Recently, after receiving some information, I decided to try and find out a bit about the Site “C” dam. It is taking a while, but now that I am asking things a little more specific, the answers are becoming vaguer – interesting don’t you think. Read on and you decide ...
Good afternoon...
There has been lots of talk in the media in recent months and years with regards to new hydro projects, possible rate hikes, run of river proposals etc. I noticed more on the BC Hydro website regarding Site "C" and that the project is now in the Stage 3 -- Environmental and Regulatory Review -- process.
I am wondering if you might be able to help me with a couple of questions?? …. (what follows below is the alternating question / answer sequence) ….
Dear Alan,
Thank you for your email regarding employment numbers associated with the Site C Clean Energy Project……
Here’s my first question:
During the first two stages, can you tell me the number of people that were employed, the type of work this was (professional, trades, labourers). I am also wondering how well people from the north were able to benefit from this project compared to people hired from other areas of the province ... and Canada .
During the first two stages, can you tell me the number of people that were employed, the type of work this was (professional, trades, labourers). I am also wondering how well people from the north were able to benefit from this project compared to people hired from other areas of the province ... and Canada .
Answer:
During our Stage 2 work, BC Hydro contracted with many suppliers to conduct baseline studies in the Site C project area. This included environmental studies related to fish, wildlife, vegetation, water quality, recreation, heritage, and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, technical and engineering studies were conducted on a variety of topics related to the potential design, construction and operation of the proposed project.
My second question:
During the current 3rd stage, what kind of people / trades are being employed, how many, and where do they work (at the project, office else where, research labs??) -- again are they people from the local area, other areas of the province, or from other provinces in Canada
Answer:
In carrying out these studies, there were contractors, sub-contractors, field assistants and other individuals employed throughout the province. Some examples of local and regional employment include: sub-contractors from the Fort St. John area working on geotechnical and engineering studies, the local office of an environmental firm working on heritage studies, and local and First Nations assistants completing field studies for the heritage program.
All the firms conducting these studies are listed in BC Hydro’s Stage 2 Report: Consultation and Technical Review (available at bchydro.com/sitec).
My third question:
Lastly ... should the project go ahead, what kind of employment numbers would there be for men and women, what kind of payroll and taxes would it would generate -- and what benefits would the province would see, as well as the people and businesses of the region.
Lastly ... should the project go ahead, what kind of employment numbers would there be for men and women, what kind of payroll and taxes would it would generate -- and what benefits would the province would see, as well as the people and businesses of the region.
Answer:
The majority of jobs on the Site C project would be created during the construction period. If approved, Site C would create about 7,000 direct person-years of construction employment over an estimated seven-year construction period. In total, Site C is estimated to create 35,000 direct and indirect jobs through all stages of development and construction.
These jobs would include welders, machinists, carpenters, pipefitters, ironworkers, surveyors and labourers, just to name a few. These jobs will be located in the northeast, close to the construction site and there would be numerous job and business opportunities for local residents and suppliers. BC Hydro would also work with the region and First Nations to identify opportunities for skills training, jobs and economic development.
You may be interested to know that BC Hydro has created a business directory to provide interested businesses with information about possible opportunities with the proposed Site C Clean Energy project. Companies who sign up for the directory will receive email updates on potential business opportunities as they arise.
Thank you for your interest in the Site C project. To learn more about the project and to sign-up for email updates, please go to www.bchydro.com/sitec.
Best regards,
Project Team, Site C
1.877.217.0777
www.bchydro.com/sitec
sitec@bchydro.com
I think I will try again to see if I can get a few more specifics as I still do not know the number of people that worked in the early stages – and how many of them were from the area … they have said there will be “numerous” job and business opportunities but I still wonder what kind of breakdown that will be --- and I am sure they have a fairly good idea what that will be … and also still no answer to what the expected payroll and taxes would be from this project.
I’ll keep you posted, and in the meantime … I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops … with the thoughts, and questions, of one conservative.
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