Mary Ruth Snyder
CAMPBELL RIVER – The Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce has once again partnered with BC Hydro with a relaunch of the website — majorprojects.ca — in support of three upcoming proposed projects: the John Hart Dam seismic upgrade, the Ladore Spillway seismic upgrade and the Strathcona Dam water discharge upgrade. As the projects move forward, this website will connect local companies and workers with the procurement process and the major contractors.
BC Hydro worked collaboratively with business leaders, including the Chamber, to develop wide community awareness and engagement for the successful John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project which began in 2014 and was essentially completed in 2019. The proposed upgrades to the John Hart, Ladore and Strathcona dams are planned to begin in 2023 and 2024, with all projects complete by 2028.
The website majorprojects.ca is a central portal where suppliers and job seekers can connect.
What is a supplier?
A supplier is a business that wishes to provide materials, labour, equipment, technology or services to a project’s contractor.
What does this website offer suppliers?
It provides information and resources to suppliers throughout the planning and execution of major projects. Prior to the awarding of a contract businesses can view a project’s description and outline, including potential projected trade requirements and timelines. Notices of meetings and related news items are centralized into an easy to find format.
By making this information available, in advance of the actual awarding of the contract, local businesses are able to prepare and position themselves as an attractive resource to the prime contractor. We look to have the website ready to accept companies within a registry, so large project bidding companies can view them, by around March 2021 – stay tuned.
Job seekers
There are plans for opportunities during the BC Hydro procurement process for individuals to meet the project contractors — similar to the successful business-events held for the John Hart project. In addition, we recommend that you keep in touch with the various unions, North Island Employment Foundations Society, North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society, the Industry Training Authority and the Vancouver Island Construction Association.
Both suppliers and job seekers are encouraged to sign up for the E-News to stay current on how the capital projects are advancing to ensure their opportunity to participate.
BC Hydro has created the first in a series of video updates for each proposed project.
John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project Video #1
Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project Video #1
Strathcona Dam Water Discharge Upgrade Project Video #1
If you have any inquiries regarding the projects or Campbell River and the surrounding district, please reach out to Mary Ruth Snyder @ 250-650-7575 or Stephen Watson @ 250-755-4795.
Mary Ruth Snyder is Executive Director of the Campbell River and District Chamber of Commerce.
