Coastal GasLink Awards Indigenous Groups Conditional Contracts

Coastal GasLink, the TransCanada unit that will build the 670-km pipeline to deliver feed gas to Anglo-Dutch Shell’s LNG Canada project, said June 26 it has awarded C$620mn ($465mn) of conditional contracts to indigenous BC businesses.

The contracts will cover the pipeline project’s right-of-way clearing, medical, security and camp management needs, and will be followed by another $400mn in additional contract and employment opportunities for First Nations and local communities during construction. All contracts are conditional on LNG Canada’s joint venture participants taking a positive final investment decision (FID), expected later this year.

“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, Coastal GasLink’s senior manager, indigenous and local contracting and employment. “Today is a testament to how important these relationships are and to the extraordinary accomplishments we can achieve when we work together.”

To date, nearly 35% of the work conducted on Coastal GasLink has been done by indigenous people, while 95% of the First Nations directly impacted by the project have signed project agreements, establishing long-term benefit programs tailored to meet the specific needs of indigenous communities. These agreements will also provide Indigenous groups a sustainable revenue source over the life of the project.

“Today’s announcement is an important step forward for Wet’suwet’en First Nation,” chief Vivian Tom said. “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.”