VANCOUVER – Over 3,000 participants took part in British Columbia’s International LNG Conference which ran from October 14 – 16 at the Vancouver Conference Centre. “British Columbia is on the verge of creating a clean, innovative new industry, expanding our capacity to provide clean energy to Asia, and attracting new investments to secure jobs throughout the province,” said Premier Christy Clark.
“This year’s conference provided a rich experience for everyone, including thousands of students who have new, exciting career options to look forward to.”
The third annual conference, entitled: Clean Energy. Reliable Partner – broke new ground for energy discussions in British Columbia with industry proponents and experts, investors, First Nations, market analysts, and students all congregating in Vancouver for three days. In total, 12 panels catered discussions around three main themes: investment, technology and Innovation, and partnerships.
“This event brought everyone together, under one roof, to advance British Columbia’s participation in the global energy market,” said Minister of Natural Gas Development Rich Coleman. “Industry, First Nations, government – we are all working together to reach our province’s potential in natural gas supply and export.”
A major aspect of this year’s conference focused on youth and skills training. The size of the tradeshow floor was increased to introduce a new, dynamic program called GameChanger, challenging students with the same creative-thinking skills professionals use in the natural gas sector.
“LNG presents a tremendous opportunity in B.C. Over 2,000 young people attended the conference to get information about in-demand jobs and the Find Your Fit exhibit helped them to have a hands-on experience,” said Shirley Bond Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labor.
“The LNG Buy BC program also provided businesses with an opportunity to learn more about how they can benefit from a future LNG industry. We will continue to work with our partners, communities across the province and businesses to ensure that they are connected to the latest information preparing them to benefit both now and in the future.”
B.C.-based businesses were also a central aspect of the tradeshow, connecting international delegates with service sectors throughout the province. On October 15 the Province announced new trades training funding under the Canada-BC Job Grant. As well, LNG Canada introduced a new LNG Canada – Trades Training Fund. Both initiatives will support British Columbia with the skills necessary to work in the natural gas sector.
Developing a LNG export industry will build on B.C.’s 50-year history of safe exploration and make the province’s most promising natural resource into an exportable commodity, creating new jobs and securing new economic growth. The Canadian Research Institute recently indicated natural gas developments in British Columbia will increase employment (direct, indirect and induced) from 52,720 jobs in 2015 to 156,000 by 2035.
Quick Facts:
LNG in BC Conference 2015 by the numbers:
- 3,000 participants over three days, including 91 speakers.
- Representation from 58 B.C. communities and 37 First Nations.
- Hundreds of exhibits, including 95 LNG-Buy BC exhibitors and 20 Aboriginal companies.
- As of Oct. 15, 2015, there are 769 businesses registered in the LNG-Buy BC Online Tool.
- Delegates from more than 10 countries, including Australia, China, Japan, India, Korea, Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United States.
