Why BC LNG Development is Good for Jobs & the Economy

Why BC LNG Development is Good for Jobs & the Economy

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Why BC LNG Development is Good for Jobs & the Economy - cover

In the words of Karen Ogen, CEO of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, “Canadian LNG is Indigenous LNG.”

According to Indigenous leaders like Ogen, ownership and benefit agreements for major natural gas infrastructure projects across British Columbia are playing a critical role in advancing economic reconciliation with First Nations.

Yet, according to activist organizations such as the Sierra Club, LNG projects are “not a good plan for jobs or local economies” [1]. Additionally, LNG opponents suggest that advancing new export facilities to help Canadian natural gas reach new international markets is “not in our national interest.”

The facts tell a very different story.

Below, we take a look at just how economically impactful BC LNG development will be for Canadian and Indigenous jobs, businesses, and communities across the province. Also see:

Economic Impact of BC LNG Development

Ksi Lisims LNG supply pipeline will create up to 42,000 person-years of employment over lifecycle

In the words of Energy & Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, LNG projects are some of the “most impactful” projects Canada can do.

“What is very clear from the economic analysis that we do is that the royalty streams, the tax streams, and the good-paying jobs that come with these LNG facilities are amongst the most significant contributors to provincial budgets in terms of added revenues,” said Hodgson in testimony to the Standing Committee of Natural Resources back in February.

“And they are major, major contributors to tax bases. And so, from a Canadian perspective, just from an economic perspective, they're amongst the most impactful projects we can do.”

Hodgson is right. Each and every LNG infrastructure project – whether it be a natural gas supply pipeline like Coastal GasLink or a proposed facility like Ksi Lisims LNG – provides generational job and business opportunities for families province-wide, which we explore further, in note form, below.

Ksi Lisims LNG

  • The Ksi Lisims LNG facility will have a $16.8 billion total economic impact on the Canadian economy over a 30-year project lifecycle [2]
  • Ksi Lisims LNG will create up to 77,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions over 30 years, with 87% of those in BC [2]
  • The export facility will also generate up to $6.2 billion in labour income during its construction, much of which will be accounted for by local/regional employees, including Indigenous workers [2]
  • Ksi Lisims LNG will support more than 5,000 direct jobs during construction, and support 1,000 direct jobs during operations over its lifecycle [2]
  • Early construction highlights on the Ksi Lisims LNG supply pipeline highlighted more than 110,000 hours of employment, with Indigenous workers accounting for 30% – triple the average for large projects in the region [2]

LNG Canada Phase 1

  • LNG Canada will result in a 4% increase in national gross domestic product (GDP) – for a nation with a ~$3 trillion economy, this is significant [3]
  • As of July 2025, LNG Canada spent more than $5.8 billion in BC on procurement of goods and services during construction, where $4.9 billion was spent with local and Indigenous-owned businesses [5]
  • During peak construction, LNG Canada employed up to 8,000 workers in Kitimat, BC [4]
  • LNG Canada Phase 1 employed more than 50,000 workers over a six-year construction period including 300 full-time, permanent jobs for operations [5]
  • HaiSea Marine – a new business created as a result of LNG Canada – will operate tugboats to shepherd LNG carriers to and from port; the contract was valued at $500 million and will employ 70 mariners and 6 onshore staff [4]

Coastal GasLink Pipeline (CGL)

  • At peak construction, the CGL pipeline employed 6,000 workers – many of whom were Indigenous [4]
  • In total, CGL employed more than 25,000 Canadian & Indigenous workers over the project’s construction period [5]
  • CGL signed benefit agreements with all 20 First Nations along its 670-kilometre project route, all of which had the opportunity to participate in employment and business contracting opportunities during construction [6]
  • 17 of 20 First Nations along its route signed a 10% equity stake in the CGL pipeline project, ensuring long-term own-source revenues for their communities [7]

Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Pipeline (PRGT)

  • Ksi Lisims LNG’s supply pipeline, the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) line, is expected to support up to 8,000 jobs during peak construction [2]
  • The PRGT pipeline is also expected to create over 42,000 person-years of employment over its lifecycle [2]
  • PRGT is expected to generate $1.1 billion in federal tax revenues and $1.3 billion in provincial tax revenues over its lifecycle [2]
  • PRGT is also projected to create around $700 million for local municipalities over its lifespan [2]
  • 15 of 20 First Nations along the PRGT pipeline route have to-date signed benefit agreements that include equity ownership opportunities in the project [2]

Cedar LNG

  • Cedar LNG is estimated to generate $275 million in GDP during construction, and an additional $85 million annually over approximately 20-years [8]
  • Cedar LNG is anticipated to support 500 jobs during peak construction and another 100 permanent jobs during operations [9]
  • The Haisla Nation has a 1% stake in the Cedar LNG project, making it the largest Indigenous majority-owned infrastructure project of its kind in the world [10]

