Advertisement

Alberta oil and gas downturn means more workers available for BC’s Site C dam

The projected BC Hydro Site C Dam is pictured in an artist's rendering. BC Hydro handout/The Canadian Press

A downturn in the oil and gas industry in Alberta and northern British Columbia is providing a steady supply of skilled workers for the Site C hydroelectric project.

An independent review of the dam project in northeastern B.C. by Ernst and Young says the availability of workers in the Peace River region has increased since 2014 due to decreasing investments in the oil and gas sector and Alberta’s jobless rate of 8.6 per cent.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: Three-hour long waits at Site C job fairs in the Peace

Business analysts had warned of potential labour shortages because of a proposed liquefied natural gas project.

B.C. Hydro released the report today, which says Site C construction is on time and on budget.

The Crown corporation’s website says 1,500 workers will be employed at the main dam site by 2018.

Story continues below advertisement

The project has faced court challenges by area First Nations.

READ MORE: Courts quash First Nations’ bid to halt Site C

Amnesty International recently called for a stop work order on the project, saying it threatens indigenous rights.

Sponsored content

AdChoices