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Dates for networking opportunities not determined yet: Coastal GasLink

Coastal GasLink plans to connect northern B.C. residents with prime contractors
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With a positive final investment decision for the Kitimat-based liquefied natural gas facility announced earlier this month, Coastal GasLink aims to begin construction of their 670-km pipeline from the Dawson Creek area to the west coast of B.C. in early 2019. (TransCanada image)

Earlier this year Coastal GasLink told Black Press that once prime contractors were selected, the company would notify communities and tour the region to promote local contracting employment.

READ MORE: Coastal GasLink responds to Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako concerns

But although the company selected their prime contractors in June, Coastal GasLink has not announced any networking opportunities for Houston area residents to date.

READ MORE: Coastal Gaslink pipeline contractors tentatively hired

According to Terry Cunha, a Coastal GasLink spokesperson, Coastal GasLink is currently planning networking opportunities for local individuals and businesses to connect with their prime contractors.

“These dates have not been determined yet, but we want to be proactive in making connections,” he said. “Due to the duration of the project, hiring will be on a regular basis in different areas of the project.”

TransCanada says an estimated 2000 to 2500 “high-quality, well-paying jobs” will be created across the region during Coastal GasLink’s four-year construction period.

In October 2017 the RDBN sent a letter to the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission raising several concerns over the proposed pipeline project. One of these concerns was the fact that Coastal GasLink had made no specific commitments regarding the use of local employment and the provision of apprenticeship positions for local employees.

In a letter sent to the RDBN board earlier this year responding to some of these concerns, Coastal GasLink said that when it comes to local hiring the company goes “beyond the industry standard.”

However, the company did not specify how many workers would be hired locally.

No date set for Huckleberry Camp’s construction

According to Coastal GasLink, it’s still unclear when the Huckleberry Camp, a workforce camp to be located 28 km south of Houston, will be built.

“The camp is still proposed and we are working with camp contractors to finalize requirements,” said Terry Cunha, a Coastal GasLink spokesperson, last week.

READ MORE: Plans for Huckleberry camp still on track

The camp, which will be located near Morice River Road and Morice River Forest Service Road, is expected to accommodate approximately 800 workers to support the Coastal GasLink pipeline’s construction needs.

Although workers would likely commute to Houston for some services, many of the amenities they need would be found on site, including camp catering and medical services.

With a positive final investment decision for the Kitimat-based liquefied natural gas facility announced earlier this month, Coastal GasLink aims to begin construction of their 670-km pipeline from the Dawson Creek area to the west coast of B.C. in early 2019.


 

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