Northern Gateway Pipeline to create thousands of construction jobs

The federal government’s approval of Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipeline project has received a stamp of approval from different segments of the Canadian construction industry.

The $7.9 billion pipeline project in northwestern Canada – which is slated to span 1,177 kilometres from Bruderheim, Alta. to Kitimat, B.C. – is expected to create thousands of new construction jobs for workers across Canada. 

However, there were 209 conditions placed on the pipeline’s approval. Enbridge will take the next 12 to 15 months to work through the conditions. It is believed the project could be up and running by late 2018, but that date could be pushed back depending on negotiations with First Nations groups and the B.C. government.

Hunter Reid, CEO of TDT Crews Inc., which specializes in supplying crews of Canadian workers to regions across the country, said labour mobility will be critical. “This is a major project, creating a huge demand for skilled trades from other provinces, especially Ontario’s large skilled construction workforce,” he said. “This is a real opportunity for government and industry to support Canada’s skilled trades workforce, by hiring Canadians first for this project.”

Manley McLachlan, president of the British Columbia Construction Association, said natural resource development is central to a prosperous and competitive province, and projects like Northern Gateway promise to play a vital role in the growth of British Columbia’s economy. “More importantly, they will provide improved employment opportunities and enhanced training resources to our membership across northern B.C.,” he said.