Once the pomp and circumstance and political backslapping was out of the way, Monday’s four-billion-dollar announcement, kicking off Enbridge’s Sunrise Expansion Project took a brief right turn.
During a media question and answer session, B.C. Jobs Minister Ravi Khalon faced the crowd and addressed last week’s Canfor closure of the Northwood Pulp Mill, impacting 300 workers.
The facility is expected to close by the end of this year, resulting in an annual reduction of 300,000 tonnes.
Khalon stated assistance is on the way as meetings with Prince George Mayor and Council and Canfor remain ongoing.
“We have been working to put a community transition team in place as we are meeting with the company and the impacted workers in the city. We are pleased to hear the company is putting some dollars on to support workers and reposition them within the company.”
“Obviously it’s very tough news for the 300 people losing their jobs. It’s personal for me as my dad got laid off from a mill many years ago and I still remember the impacts it had to our family. It’s not only the workers but its their families as well.”
If for some reason, some of the impacted workers aren’t able to catch on elsewhere within Canfor, Khalon noted the Sunrise expansion is going to need to fill 2,500 jobs, half of which will be local opportunities.
“We are pleased there is a chance to reposition them and get people back to work as quick as possible so they can support the families and stay in this amazing community.”
Federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson who led the announcement of Enbridge’s major expansion, which runs through the northern capital stated such an announcement puts Canada back on the map for major project development.
“Canada can build big things, Canada will build big things, and Canada is building big things today. Here in Prince George, construction is underway, workers are on a site, and investment is flowing and Canada is building again.”
“Every kilometre built and every partnership formed and every worker hired and investment made helps us move closer to the prosperity, affordability and sustainability we all envision.”
Hodgson also met with Prince George Mayor and Council on Monday to discuss potential solutions to the reeling forestry sector.
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