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NORTHERN BC – Hundreds of residents, workers, small business owners and members of First Nations communities in BC’s northwest are rallying in support of LNG.
What started as a single event in Terrace has now spread to Fort St. John and Fort Nelson.
Lucy Praught, a community consultant, says it’s time for people like her, who support LNG, to stand up and be heard. Right now Canada’s Environment Minister is deciding on the future of the Pacific NorthWest LNG project.
“It’s important for people to understand we are ready to work. It’s been tough in northwestern B.C. for a while. We are ready to dust each other off and make it happen,” says Praught.
Fort St. John event organizer Alan Yu was recently laid off from his job servicing 2-way radios for the energy sector.
“I am worried the United States, a major customer for B.C. natural gas will soon be self-sufficient. Jobs are at stake,” he says.
Kristi Leer is a single mom with two children who has lived in Fort Nelson her entire life.
“I am scared Fort Nelson is going to disappear. I really enjoy this town. I was born and raised here. I want to keep that for my kids,” says Leer.
While the local economy is important, participants are keenly aware jobs also depend on responsible stewardship of the environment. Chief Councillor Joe Bevan of the Kitselas First Nation is speaking at the rally in Terrace.
“Our position on LNG is based on due diligence – not just our own but the work done by other First Nations in the Northwest, the large majority of whom share our position,” said Bevan. “As long as proponents maintain strong environmental standards, we support LNG because it brings jobs and growth to our Nation.”
“These events represent a groundswell of grassroots support from the silent majority of BC residents who support the Pacific NorthWest LNG project and the jobs that come with it. We applaud their collective efforts.” says Gord Stewart, Senior V.P. Independent Contractors and Businesses Association. The ICBA represents the interests of more than 1,200 members of B.C.’s construction industry.
If approved, the Pacific Northwest LNG project would create up to 4,500 jobs during construction, 330 long-term operational positions and roughly 300 local spin-off jobs.
Rallt Locations: Wednesday March 16th, 2016
- Terrace: 12PM, trucks finish at parking lot at the Skeena Mall, across from Terrace City Hall
- Fort St. John: 12PM, trucks finish at Rotary Park/Charlie Lake Boat Launch, Charlie Lake Provincial Park.
- Fort Nelson: Trucks finish at Tim Horton`s, 5001 Cordova Way
- Follow along on social media using the following hashtags: #bcrallyforjobs | #FNforLNG | #FSJforLNG
