The BC Construction Association welcomes Wednesday’s (Aug. 21) announcement by Trans Mountain Corporation President and CEO Ian Anderson that construction work on the project will resume in communities along the route, including an immediate return to work at B.C.’s Burnaby Terminal and Westridge Marine Terminal. According to Trans Mountain, this will see 4,200 contract workers working along the route in B.C. and Alberta in the fourth quarter of 2019.

For the apprentices and tradespeople in BC’s industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector, we believe the project represents an opportunity to develop their skills and gain valuable experience, as well as an opportunity to secure meaningful employment that supports their families and communities. If approvals are received as anticipated, the Trans Mountain Expansion Project is expected to be in-service by mid-2022.

We agree that a project of this nature must only take place in a way that respects Canada’s commitments to environmental responsibility and meaningful engagement with indigenous people and organizations.