on the Coastal GasLink Project, with more than 1,000 women and men, many of them local and Indigenous, working across the 670-kilometre project right-of-way in January. Employment numbers are expected to grow as activities increase, with pipe assembly beginning this summer and continuing through 2022.
The project continues to to Indigenous and local communities; $870 million in contracts have been awarded since the Final Investment Decision was made in October 2018. As of November 2019, the most current figures available, the project has generated more than $107 million in local spend and more than $77 million in indirect economic spinoffs. This number will continue to grow.
Coastal GasLink鈥檚 workforce is expected to grow to 2,500 at peak of construction
鈥淣ot only does construction create , it creates demand for things like construction and maintenance equipment, food services, accommodation and more. Our contractors are mandated to source local wherever they can, including for equipment and supplies,鈥� said Dan Bierd, Coastal GasLink鈥檚 vice-president of pipeline implementation.
鈥淭here are also many indirect benefits to local communities,鈥� added Bierd.
For example, Fred Wilson of Northwest Truck Rentals in Smithers, B.C., is supplying rental vehicles to Coastal GasLink and its contractors.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud to support both Coastal GasLink and its partner, LNG Canada,鈥� said Wilson.
Just prior to the holidays, Wilson put his mechanic to work building a special lighted sign to show his support for the LNG project.
鈥淢y mechanic spent 39 hours making that sign from plywood. We wanted to bring some awareness to the project in our backyard,鈥� he added.
Fred Wilson from Smithers, B.C. is proud to support Coastal GasLink and LNG Canada
The represents the largest single private sector investment in Canadian history.
鈥淣ot only is my business benefitting, this project is bringing long-term economic benefits to our community 鈥� hotels, local industrial and supply stores, airlines and even local restaurants. I also see a lot of Indigenous businesses working out there and benefiting. This is making a real difference to local families and is important to the long-term sustainability of our community,鈥� said Wilson.
鈥淭he healthier our community is, the healthier the north is,鈥� he added.
Once complete, the project is estimated to contribute $20.88 million in annual property tax benefits that will support northern community services such as fire protection, policing, hospitals, schools and waste management.
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