The LNG industry is creating a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enable strong economic growth and provide employment opportunities for local companies throughout British Columbia, like Prince Rupert-based Inlet Express.

As Small Business Month wraps up, it’s important to note that the LNG-Buy BC program has at its core a firm belief that the entrepreneurial spirit, skills and innovative abilities of B.C. businesses will lead to a high level of success regardless of where they enter the LNG supply chain.

Over the past three years, Inlet Express has worked extensively with LNG proponents who are considering project sites on the north coast. The company is experiencing a significant increase in business in the geosciences, ocean sciences and construction sectors.

Inlet Express provides a full suite of high-calibre marine transportation vessels to service the resource and industrial sectors and isolated coastal communities. It serves a variety of project needs including expediting, crew and freight transport, ocean science, construction and helicopter support. 

Most recently Inlet Express entered into a strategic alliance with Valard Dive Services to offer commercial diving to support marine infrastructure assessment, construction and non-destructive testing (NDT) requirements.

Quotes:

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

“We’re entering an exciting time for businesses in B.C., and LNG is poised to become one of our province’s key industries. The government has put in place a number of resources to help businesses get involved and connect local suppliers with industry, including the LNG Buy-BC business kit and online tool. With thousands of job openings and benefits for B.C. business to emerge from LNG activities, we need to ensure British Columbians have the skills as well as tools they need to seize these opportunities.”

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch –

“The LNG Buy-BC tool and business kit are helping B.C. companies like Inlet Express harness their potential and seize once-in-lifetime opportunities. I’m proud that local companies have the high-calibre skills to compete in the world marketplace.”

John Turpin – president, Inlet Express

“I’ve had the opportunity to engage with some of the larger LNG contractors and have had available to me the tools necessary to be successful. One of the biggest things is prequalifying with these companies. I think the most important thing you’ve got to show is that it’s a local business, that you bring a lot of value added to the project with your local knowledge and the ability to access other contractors for them and team up with your other colleagues within the community and provide a wide range of services.”

Quick Facts:

• The LNG opportunity is strengthening B.C.’s economic future. If five LNG plants are built in B.C., it could:
  • Generate a total investment of $175 billion.
  • Contribute up to $1 trillion to the province’s gross domestic product.
  • Create up to 100,000 direct, indirect and induced LNG-related jobs.
• As of September 2015, there are 20 projects proposing to produce LNG for export along B.C.’s coast
• A large resource base of natural gas in northeastern B.C. – almost 2,800 trillion cubic feet – could support domestic and export markets for the next 150 years
• B.C. has one of the highest small business confidence numbers in Canada.
• The Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ Barometer shows a positive outlook, and 47% of business owners say the state of their business is ‘good’;
  • 20% of small business owners in B.C. indicate they plan to add full-time staff; and
  • B.C.’s small business confidence has been among the highest in Canada for over a year.
• Small businesses in B.C. generate 33% of the province’s gross domestic product and the government will continue to support them.

Learn More at:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Wig2SmSMz28

LNG-Buy BC Program: www.LNGBuyBC.ca

BCBid: www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills