Seize the Opportunity to Become a Global LNG Leader – Gitga’at Waiward at the CGLNG Conference

March 13, 2023

On May 9, 2023, the Canada Gas and LNG Conference will be in Vancouver, British Columbia. Andy Brooks and Joe Bevan from Gitga’at Waiward Industrial will be part of the discussion on ‘The Mutual Advantages of Partnership and Cooperation’, which will include the following key topics:

• Highlight the major economic development projects that can bring giant revenues, world-class training, long-term jobs, and substantial First Nation and industry sector growth.
• Providing opportunities for the indigenous community’s participation in nature-based solutions.
• Formally committing to working together to find solutions to these impacts through revenue-sharing agreements and authentic action plans.

Gitga’at Waiward Industrial has been involved with the LNG Canada project since 2020 with the contract to supply stick-built structural steel used to construct several on-site facilities. Most recently, in October 2022, they were awarded the Main Industrial Site Services contract to perform routine and non-routine maintenance work, major maintenance, site modifications, and turnaround/shutdown work at the LNG Canada facility located in Kitimat, British Columbia.

“On behalf of LNG Canada, I would like to congratulate Gitga’at Waiward Industrial for bringing their skills and expertise to our company,” said Jason Klein, CEO of LNG Canada. “We are proud to work with local First Nations to create opportunities that benefit B.C. communities while contributing to a project of national and international significance.”

Waiward Industrial President and CEO Andy Brooks sat down with the Canada Gas and LNG Conference team for a Fireside Chat to speak about the evolving LNG sector and more.

How is Canada’s gas and LNG sector evolving?

Andy: Canada, relative to countries like Qatar, Australia, the United States, and many others, has had a challenging time developing our LNG export industry. There’s still tremendous opportunity for Canadian projects, specifically indigenous zones like Cedar LNG.

We may have been slow out of the gate, but the good news is the opportunity still exists, and we have all the tools, people, and supplies to be a global leader. We also have 1.4 million cubic feet of resources—the know-how, partnership, collaboration, and wherewithal to stake our claim. The market is there, the global demand is there, the supply is there, and our competitive advantage is there.

It sets itself up for success when you realize that it takes 10 days to ship between British Columbia and China versus 24 days from the U.S. Gulf Coast. We have a tremendous responsibility to help transition the world to a low-carbon future while still providing emerging countries with a safe and secure low-emission energy supply. We all know that non-emitting energy sources are increasing rapidly and significantly, so the projected export of liquefied natural gas spurs investment in natural gas and production. Natural gas production will increase to help fill this demand; it’s only natural gas in short, the sectors are evolving rapidly, and Canada will take its place among the leaders. As an example, the work completed by LNG Canada shows how we can do it and make our mark. We also know in this world, nothing is predictable, so we must seize this opportunity to be that leader.

About CGLNG

The 9th edition of Canada Gas & LNG Exhibition and Conference (CGLNG) continues to grow in-step with the industry. As the only event of its kind, CGLNG can adapt and reflect the expansions taking place within the market such as the recent FID on LNG Canada and bring the full value chain together: from producers, pipeline players and LNG projects, through to transportation companies, petrochemical players and power producers from the length of Canada and the rest of the world.

About Gitga’at Waiward Industrial

Based in Kitimat, BC, Gitga’at Waiward Industrial is a partnership between Gitga’at First Nation and Waiward Industrial that was formed in November 2019, and provides a comprehensive range of construction, maintenance, fabrication, and engineering services.