Stand up for human rights: reject FortisBC's workcamp

What is happening?

FortisBC has applied for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for a workcamp to house up to 650 workers. The District of Squamish is holding a public hearing to listen to the community’s concerns as they consider this application.

We need to fill this room to overflowing with people that are willing to stand up, speak up, and share their concerns about FortisBC's workcamp with council.

This is a critical moment in the fight to stop FortisBC. Can you join us?

Three ways to take action:

1. Use this template to send a personalized letter to council before 12pm, Tuesday September 24, 2024. Or email council directly: hearing@squamish.ca

2. Hold a sign at the public hearing on Wednesday September 25, 2024 (no preparation necessary). RSVP ABOVE!

3. Sign up to speak at the public hearing on Wednesday September 25, 2024. IMPORTANT! Email phspeakerslist@squamish.ca now to sign up to the Speaker's List early.

What can we ask council to do?

This is a discretionary decision, which means that council is under no obligation to approve FortisBC's workcamp. Council has the jurisdiction to:

1. Reject the TUP.
2. Defer a decision on the TUP.
3. Refer the TUP back to staff.

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Share your story and perspective

What is your stake in the community? How will the workcamp affect you and your family? What are your concerns about the workcamp? Were you ever consulted by FortisBC in this process? Have you had enough time to meaningfully participate in this process?

IMPORTANT! If you'd like to speak at the public hearing on September 25, 2024, email phspeakerslist@squamish.ca now to sign up to the Speaker's List.

Here's how you can prepare:

1. Watch the staff update to council at the recent September 10, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting. Time: ~2 hours. Start at 8 minutes in.

2. Read the 2024-09-10 staff report on FortisBC's workcamp.

3. Review the DRAFT Temporary Use Permit. Important! Council has discretion to reject this draft permit, add conditions, or refer it back to staff.

4. Read the instructions on how you can participate from the District of Squamish.

Relevant bylaws and policies

The key bylaws and policies relevant to FortisBC's TUP application are:

• Official Community Plan (OCP)
• Zoning Bylaw
• 2023 Housing Needs Assessment

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References

• Firelight Group (2017) Indigenous Communities and Industrial Camps: Promoting Healthy Communities in Settings of Industrial Change. [Firelight Group, 2017]
• Edwards, K. (13 May 2019) How we treat women: worker camps make it possible to build infrastructure in remote locations in Canada. Is it worth the human cost? Macleans.
• Tordimah, J. (2021) Man Camps: Temporary Housing Facilities or Sites of Permanent Devastation? The Cases of British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nunavut. Western University.
• Amnesty International (November 2016). Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Gender, Indigenous Rights and Energy Development in Northeast British Columbia, Canada.
• Martin, K. et al. (2019) Violent Victimization Known to Law Enforcement in the Bakken Oil - Producing Region of Montana and North Dakota, 2006-2012. US Bureau of Justice Statistics.
• Manitoba Clean Environment Commission (May 2018) A Review of Regional Cumulative Effects Assessment for Hydroelectric Developments on the Nelson, Burntwood and Churchill River Systems, p. 36.
• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Volume 1a, pp. 584-586.
• Ontario Native Women’s Association (2019) Journey to Safe Spaces: Indigenous Anti-Trafficking Engagement Report 2017-2018, p. 7.
• UN General Assembly, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly, 2 October 2007, A/RES/61/295, available at
• UN General Assembly, Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, 20 December 1993, A/RES/48/104.
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, resolution/ adopted by the General Assembly, 20 November 1989, A/RES/44/25. See also, additional relevant Articles: 3 (Best interests of the Child); 6 (right to survival and maximum development); and 37 (protection from cruel and degrading treatment).