The Executive Director of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, Anne MacKenzie, has raised concerns about Woodfibre LNG’s adherence to its obligations as outlined in its environmental assessment certificate.
In a letter to the district, MacKenzie has highlighted the apparent disconnect between the obligations tasked to Woodfibre LNG and their actions, citing potential misinterpretation of directives. MacKenzie pointed out that Woodfibre LNG appears to be misinterpreting local hiring tactics and workforce management instructions.
She writes: “After conversations with Woodlibre LNG representatives, business owners, and individuals in the District, it appears to The Chamber that Woodfibre is willfully misinterpreting the district’s instructions to ” consider potential strain that local hiring tactics could have” and to “keep workers out of Squamish.”
She emphasized the need for clarity and urged the District to issue a public clarification to prevent further misinterpretation of these directives. The Chamber’s concerns stem from the discrepancy between the requirements outlined in the Community Services and Infrastructure Management Plan (CSIMP) and Woodfibre LNG’s actions.
Kate Mulligan, Director of Major Projects with the District of Squamish, outlined specific expectations during a consultation with Woodfibre LNG, including developing training programs, talent attraction initiatives, and local procurement opportunities. However, the Chamber believes Woodfibre LNG may not fully comply with these directives.
Additionally, the Chamber referenced Condition 13 of the Environmental Assessment Certificate issued by the Province, which mandates the design and delivery of programs to support local employment and contracting opportunities. MacKenzie emphasized the importance of collaboration with government partners to address these concerns and urged the District to look into whether Woodfibre LNG contravened the conditions of their EA Certificate.
Read the full letter here.
Lonnie says
Careful on how hiring and layoffs work . We have been having issues at lngc in kitimat . The contractor fccl is continuing to fly people in while laying locals and peoples from B.C. off . B.C. projects should have B.C. people working , keeping the money in B.C. . Not every other Province and Country in the world. She’ll has been excellent addition to our local community. FCCL not so much .
Louis Wilson says
Given the districts stance on the work force and the floatel it appears to be the district that is at fault. Legally, they can anchor the hotel offshore and run shuttles to their own dock. It’s time for the district to quit whining.
Laurie Parkinson says
Louis, I think the District is frustrated by the lack of info and/or action provided by WF on a number of topics over the years.
One example: Henrietta Lake dam presents a significant risk to any workers staying in the floatel. That must sound weird. Let me explain: The dam is in poor shape seismically. WF is breaking the law by not updating the dam. BC’s coast is overdue for a major earthquake. If there was an earthquake, a tidal wave would hit the floatel, putting the workers at great risk.
ReeJan says
Not according to reports from 2016. You can look it up.
Laurie Parkinson says
My info is different from yours, Reejan.
Laurie Parkinson says
Reejan:
My information is different from yours on this.
Stephen McBride says
This is a great example why these massive projects and even small ones start costing millions or billions more to get done. To many of these nimby’s getting in the way. No wonder we are falling so far behind and paying through the ass with taxes.
Lonnie says
If and when the big one hits I am confident there will be more to worry about than the floatel. Fraser valley will become the new oceanfront property . There are suppose to be adequate warning systems in place to evacuate should that scenario arise.