Cedar LNG Emphasized Local Employment Against Fly-in Fly-Out Concerns

In response to the concerns of Kitimat municipal council members, Cedar LNG argued that its social facility and personnel accommodation plans were designed for safety reasons rather than to undermine local employment. The company rejected criticisms regarding the mass use of fly-in, fly-out workers, stating that it prioritizes offering long-term career opportunities to citizens in the region. Managers emphasized that accommodating workers on board the vessel is a critical emergency safety requirement for floating LNG facilities, rather than just a labor strategy. These statements aimed to dispel doubts that the project would not contribute sufficiently to the local economy due to its weekly shift system. The company reiterated its commitment to creating a local workforce that allows workers to return to their own homes at the end of their shifts.

Municipal council members are concerned that the weekly rotational work system might cause personnel to spend their days off elsewhere instead of living in Kitimat or Kitamaat Village. However, Cedar LNG officials explained that this work system reflects industry standards at similar facilities and is directly linked to safety requirements. It was acknowledged that during the initial phase, specifically for commissioning and the final construction process, international experts would be needed temporarily. The company stated that this necessity stems from the complex start-up procedures and the operational risks involved. However, it was promised that these international positions would eventually be replaced by local workers through training and apprenticeship programs over time.

The facility's size, being 320 metres long and 65 metres wide—or roughly the size of three football fields—creates unique logistical challenges that complicate emergency management. It was noted that an incident at a floating LNG facility could escalate much more rapidly compared to land-based facilities and could have catastrophic consequences if not brought under control. Due to these risks, the facility is planned to have a dedicated 44-person emergency response team that must be on standby 24/7. This team will not just be an external crew waiting for emergencies; it will consist of operational personnel who know the vessel inside out and are experts in every detail. The company argues that in instantaneous crises, such as a life-threatening emergency at sea, even minutes are critical, which is why it is mandatory for the team to stay on board.

Nevertheless, Mayor Phil Germuth and some council members stated that while they understand the need for personnel to be accessible during an emergency, they questioned exactly why living on the vessel is strictly necessary. criticizing this decision, Mayor Germuth pointed out that in other examples, such as the Ksi Lisims LNG project, workers do not live on the vessel. It was claimed that the necessity put forward by Cedar LNG, based on the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements, is not explicitly stated in the convention. Germuth also noted that despite initial promises that workers would settle in the region, the sudden alteration of all environmental assessment certificates last year was inconsistent with transparency. The Mayor requested an investigation into whether workers staying on the vessel would further endanger their lives in the event of a major accident.

Despite all these debates, Cedar LNG officials continued to argue that there is no contradiction between living in the community and staying on the vessel in shifts. The company justified its decision by pointing out that bringing a crew from the city center during an emergency could take about an hour, whereas a crew accommodated on board could respond within minutes. It was also clarified in discussions with the Kitimat Fire Department that the local fire brigade would not intervene in onboard incidents. This situation highlights how essential the independent and rapid response capacity at sea-based facilities truly is. The company and local government plan to continue consultations to find new ways to enhance the integration of workers into the community, ensuring both the fulfillment of safety standards and the provision of economic benefits to the local population.