Coastal GasLink supports B.C.’s healthy economic recovery
Coastal GasLink kicked off its summer construction program in July and is safely putting people back to work, providing well-paying jobs that support local families as part of British Columbia’s healthy economic recovery.
The project will break ground this month at its anchor points at either end of the 670-km pipeline; the compressor and meter station at Groundbirch where the pipeline begins, and the meter station in Kitimat, where it ends and connects to LNG Canada’s liquefaction facility – a $40-billion megaproject representing the largest private sector investment in Canadian history. Across the route, as construction activities safely grow, so will our workforce, with approximately 1,700 people expected to be working across the route by the end of July. With pipe stringing, welding and installation planned to begin in August, more jobs and opportunities will be added regularly.
“It would really be an eye-opener to people to see the amount of jobs that are created in the local communities,” said Mat Seguin, a Project Coordinator with Surespan Construction Ltd, who’s working on the project today.
More than just a number, the employment opportunities are one of the ways Coastal GasLink is proud to support a healthy economic recovery for communities in the north. “It’s really the people on the ground, who are employed, feeding their families, buying clothing for their kids. They’re being part of the economy, they can make money again and build a good life,” said Derek Orr, SA Energy Group’s Indigenous and Community Relations Manager.
With nearly 400 kilometres of pipe delivered to storage areas across the project route this past year, workers will be busy this summer assembling and welding pipe segments and eventually lowering them into the ground.
To help equip local Indigenous workers with the skills and certifications they need to be part of the project this summer, Coastal GasLink, together with one of its prime contractors, recently welcomed 12 trainees as part of the inaugural session of the Pathways to Prosperity Program. The dedicated ‘training-to-employment’ program was held at the newly-opened Vanderhoof Lodge, where participants received specialized training to kick start a long-lasting career in construction.
“There's so much room to grow in this industry, you can become an operator, welder, pipefitter – pretty much anything you can think of. It’s turned out way better than I expected,” said an excited Jonah Tom, a labourer currently working on the Coastal GasLink project.
Coastal GasLink’s commitment to partnering with Indigenous and local communities continues to create a wide variety of opportunities that will help support families in the north to get back on their feet after the setbacks created by the pandemic.
Derek Orr is part of the Coastal GasLink project today as SA Energy Group’s Indigenous and Community Relations Manager.
As always, the health and safety of our workforce, their families, and surrounding communities is at the forefront of everything we do. As we move into summer construction and peak activities, Coastal GasLink has implemented enhanced project-wide health and safety standards at all worksites and workforce accommodations in accordance with Dr. Bonnie Henry’s guidance.
“At the end of the day, we want our team to go home knowing their families are safe and that they can continue to provide for them,” added Giddens.
Work this summer will focus on environmental monitoring, clearing, grading, pipe assembly, and the construction of facilities.