Woodfibre LNG is moving to expand the approved boundary of its liquefied natural gas export facility currently under construction near Squamish.
The company filed an application on March 5, 2026 to lease additional Crown land and a submerged water lot in Howe Sound, adding roughly 2.5 hectares of water area and 0.3 hectares of land to its Certified Project Area (CPA). The expansion was triggered by a quantified risk assessment that identified the need for stronger safety and security buffers around the facility.
Woodfibre LNG said in its application that no new construction or industrial activities are planned for the expanded areas. The water lot will be used primarily for fisheries surveys and will form part of a marine safety zone marked by buoys. The land portion may receive fencing or signage to identify it as part of the project area.
The company says it sent a letter to eleven First Nations groups ahead of the application, including the Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Musqueam Indian Band, outlining their intent and rational behind the expanded CPA. Tsleil-Waututh Nation met directly with Woodfibre LNG in February 2026, indicating it had no concerns with the proposal. No other nations commented on the plan when the application was submitted.
The project, which began construction in Fall 2023 on the former Woodfibre Pulp Mill site, is designed to produce approximately 2.1 million metric tonnes of LNG per year once operational. The site has no road access and relies entirely on marine transport through Howe Sound. As of May 25, Woodfibre says it is over 65 per cent complete and is expected to be finish in 2027.
The company holds an LNG export licence for up to 40 years and has said any decisions about continued operation beyond that period would be made in consultation with Indigenous groups and regulatory agencies.
