With talks of LNG Canada’s second phase becoming more and more of a reality, the mayor of Kitimat said the proposed expansion could bring decades of jobs, economic growth and long-term stability to the community.
The comments came after the federal and provincial governments, along with LNG Canada, announced an enhanced co-operation agreement aimed at advancing remaining work tied to a potential final investment decision later this year.
Germuth said any announcement showing continued support for the project was positive news for Kitimat.
“Having other levels of government come in and just reiterate their support is nothing but good,” Germuth said.
He noted LNG Canada had already had permits in place for years, adding the project could have moved ahead with Phase 2 earlier.
LNG Canada’s Phase 1 project transformed Kitimat into one of the largest construction hubs in the country over the past several years, bringing thousands of workers to the region during construction of the export facility and the Coastal GasLink pipeline connection.
If approved, Germuth said the expansion would be significant for the local economy and community, comparing it to the years-long construction activity seen during Phase 1.
“It would still be probably three or four years of having thousands of workers rotating in and out, as Phase 1 was,” he said. “They managed that very well, so we have no doubt they’ll do the same thing on Phase 2.”
Germuth said local hiring is one area where he hopes improvements can be made if Phase 2 moves ahead. He said there were still opportunities for more workers from Kitimat and Terrace to get involved during the first phase of the project.
“LNG Canada had a great focus on hiring locals first, and that was great,” Germuth said. “But then of course the general contractor takes over, and we saw maybe some misses there.” he said
Germuth also highlighted the importance of partnerships with First Nations, saying collaboration with Indigenous communities has been a major part of the project’s success so far.
“I think LNG Canada did a phenomenal job of that right from day one,” he said. “On the pipeline route, to get all the First Nations involved, I think they did a really good job on that.”
He pointed to the Haisla Nation’s involvement in Cedar LNG as an example of how resource development partnerships can create long-term opportunities for Indigenous communities.
Looking ahead, Germuth said a successful Phase 2 project would provide Kitimat with decades of jobs, tax revenue and economic stability.
“Well, long term, It would be four decades of the jobs and the tax base and everything else that a project brings,” Germuth said. “It’s great to get another player in the game here and to work with the community.”
If Phase 2 of LNG Canada gets approved, it would add two more liquefaction trains to the Kitimat facility, significantly increasing the site’s LNG export capacity and bringing another major wave of construction activity to the region.
