TransCanada’s Coastal Gaslink Pipeline Project has signed community and project pacts with all of the elected Indigenous bands along its pipeline route in British Columbia, Canada.
Image: Map showing route of Coastal Gaslink Pipeline Project. Photo: courtesy of TransCanada.
These agreements, totaling 20 across the province, exemplify the strong Indigenous support received for the proposed natural gas pipeline project in B.C.
Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project president Rick Gateman said: “This is an important milestone for the Coastal GasLink team.
“When we first began this project over six years ago, our goal was to build more than just relationships with First Nations communities in B.C.; it was to build trusted partnerships, and that has made all the difference. We are grateful to these First Nations communities for this opportunity and appreciate the incredible support they have shown us over the years.”
The contracting and employment opportunities along with the long-term benefit programs set forth in the agreements were designed specifically for each community along the route, providing Indigenous groups with job opportunities and sustainable sources of revenue over the life of the project.
Support for the agreements comes from the elected leaders of the 20 Indigenous bands indicated below as well as from several traditional and hereditary leaders within these communities.
The project continues to hold discussions with some hereditary governance groups and is optimistic that additional agreements may be reached in the near future, should the project receive a positive final investment decision from LNG Canada.
Witset First Nation councilor Gary Naziel said: “Today’s announcement is a testament to what we can accomplish when industry and First Nations work together.
“This project will provide jobs, contracts and financial benefits that Witset First Nation can use to enhance programs and initiatives for our citizens, such as language and cultural programs. We look forward to continuing to work together with the Coastal GasLink project toward these common goals.”
In addition to finalizing these agreements, the Coastal GasLink project also awarded approximately $620 million in conditional contracting and employment opportunities to northern Indigenous businesses this past July.
That announcement kicked off a series of signing ceremonies hosted by Indigenous communities across the province. The program provided community members, businesses and contractors with an opportunity to participate in communal gatherings, traditional songs and prayers to celebrate the important milestone.
The project anticipates another $400 million in contracting opportunities for local and Indigenous businesses during the construction period, bringing the total to approximately $1 billion for B.C.
Source: Company Press Release