Report Says Estimated Jobs Through LNG Deal Are "Grossly Overstated"

A Canadian think tank says, based on their research, British Columbia’s deal with LNG will not produce as many job as the provincial government is predicting.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the job estimates stated by Premier Christy Clark have been inflated.

Photo Credit: Christy Clark/Twitter

The report states that Clark had previously claimed the LNG deal would create as much as 100,000 jobs and the Pacific NorthWest LNG project, which is headed by Petronas, would create 4,500 jobs alone.

"In its submission to BC's Environmental Assessment process, Petronas estimates that about 3,500 workers would be required at 'peak construction,’" says report author and CCPA Senior Economist Marc Lee. "After a short construction period, however, the plant will only employ 200 to 300 full-time permanent workers."

CCPA says the 100,000 job estimate comes from a throne speech made pre-election, based on numbers calculated by Grant Thornton. CCPA says the report from GT did come with a disclaimer which stated the figures did come from the government itself.

“There was no reason to hire GT aside from creating an appearance of independent analysis,” said Lee.

Lee also states there are many other issues plaguing recent statements about the LNG deal, including the assumption that five plants will be built and undisclosed assumptions about LNG facilities.

He suggests the government should take a different approach when it comes to job creation.

“BC could play a climate leadership role again by creating new jobs in transportation, building retrofits, clean energy and zero waste – all areas that will lower our greenhouse gas emissions, unlike LNG," said Lee.

To view the full report click HERE.