Progressive Contractors Association of Canada Applauds BC Government for its Continued Focus on LNG and Investment in Skills Training

EDMONTON, Feb. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) applauded the BC Government for its continued focus on LNG development and for investing in skills training.  PCA believes that these initiatives will boost the economy, create jobs and train workers to fill those jobs.

"This budget delivers good news for BC workers and job seekers," said PCA President Paul de Jong. "The government is maintaining its targeted focus on the LNG industry as part of an economically strong British Columbia.  The measures announced today on skills training also ensure that BC will continue to build the skilled workforce that industry needs."

Today's budget contained several measures directly relevant to PCA member companies and their workers, including:

• An LNG Taxation Framework, an important step in the development of this industry
• Investments in developing the LNG industry including support for environmental assessments
• Increased funding for skills training

The construction companies that make up PCA have been involved in some of BC's most important construction projects and are poised to play a key role in building LNG export facilities.

"Our member companies and their workers are ready to help build the infrastructure needed to export British Columbia's abundant natural gas resources," said Mr. de Jong.  "Each step that the government takes to provide the certainty needed for projects to proceed is another step towards a major boost to the economy and employment."

PCA has repeatedly raised the alarm over the growing skills shortage and its impact on the economy and so was pleased with today's announcement of increased funding to train skilled workers.

"Construction employers across Canada are facing an increasing shortage of skilled workers, so this budget's boost in training is essential to creating the workforce needed to seize economic opportunities like LNG," said Mr. de Jong. "We are pleased that the BC government has taken these positive steps."

About the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA)

PCA is the voice of progressive unionized employers in Canada's construction industry. PCA member companies employ more than 25,000 skilled construction workers across Canada, represented primarily by CLAC. Our member companies are responsible for 40 percent of energy and natural resource construction projects in British Columbia and Alberta and are leaders in infrastructure construction across Canada.

PCA's goal is to ensure that Canada has a fair and open construction industry, cooperative labour relations, and a robust, inclusive and highly-capable workforce. PCA believes in open competition in which no sector is given artificial and unfair advantage over another on the basis of union affiliation or lack thereof.

SOURCE: Progressive Contractors Association of Canada

For further information:

Media inquiries: Paul de Jong, [e-mail], 403-620-3781