First Nations business professionals are learning how to tap into liquefied natural gas (LNG) opportunities in British Columbia at a national Aboriginal business conference running today and tomorrow.

The National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference showcases successful private-sector, Aboriginal business ventures. It also gives First Nations businesses and communities a chance to network with private businesses for economic development opportunities.

One of the biggest economic development opportunities on the horizon in B.C. is LNG. First Nations businesses are being shown how they can easily connect with LNG opportunities through the LNG-Buy BC program. Provincial LNG-Buy BC Advocate Gordon Wilson is leading the LNG-Buy BC Workshop and will highlight:

• Getting to the facts about LNG.
• Discussing the opportunities for businesses to participate in LNG projects.
• LNG-Buy BC program efforts and the new online tool: LNGBuyBC.ca (lngbuybc.force.com)
• Examples of how B.C. businesses of all types can successfully engaged in LNG.
• What’s next for LNG-Buy BC.

A workplace health-and-safety workshop, sponsored by the LNG-Buy BC program and the Employers’ Advisers Office, will outline what is required of businesses looking to qualify for major project work. This workshop is the first of a series of information sessions planned for this year aimed at helping B.C. businesses prepare to participate in LNG project supply chains.

An Aboriginal Business and Investment Council (bcabic.ca) (ABIC) booth is featured. The ABIC mandate is to help improve First Nations participation in the economy and promote economic certainty in the province by encouraging economic growth in Aboriginal communities.

The ABIC booth is demonstrating the First Nations Economic Development Database (fnedd.ca) . It provides a single source of factual information about economic activities initiated by First Nations. Approximately 1,200 Aboriginal businesses are signed up for the database already, and participants can learn how to sign up themselves.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“We are anticipating a time of incredible growth and diverse economic opportunities in British Columbia. I commend participants for taking the time to attend the National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference. There will be a great deal of helpful information, including an overview of the LNG-Buy BC program. We want to ensure that B.C. businesses, including Aboriginal businesses, are positioned to take advantage of the benefits that a growing economy will generate.”

LNG-Buy BC Advocate Gordon Wilson -

“The development of an LNG industry will quite likely be the single largest ‎investment in the history of British Columbia. It is right that First Nations businesses are at the forefront as this industry emerges and British Columbians engage. The opportunities will extend well beyond business into communities providing lasting benefits for decades to come.”

Chair of the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council Ellis Ross -

“ABIC is a strong supporter of the National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference. We’re looking forward to connecting with participants. We’re also eager to see First Nations businesses, both small and large, learn about how they can get involved with the wealth of LNG-related business that’s coming to Northern British Columbia.”

John Rustad, Minister for Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

“The emerging LNG industry offers enormous economic opportunity for Aboriginal communities. The Province is committed to strong partnerships with First Nations so they are able to benefit from well-paying jobs and skills training, including collaboration on environmental stewardship in their traditional territories.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. has an enormous supply of natural gas, an estimated 2,933 trillion cubic feet.
• Through the BC Jobs Plan, British Columbia can grow the economy and create jobs by ensuring that the LNG-Buy BC Program facilitates connection of project proponents with both small and large businesses in every corner of the province.
• To keep B.C.’s economy diverse, strong and growing, since Sept 2011 the BC Jobs Plan has been building on the strengths of eight of the province’s key sectors, thanks to an educated and skilled workforce.
• Aboriginal Peoples/First Nations are included as a strategic priority within the BC Jobs Plan 3 Year Progress Update. This confirms the B.C. government’s support in the growth of Aboriginal business.
• The LNG-Buy BC tool is a key avenue to strengthen Aboriginal business growth.

Learn More:

LNG-Buy BC program and to register for LNG-Buy BC online tool: https://lngbuybc.force.com/

National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference:
http://theeventpros.ca/conferences/2014-NABOC-PrinceRupert.html

Aboriginal Business and Investment Council: http://www.bcabic.ca/

First Nations Economic Development Database: www.FNEDD.ca

First Nations Jobs Makers:
http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/job-makers/lheidli-tenneh-nation-britco-partnership/

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799