TransCanada Donates $250,000 to Support Aboriginal Skills Training and Education With TRICORP in Northern B.C.

PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 10, 2015) - TransCanada's Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project and Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project are pleased to announce a $250,000 partnership with the Tribal Resources Investment Corporation (TRICORP) to offer skills development and training for Aboriginal people in northwestern B.C. through TransCanada's Pathway to Pipeline Readiness program. Since August of 2014, TransCanada (TSX:TRP) (NYSE:TRP) has spent over $1 million on skills training initiatives in northern B.C., supporting local colleges and Aboriginal training organizations.

"TransCanada is committed to helping build stronger communities and a better quality of life for those living in northern B.C. Partnerships like this help communities take advantage of economic opportunities related to TransCanada's B.C. pipeline projects," says Tony Palmer, TransCanada's senior vice president, stakeholder relations. "Aboriginal and local communities, as well as the socio-economic assessments from both the Coastal GasLink and Prince Rupert pipeline projects, have identified the need for skills training and industry certification programs in northern B.C. This partnership is a direct response to that feedback and we look forward to the contribution that these students will make to our industry."

"TRICORP has partnered with TransCanada and Service Canada to provide a unique opportunity for Aboriginal people in the Pacific Northwest to obtain the training needed to work in the LNG and other industry sectors," adds Jacquie Ridley, Chief Operating Officer for TRICORP. "This 'Training to Employment Program (TEP)' will also provide the essential skills needed for those participants who are looking for further educational opportunities."

The program includes three, 10-week courses that will be offered through late 2015-2016 in northwest B.C. communities. Currently, programs are planned for Prince Rupert and two further courses are planned in other communities within TRICORP's service area. It's expected a total of 42 students will be served by this programming.

TRICORP is the Service Canada delivery agent in the Northwest B.C. region for the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS). The organization's mission statement is "Our Vision for Our People; Economic Self Reliance". TRICORP's programs and services are targeted to entrepreneurs to start or expand their business, as well as increase capacity to deliver quality employment programming that offers skills development and training initiatives to Aboriginal citizens living in northwestern B.C. 

Coastal GasLink is proposing to construct and operate (subject to required regulatory and commercial approvals) a 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline from the Groundbirch area near Dawson Creek, B.C. to the proposed LNG Canada liquefied natural gas export facility near Kitimat, B.C. Project details can be found at www.coastalgaslink.com.

Prince Rupert Gas Transmission is proposing to construct and operate (subject to required regulatory and commercial approvals) a 900-kilometre natural gas pipeline to deliver natural gas from a point near Hudson's Hope to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility at Lelu Island, off the coast of Port Edward, near Prince Rupert. Project details can be found at www.princerupertgas.com.

The Coastal GasLink and PRGT projects are a key component of TransCanada's $46 billion capital growth plan, which includes more than $13 billion in proposed natural gas pipeline projects which support the emerging liquefied natural gas industry on the British Columbia Coast.

With more than 65 years' experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and liquids pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities. TransCanada operates a network of natural gas pipelines that extends more than 68,000 kilometres (42,100 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is one of the continent's largest providers of gas storage and related services with 368 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. A growing independent power producer, TransCanada owns or has interests in over 10,900 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. TransCanada is developing one of North America's largest liquids delivery systems. TransCanada's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. Visit TransCanada.com and our blog to learn more, or connect with us on social media and 3BL Media.