Regional employment statistics:

• 19,890 job openings are expected in the North Coast and Nechako region to 2020; 30% of these (5,960) are expected to be newly created jobs.

• The year-to-date unemployment rate of 7.5% (as of January 2013) is lower than the same time last year at 11.6%.

Region-specific activities under the BC Jobs Plan include:
The Province is increasing capacity at Ridley Island in Prince Rupert by investing in the Port Authority Road, Rail and Utility Corridor (RRUC) project.

• This project is well underway, with a total of $90 million in funding now committed from CN and the Prince Rupert Port Authority ($30 million each), and from B.C. and Canada ($15 million each).
• Construction has started on the project, which will support new terminal developments at the port and boost Canada's trade capacity and exports to fast-growing Asia-Pacific markets.
• The RRUC investment will create 570 direct construction jobs over the life of the project and could facilitate up to 4,000 additional jobs across the province as future developments become operational.

In late 2012, the Prince Rupert Container Terminal reached a major milestone, shipping half a million cargo containers and surpassing its original design capacity. The port has created more than 45,000 jobs since August 2011, many in northern B.C.

The Coastal Gas Link Project will develop approximately 700 kilometres of pipeline to link Montney Basin, near Dawson Creek, to Kitimat.

The Province has reached agreements with First Nations to provide certainty for investors and more opportunities for Aboriginal communities and families. Agreements include:

• A framework agreement with Haisla First Nation that will facilitate a liquefied natural gas project.
• Nak'azdli Economic Community Development Agreement on mining revenue-sharing creates certainty for the Mt. Milligan mine project.

Red Chris Copper-gold mine near Dease Lake is moving forward with construction. The Province has also approved a major expansion of the Huckleberry Copper-Molybdenum Mine near Houston and the Endako Molybdenum Mine near Fraser Lake.

British Columbia's trade and investment representatives from key international markets have made a series of visits and tours throughout the province.

• These road shows allow the international representatives, who are based in priority markets throughout Asia, Europe and the United States, to build partnerships and relationships with B.C. businesses and communities in key regions and sectors, including natural gas, mining, biomass and technology.
• During the summer 2012 road show, the trade and investment representatives conducted meetings in the Northwest and North Coast, including the Fairview Container Terminal in Prince Rupert; the Kitimat liquefied natural gas facilities; and a reception with Haisla Chief Councillor Ellis Ross.

A series of workshops for local leaders has been developed to provide participants with training related to a full range of economic development activities in their communities, including attracting investment and supporting new and existing ventures.

• The workshops are designed for elected local government and First Nation officials and their staff.
• A local leaders workshop, facilitated by the Economic Development Association of B.C., was held in Burns Lake in November 2012 and in Terrace in March 2013.

A Northwest regional workforce table (RWT) was established in June 2012. In January 2013, the RWT released its regional skills training plan to align existing training in the Northwest with local employment opportunities. This plan will be implemented collectively by key partners in the region who will work closely with government throughout implementation.

The provincial government announced $3 million in funding in fall 2012 to allow Northwest Community College to purchase or replace skills training equipment, ensuring students are learning on the same calibre of equipment they find on the worksite.

Contact:
   
Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
250 387-2799