Woodfibre LNG is disappointed after the Squamish council voted 4-3 to reject the company’s temporary use permit application for a floatel at yesterday’s council meeting.
Councillors Lauren Greenlaw, Chris Pettingill, Jenna Stoner, and Andrew Hamilton opposed the TUP application, though according to district procedures, the motion can be reconsidered in a month.
In a social media post, My Sea to Sky thanked the mayor and council for the vote. “We are grateful to the Mayor and Council for listening to the community’s concerns and holding Woodfibre LNG accountable. Thank you to everyone who sent a letter or stood up and spoke at the public hearing last week to share your concerns about the floatel.”
Meanwhile, Christine Kennedy, Woodfibre LNG President, has released the following statement:
“We were disappointed with the District Council’s non-decision on the zoning temporary use decision for the floatel. The District has asked repeatedly since 2019 – to the company and to regulators – that the Woodfibre LNG project workforce be housed outside Squamish, which is exactly what the floatel delivers.
The floatel has already been approved by Federal, Provincial and Squamish Nation regulators as the housing approach for the project. Additionally, District Council is aware that the Provincial Government has jurisdiction over floatel-related management plans. Woodfibre LNG will continue to work with the District on a path forward on the temporary use permit zoning decision as had been recommended by District staff. Construction of the Project continues.
In a community that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year, the rhetoric of some council members directed toward the skilled craft workers that will make up the project’s workforce seems out of place. These men and women are simply looking to do a good job, feed their families and have a safe and comfortable place to live while minimizing any disruption that an approved project could have on the community. If these people visited as tourists, they would be welcomed.”
Jim says
I say shame to council for pulling a stunt like this, and my sea to sky for again using false information to hinder this project. It’s a go people. Stop these silly antics and let’s get on with the job. All this nimby bs is doing is giving the citizens of Squamish a bad taste in there mouth, and the district a hokey reputation.
N_Dj says
Perhaps we can purchase the LNG from USA, at three times the price, the same way they sell it to Europe now, as Russian and Canadian cheap gas is not welcome… Liberal/progressive mind at its best…
Eric Arnold says
Squamish needs to attract industry, not drive it away. We have a housing crisis, where are 600 workers expected to live.
Jason Smith says
The workers arw literally going to live on a boat. Further because of myseatosky lobbying council is blocking 600 workers from stepping foot in town to spend money on local small businesses such as restuarants.
Literally DoS is shooting themselves in the foot and preventing small businesses from doing business.
Clown world we live
Steve says
Hmmm… let’s see. Low environmental impact- check, bring in people who will spend money and boost our economy- check. Don’t impact housing prices up- check. Leave no footprint of work camps when done project- check. Create decades of tax income and spending in our community- check. Address all first nation concerns- check. We should definitely vote against this- check.