Coastal GasLink (CGL) is a great news story, one that we should all remember for the positive benefits it has had on workers and communities along its route while finally allowing Canada to sell our natural gas to the world.
Now mechanically complete, the transmission pipeline is set to transport natural gas from Northeastern British Columbia to liquefaction and export facilities on the West Coast, playing an instrumental role in boosting the economy here at home and underpinning energy security abroad.
Since construction activities began at the start of 2019, CGL has created significant economic opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous workers and communities, including:
- 25,700+ full-time equivalent jobs created in B.C.
- $1.8 billion spent on local and Indigenous businesses
- $13 million invested in local communities
- 10% equity stake with 17 First Nations along its route
Apart from the economic stats, there is a real good news story on the ground to tell from the 6,000+ workers who, over a five-year period, built the first pipeline to Canada’s West Coast in more than 70 years.
Below are several quotes from various CGL workers sharing the significance of the project to themselves, their families, and their communities at large. Also see:
“Growing up in the area, it’s great to see a project like this come through. It’s great to be a part of Duz Cho’s program on this project. It’s created jobs for our communities, it’s created jobs for our kids in the future, jobs for everyone to come, so it’s a great project.”
Chris – Superintendent, Duz Cho Construction
“I’ve just gotten so much experience out here that it just made everything crystal clear that they were teaching me there. Now that I’ve started my own company, I’ll be taking that knowledge and applying it to my company.”
Ashley – Environmental Inspector, CGL
“Coastal GasLink really aligns with my values as far as environmental impact, Indigenous relation consulting. The entire project is very one of a kind at this time and it feels very important, and I feel honoured to be a part of the project.
It makes me feel proud, because I know that the amount of environmental work they’ve done to reduce the impact that they’re having on the environment is so above and beyond that I am thankful and happy and I know that the territories… is in good hands, and that they care as much as I do.”
Sharelle – Unist’ot’en, Wet’suwet’en, Field Administrator, CGL
“Every day, I get to change lives because I get to invite people in to have opportunities to become a pipeliner and see if it’s for them, and then just work with them and support them all the way through the process.”
Jaimee, Indigenous & Community Relations, CGL
“I’m still in kind of awe… that I’m on such a big project in Canada. In 20 years, I can say to my grandkids – I’ve been working on that.”
Noel – Nadleh Whut’en, Construction Monitor and Community Liaison Advisor, CGL
“Coastal GasLink is epic, to say the least. And I think it’s amazing for our country and the doors it’s going to open and create a lot of pathways for us and lots of amazing opportunities in my life for me, that I wouldn’t have had if it wasn’t for this project.”
Brandon, Welder, CGL
“Canada is at the forefront of environment and of safety in most parts of the world that I’ve been involved in.”
Bernie, Inspector, CGL
“They’re the first-ever industry that included us in the planning, the executing of everything that was going on and we’re a major part of it, and we’re working alongside them. 670 kilometres, we Wet’suwet’ens have 120 kilometres of it to do, and we’re going to do it efficiently, safely, environmentally friendly, and culturally sensitively.”
Edward, Construction Monitor and Community Liaison, CGL
“We were proud of the process to just establish such a great thing for our territories and on our land. We are happy to be a part of it. And one day our great-grandchildren will read history about us.”
Shirley, Skin Tyee Nation, Construction Monitor and Community Liaison Advisor, CGL
“What this does for our community is that it builds a relationship where it’s two-fold. We had two HDDs and a DPI under some of our waterways and some of our members’ traplines, and they’re completed. And the animals are coming back, and the birds are coming back, and the fish wasn’t disturbed. They had monitors for that. And I think that’s also important to know that we can still visit our lands.”
Yvonne, Salteau First Nations and Construction Monitor and Community Liaison, CGL
“They’re really environmentally concerned. Really environmentally concerned. I watched them and I listened to them. And like I said, this is history, and this is known worldwide, this job.”
Edward, Kitselas First Nation and Construction Monitor and Community Liaison, CGL
“We are in the 21st century. Right now, people – they are dying because it’s cold. People, they are dying because they have no food. So this kind of company, and this kind of job, it’s totally supporting all humanity, in all the world.”
Aws, Ukrainian Refugee and Quality & Engineering, CGL
“Signing an equity agreement… gives us an opportunity for long-term financial sustainability. And when we benefit, when First Nations communities benefit, the whole region, the province, Canada benefits. All of us benefit together.”
Priscilla, Chief, Saik’uz First Nation
The World Needs More Canadian Energy
It’s clear that CGL is more than just a pipeline; it has been instrumental in weaving a tapestry of opportunity, growth, and unity across communities in Canada.
The stories from the workers above are just a few of many illuminating the profoundly positive impact this natural resource project and others like it have on families across the country.
Join us today to learn more about why we should be a go-to supplier of choice for the energy, mining, agriculture, and forestry products the world needs.
Share This:
