LNG Canada says it has approved $937 million worth of contracts and subcontracts over the first three months of construction on its LNG project near Kitimat.
The firm says $175 million of that went to local First Nations businesses and the total increases to $330 million when contracts to Kitimat area businesses are factored in.
In a news release, LNG Canada’s Director of External Relations Susannah Pierce says the contracts and subcontracts represent a “tremendous opportunity” for people to find work, First Nations to tackle unemployment and skills development, and for young people to stay in the north.
During the first month of construction, the release says 249 workers from the local area, including First Nations, were employed by LNG Canada or one of its g contractors.
By the end of construction, LNG Canada and the Coastal GasLink pipeline, which would transport gas to the export facility, expect to employ about 10,000 Canadian workers.
Coastal GasLink has previously announced $620 million in contracts to First Nations, with an additional $400 million to be awarded during the rest of construction.
