project’s positive Final Investment Decision (FID). The events saw strong attendance with more than 600 attendees combined and served as a chance to celebrate the last year of progress and look ahead with Coastal GasLink President David Pfeiffer and LNG Canada CEO Peter Zebedee.
Did you know?
Local and Indigenous feedback has been key to the Coastal GasLink project from day one. Since 2012, Coastal GasLink’s open house and job fairs have provided an important space for connecting with and engaging the community as the project progresses.
Coastal GasLink is looking forward to hosting more events in Spring 2020. Stay tuned for more information.
By the numbers: Coastal GasLink open house and job fairs
- To date, Coastal GasLink has awarded $725 million in contracts to Indigenous and local communities
- Since 2012, Coastal GasLink has hosted 58 open houses and 25 economic summits.
- Peak employment on the project is anticipated from 2020-2023
- 1,595 locals and job seekers attended Coastal GasLink’s open house and job fairs in nine cities between September and November 2019, including:
| City | Attendees |
| Dawson | 35 |
| Chetwynd | 70 |
| Kitimat | 350 |
| Terrace | 275 |
| Fraser Lake | 150 |
| Burns Lake | 160 |
| Houston | 200 |
| Prince George | 200 |
| Vanderhoof | 155 |