FORT ST. JOHN – The BC Chamber of Commerce and BC Hydro are holding business-to-business networking sessions in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Prince George and Quesnel that will provide an opportunity for businesses from local, regional and Aboriginal communities to meet with the main civil works contractor for the Site C Clean Energy Project.

“Now that BC Hydro has awarded the main civil works contract, there are going to be significant opportunities for local, regional and Aboriginal businesses and workers in the region,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines. “The business networking sessions are the first opportunity for local businesses to meet with the main civil works contractor team and build relationships. These business networking events, and the upcoming job fairs, will help us ensure that B.C. companies and B.C. workers are first in line for opportunities with the Site C project.”

The sessions will take place in January and early February and will allow businesses to connect with Peace River Hydro Partners, a partnership between ACCIONA Infrastructure Canada Inc., Petrowest Corporation and Samsung C&T Canada Ltd.

“The business networking sessions and upcoming job fairs are an excellent opportunity for local and Aboriginal businesses and workers to meet with Peace River Hydro Partners to explore opportunities,” said Chris O’Riley, Deputy CEO, BC Hydro. “Our contractor has made a commitment to providing employment and business opportunities locally and in the region, and we are pleased to help facilitate this through the networking sessions and job fairs.”

“Our partnership is proud to be working in the Peace Region. The business networking sessions will provide our team with the chance to build business relationships in northern BC and maximize the economic opportunity for local and regional businesses,” said Rick Quigley, Peace River Hydro Partners.

“BC Hydro has committed to providing economic benefits for northern communities and aboriginal groups. We know that businesses in the Peace region are ready and waiting for this opportunity, and Site C’s positive impact will be felt by our members province-wide,” said Jon Garson, President and CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce.

This will be the fourth round of business networking sessions that BC Hydro has organized for the Site C Project. Events were held in 2014 with the shortlisted proponent teams for the worker accommodation contract and the main civil works contract. In October 2015, business networking sessions were held with the worker accommodation and site preparation contractors and were attended by over 200 businesses.

Job Fairs: February/March 2016
BC Hydro and Peace River Hydro Partners are also hosting or participating in job fairs in late February and early March in the communities of Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Hudson’s Hope, Prince George, Quesnel, Fort Nelson and Mackenzie. The job fairs will provide an opportunity for job seekers to meet with Peace River Hydro Partners and other Site C contractors. Business representatives from the Peace River Hydro Partners team will be available to meet with local businesses in Tumbler Ridge, Hudson’s Hope, Mackenzie and Fort Nelson as part of the job fairs.

Dates and times for the job fairs will be announced shortly.

Schedule: business-to-business networking sessions
Registration is required for business networking sessions. Attendees can register at bcchamber.org/events.

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