Construction is slowing at Trans Mountain’s Burnaby worksites after more than a dozen workers were recently laid off or reassigned.

Nearly half of the 40-some construction workers at the Westridge marine terminal were laid off, including pipe fitters, general labourers and those using pile drivers. Seventeen were let go and one was reassigned. Those workers, contracted with Kiewit-Ledcor Trans Mountain Partnership (KLTP), were carrying out preparatory work ahead of the pipeline’s construction.

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A number of other non-union workers were laid off from work at the terminal on Burnaby Mountain on Monday.

Ryan Bruce, spokesperson for the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), said he was concerned to see these Lower-Mainland workers lose their jobs.

“Whenever our members are laid off, it creates a lot of stress in their lives. We’re a bit frustrated overall with the uncertainty of the (provincial) government is creating around the project, and that uncertainty is unfortunately trickling into those people’s lives,” he told the NOW.

According to Trans Mountain, the layoffs are a result of the reduction in spending announced last month.

“Kinder Morgan Canada Limited has suspended all non-essential activities and related spending on the Trans Mountain expansion project, and therefore the contractor workforce requirements in some areas for the project have been reduced,” states an email from the company. “Construction activities at Westridge marine terminal continue.”