Woodfibre LNG

  • The economic impact benefit agreement between the Squamish Nation and Woodfibre LNG is worth more than $1.1 billion [11]
  • Woodfibre LNG is projected to support 1,600 jobs during construction and an additional 330 jobs during operations [11]
  • $872.4 million in contracts will be made available to Squamish Nation businesses [11]
  • Woodfibre LNG will make $225.6 million in cash payments to the Squamish Nation over 40 years – approximately $4.7 million per year

BC LNG: A Major Job Creator & Economic Boost

a Healthy LNG sector on BC's coast could generate up to 500 billion in economic activity for Canada

Both Indigenous and Canadian leaders have strongly advocated for BC LNG development and the positive economic impact the industry will have on local communities. For example:

On Ksi Lisims LNG Receiving BCEAO Permit:

“This is an important step – not just for PRGT, but for the Nisga’a Nation’s vision of self-determination and long-term prosperity. This project, and the Ksi Lisims LNG project, marks a turning point.

For too long, Indigenous Nations have watched resource development happen around us, instead of with us. PRGT is different – it is Indigenous-owned, Indigenous-led, and grounded in a model of partnership that puts our communities at the centre of decision making.

We are delighted that other Nations along the route have expressed interest in joining us as equity owners in PRGT. Together, we can shape a new era where Indigenous leadership is not the exception, but the expectation.”

Eva Clayton – President, Nisga’a Lisims Government [13]

On the Ksi Lisims LNG Facility:

“The Ksi Lisims LNG project has created a pathway to prosperity for BC’s northwest. The Kitselas people are proud to take these critical first steps in ensuring we are at the forefront of a new era of Indigenous economic leadership.”

Glen Bennett – Elected Chief Councillor, Kitselas First Nation [14]

On First Nations and LNG Development:

“First Nations are writing the roadmap to energy prosperity, a roadmap to owning our future. We will play our part as an advocate for energy development. We are closing the Indigenous Energy Gap. Canadian LNG is Indigenous LNG, and that is good for the world and good for all of us.”

Karen Ogen – FNNG Alliance CEO [15]

More Quotes on BC LNG Development:

The Truth About BC LNG’s Economic Impact

15 out of 20 first nations along Ksi Lisims LNG pipeline have signed agreements for equity stake options with project

When groups like the Sierra Club or other activist organizations suggest that BC LNG development is “not a good plan for jobs or local economies,” the question remains: can we take anything they say at face value?

The evidence above shows that LNG development is and will be a significant contributor to a stronger economy, not just for British Columbians and Canadians, but critically, for the Indigenous communities that are participating – and in some cases, have ownership – in these major projects.

Join Us Today!

LNG makes Canada Stronger

Join us today to engage in balanced, fact-based, and non-partisan discussions on Canada’s natural resource sectors and the jobs and economic opportunities that come with.

SOURCES:

1 - https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/

2 – Western LNG – Ksi Lisims LNG & PRGT Project Update, December 11, 2025 – see more at https://www.canadaaction.ca/economic-benefits-ksi-lisims-lng-project or https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/prgt-pipeline-expecting-final-investment-decision-in-early-2026-11665939

3 - https://www.canadaaction.ca/eby-lng-canada-economic-benefits-national-gdp

4 - https://www.biv.com/news/resources-agriculture/lng-canada-cgl-projects-employed-65k-canadians-says-outgoing-ceo-10086110

5 - https://www.lngcanada.ca/news/first-cargo-puts-canada-on-the-map-of-lng-exporting-nations/

6 - https://www.coastalgaslink.com/whats-new/news-stories/2018/2018-09-13coastal-gaslink-signs-agreements-with-100-per-cent-of-b.c.-elected-indigenous-bands-along-the-pipeline-route

7 - https://energynow.ca/2024/01/coastal-gaslinks-completion-is-key-to-unlocking-canadian-natural-gas-for-the-world/

8 - https://energynow.ca/2025/03/government-of-canada-announces-support-for-cedar-lng/

9 - https://www.cedarlng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Jobs-and-Opportunities-Factsheet-May-2025.pdf

10 - https://www.cedarlng.com/project/

11 - https://www.squamishchief.com/local-news/updated-deal-between-squamish-nation-and-woodfibre-lng-worth-over-11-billion-3349210

12 - https://www.biv.com/news/resources-agriculture/deal-between-squamish-nation-and-woodfibre-lng-worth-over-11-billion-8254548

13 - https://www.nisgaanation.ca/for-immediat-release-bc-eao-affirms-prgt-environmental-certificate/

14 - https://www.ksilisimslng.com/news/kitselas-first-nation-signs-landmark-agreement-with-ksi-lisims-lng

15 - https://fnnga.com/2025/12/31/the-alliance-year-powerful-messages-on-first-nations-and-lng/