190 non-local workers living in local accommodations, hotels: FortisBC

FortisBC currently has about 190 non-local workers living in hotels in Squamish as part of the Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline (EGP) project. In a recent update to the council, FortisBC said the number of workers is expected to rise to approximately 270 this summer.

The workforce includes contractors, subcontractors, and FortisBC’s construction management team. While this summer could see as many as 270 workers, this number is expected to peak at 550 workers in the summer of 2025.  The company’s workers reside in hotels and use other local accommodations.

In an update to the council, FortisBC said it expects the lodge to mitigate the impact of non-local workers on the town’s accommodations and services. The company has submitted revised plans for the lodge, which the district will review before making final decisions.

If the TUP application is approved, site preparation and construction of the lodge would take approximately eight months, but activities would be delayed during the March-August bird nesting season. This delay would push the potential completion date for the lodge to June 2025. Fortis would need a Temporary Use Permit from the District by September 3, 2024 in order to enable a fully operational Lodge by June 2025.

FortisBC emphasized the need for a timely decision on the lodge to keep the project on schedule and avoid disruptions during the peak construction periods of July and August. The company also noted that a favourable decision on the lodge’s building permits would be required by November 15, 2024, to ensure the lodge is ready by June 2025.

“A positive decision on the lodge building permits would be required by November 15, 2024, to ensure we have the lodge in service by June 2025. If we cannot meet these timelines, or if the TUPs or subsequent building permits are not approved, we will miss the peak summer 2025 construction season and will be required to find alternative accommodations for our project personnel,” Fortis said.

The project will continue to use local accommodations while awaiting a decision on the lodge. In the meantime, FortisBC is paying the Municipal Regional and District Tax (MRDT) to local hotels, which is remitted to Tourism Squamish.