Prince George, BC - Local Prince George and Northern BC companies and workers are playing an important role in the construction project for the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North.
“In addition to the obvious health care benefits that this centre will provide to Northerners, its construction phase is also providing positive economic benefits for Prince George families and surrounding communities through the hiring of local labour,” said Prince George – Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “Every job counts and makes a difference in these difficult economic times.”
At the peak of construction, there will be up to 160 workers on the site each day, the majority of whom will be from northern B.C.
“The bulk of labour costs for the new cancer centre’s construction will be spent locally,” said Prince George – Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. “More than 90 per cent of the trades required for the project are expected to come from the north.”
Local trades, such as carpenters, will be brought on through either sub-contract or direct employment by PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. Subcontracted companies are also focusing on hiring area workers. For example, a Vancouver company, LMS Reinforcing Steel Group, estimates that 65 per cent of its workforce will be made up of Northerners.
At present, the following Prince George companies have been hired as part of the design and construction team for the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North:
Civil engineering: L&M Engineering Ltd.;
Civil works: IDL Projects Inc.;
Concrete placing: KVS Concrete Finishing Inc.
Concrete supplier: Inland Concrete;
Enlarged project images: IRL Signs and Graphic Design;
Electrical: Houle Electric (Prince George branch);
Formwork/reinforcing steel quality control: Allnorth Consultants Limited
Geotechnical consultant: GeoNorth Engineering Ltd.;
Landscape architect: Jay Lazzarin Landscape Architect;
Mechanical: Equity Plumbing & Heating Ltd.;
Miscellaneous safety and construction equipment: Northern Industrial Sales; and
Surveying quality control: McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd.
“Together with our partners, we believe in the importance of hiring local people for this local project,” said Mike Marasco, CEO, Plenary Health. “Northern B.C. has a strong workforce whose experience and talent will help immensely in the success of the Centre for the North’s construction.”
“Partnership with local communities is an important part of our work in delivering comprehensive cancer services to people across the province,” said Karim Karmali, Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President, Management & Operations, BC Cancer Agency. “Through Plenary Health and their team, we are pleased to also partner with local industry in building our newest regional cancer centre.”
For more information about the construction of the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North, please visit www.centreforthenorth.plenaryprojects.com. For more details on cancer care services at the new centre, visit BC Cancer Agency’s website atwww.bccancer.bc.ca
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The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of B.C. by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services.
