October 22, 2026
Woodfibre LNG and the associated FortisBC Eagle Mountain Pipeline are expected to generate approximately $13.6 billion in total economic output across Canada during construction, according to a new economic impact assessment prepared by Deetken Insight.
The study estimates the two projects will contribute nearly $7 billion to Canadian gross domestic product (GDP), generate approximately $3.6 billion in labour income and support more than 52,000 job-years of employment during construction.
Woodfibre LNG, being built near Squamish, British Columbia, is approximately 75% complete, with construction expected to finish in mid-2027.
Deetken Insight assessed the combined construction impact of the Woodfibre LNG facility and FortisBC’s Eagle Mountain Pipeline using project expenditure estimates and Statistics Canada input-output multipliers.
The analysis estimates approximately $6.9 billion in direct economic output, $3.6 billion in indirect output and $3.1 billion in induced activity, bringing the combined total to approximately $13.6 billion.
The projects are also expected to generate nearly $7 billion in Canadian GDP and approximately $3.6 billion in labour income.
Employment associated with the construction activity is estimated at 52,403 job-years, including direct, indirect and induced employment across Canada.
A job-year represents one job held for one year and can include either part-time or full-time employment. The study notes that the figures should not be interpreted as full-time-equivalent jobs.
The Woodfibre LNG facility itself is expected to generate approximately $9.5 billion in economic output and $4.9 billion in GDP while supporting 37,643 job-years.
Construction of the FortisBC Eagle Mountain Pipeline is projected to contribute another $4.1 billion in economic output and approximately $2 billion in GDP while supporting 14,760 job-years.
According to the study, the LNG facility represents approximately 71% of the combined construction-phase GDP impact, while the pipeline accounts for 29%.
The assessment excludes expenditures occurring outside Canada, including overseas module fabrication, from its calculation of domestic economic impacts.
Beyond construction, Deetken’s financial modelling projects approximately $11.6 billion in nominal government revenues from taxes and royalties beginning with construction and continuing through 40 years of Woodfibre LNG operations.
Approximately $4.2 billion is projected to accrue to the federal government, while about $6.8 billion is projected for the Government of British Columbia. Municipal property taxes are modelled at approximately $485 million.
Including municipal property taxes, approximately $7.3 billion of the projected nominal government revenue would accrue within British Columbia.
The $11.6 billion figure is a forward-looking projection rather than current revenue. Deetken notes that actual results could differ materially because the modelling depends on assumptions including commodity prices, corporate structure, fiscal policy, project operations and future natural gas production.
The economic impact analysis measures more than spending directly on the LNG facility and pipeline.
Direct impacts include construction activity and contractors working on the projects. Indirect impacts represent activity generated throughout the Canadian supply chain, while induced impacts capture additional economic activity created when workers spend wages earned through the projects and their supply chains.
Woodfibre LNG says its hiring and contracting priorities include Squamish Nation members, other Indigenous peoples, District of Squamish residents and other British Columbians.
The company has also invested $50 million in cleanup and remediation of the former Woodfibre pulp mill site near Squamish.
Woodfibre LNG is being developed as a 2.1-million-tonne-per-year LNG production, storage and marine export facility near Squamish.
The facility has 250,000 cubic metres of floating storage capacity and is supported by three 15-year LNG offtake agreements with BP Gas Marketing Limited representing 100% of its capacity.
Construction-phase activities officially began in November 2023.
With the project now approximately 75% complete, Woodfibre LNG expects construction to be completed in mid-2027, setting the stage for the transition from one of British Columbia’s major construction projects to a planned 40-year operating period.
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