VICTORIA — B.C. and China have inked a new agreement that will see the two governments work to allow foreign workers into the province if needed to help build a liquefied natural gas industry.

The provincial government and the People’s Republic of China signed the non-binding memorandum of understanding this week, which pledges co-operation and information sharing to help develop B.C.’s LNG industry.

The two sides will “work together with the appropriate authorities to secure and facilitate the entry of foreign workers” in B.C., while “respecting the priority of hiring domestic labour wherever possible,” according to the agreement.

Natural Gas Minister Rich Coleman has said B.C. could need temporary foreign workers to fill some of the 100,000 jobs that would be created if several B.C. LNG facilities materialize.

None of the multinational corporations considering LNG plants in B.C. has yet made final investment decisions.

China “respects” B.C.’s jobs strategy to create more apprenticeship and skilled trades training opportunities for the LNG sector, Coleman said in a statement Friday.

“Some jobs will not be filled by British Columbians, either because they require highly specialized experience in the LNG industry or because we do not have enough workers in the province to meet the level of demand,” he said.

“Our priority in filling those jobs includes making sure British Columbians are first in line for job opportunities, then Canadian workers followed by U.S. and international workers.

“The MOU signals an understanding there could be a need for foreign workers to support LNG construction in B.C. and that the applicable agencies will work closely together moving forward to facilitate this if needed.”

Coleman has pressured Ottawa to continue to allow temporary foreign workers for major industrial projects, after the federal government recently cracked down on the program after abuses within the restaurant industry.

B.C.’s unionized labour leaders have also been working with the Liberal government to address the potential LNG job crunch.

There’s a recognition some temporary foreign workers with special skills might be necessary if there’s a shortage of Canadians in that field, said Tom Sigurdson, executive director of the B.C. and Yukon Territory Building and Construction Trades Council.

If the MOU with China recognizes those limited circumstances, then that’s acceptable, he said. “If, however, it’s going to be plane loads of foreigners coming in to build plants or operating plants, that would not be acceptable not only to me but I would imagine the vast majority of British Columbians,” Sigurdson said.

NDP critic Shane Simpson said he thinks B.C. is getting desperate to finalize some LNG plants amid increasing global competition for LNG facilities.

“We don’t see anything here that says we’re going to reinforce the need to make sure British Columbians get the work and benefit,” Simpson said.

“There’s a throwaway line about local jobs, but what it says is we’re going to do anything and everything we need to do to make sure you’ve got the temporary foreign workers if you need them and want them.”

rshaw@vancouversun.com