Northern Health has provided an update on the outbreak previously declared at two Coastal GasLink accommodation sites in this Information Bulletin. Along with our prime contractor for this area, Pacific Atlantic Pipeline Construction (PAPC), we continue to collaborate with Northern Health to monitor the situation, as well as to develop a plan to safely resume operations, subject to public health approval.
On Jan. 13, 2021, Coastal GasLink President Tracy Robinson provided an update on the project:
President’s Message: Coastal GasLink vital to B.C.
“In late December, Coastal GasLink and other industry projects received an Order from the B.C. Public Health Officer significantly restricting the number of workers able to return to the work site in January 2021. B.C.’s Public Health Officer has provided a further update to the previously issued Order and additional guidance to five major industrial projects in Northern British Columbia.
We are currently working closely with our prime contractors on meeting the requirements in the Order and to develop a plan that, once approved, would enable an incremental increase in workforce in early February. While this will not enable a full remobilization of the project in the near term, additional critical activities may be initiated at this time.
A tremendous amount of work has been done over the early days of 2021 and I’m proud of our people for tackling this new challenge, including a team of safety, medical experts, construction and other experts who are focused on finalizing a comprehensive plan so that we can continue to gradually and safely increase the workforce along with activities, in accordance with Dr. Bonnie Henry and Northern Health guidance.
The long-term impacts to the overall schedule continue to be assessed and we are focused on delivering this project with our prime contractors, Indigenous and local community partners in a safe and efficient manner. In the immediate term there will be significant impacts to our ability to ramp up our workforce and progress project construction. We are committed to continuing to keep our local and Indigenous partners informed, as more clarity on the plan is understood.
Coastal GasLink is vital to the long-term prosperity of the North, B.C. and Canada, and we are proud to be part of a healthy economic recovery that supports local communities for the long-term. Above all else, we will always prioritize the health and safety of people while striving to achieve our commitment to creating an extraordinary legacy of safety and respect for all people, communities and the environment."
— Tracy Robinson, TC Energy Executive Vice-President, President Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines and President Coastal GasLink
Please continue to visit CoastalGasLink.com/Safety for COVID-19 updates.
