Premier’s LNG Working Group recommendation road map

For Immediate Release
2014PREM0026-000419
April 3, 2014     Office of the Premier
Premier’s LNG Working Group recommendation road map

VICTORIA – Premier Christy Clark today accepted all recommendations in ‘The Premier’s Liquefied Natural Gas Working Group: Final Report’ as a road map to making sure British Columbia has the skilled labour force it needs to seize the opportunity of liquefied natural gas.

The report, produced by representatives of government, LNG proponents, organized labour, and the Haisla Nation, maps out 15 recommendations on planning, skills training, marketing and developing best practices within the LNG sector to attract a mobile workforce.

“To bring home the opportunity presented by LNG, we have to work together — government, industry, First Nations and labour,” said Premier Clark. “Everyone here today is working toward the same goal – making sure British Columbians benefit from this generational opportunity.”

Premier Clark called together the working group after her first meeting with representatives of organized labour in September 2013. At that historic meeting it was agreed that all parties would to work together to map out how they could work together to solve some of the complex challenges associated with the LNG opportunity.

“I want to thank the Premier for setting up the working group. I also want to thank the representatives of the Haisla Nation, industry, labour and government as it has been quite a process to come to agreement on the recommendations,” said Jim Sinclair, president of the BC Federation of Labour. “We were able to get beyond our differences by keeping our focus on what B.C. workers need to take advantage of the potential that lies in LNG. Now we have to ensure that the 15 recommendations are implemented.  This investment in the workers of British Columbia will lead to good jobs.  As we know, good jobs build a better B.C.”

The report includes one recommendation on developing a working group moving forward, four recommendations on skills training planning and implementation, two recommendations on marketing and promotions, three recommendations on apprenticeship trades and mentoring, two recommendations on a mobile workforce, one recommendation on timelines and two recommendations on the use of workers from other jurisdictions. The recommendations will be reflected in the 10-year skills training plan that will be released soon.

“Premier Clark recognized early the need for LNG workforce development in collaboration with industry, labour, and government,” said David Keane, vice president, policy and corporate affairs for BG Canada’s Prince Rupert LNG project. “Skills training is critical to ensure citizens of the province might realize the full economic benefits of LNG.”

Quick Facts:

In September 2013, the Premier convened a meeting between government and leaders of organized labour with an objective to outline the Province’s vision for the LNG industry and engage labour in a discussion about their role in making the opportunity achievable.
The result was the development of terms of reference and the establishment of the Premier’s LNG Working Group with representatives from organized labour, industry, First Nations and the Province.
From November 2013 to March 2014, the Working Group’s 18 representatives met nine times and the final report just presented to the Premier which contains 15 non-binding recommendations.

Learn More:

The Premier’s Liquefied Natural Gas Working Group: Final Report: http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/pubs/pdf/lng_final_report.pdf

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of Premier Christy Clark
sam.oliphant@gov.bc.ca
250 952-7252
Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
250 387-2799

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