Celebrating Unity on Earth Day

April 22, 2015

Something amazing is happening around Howe Sound. People meeting new people. Smiles. Information sharing. Momentum building. It's inspiring. In the face of adversity, people come together.

It's pretty clear folks from all walks of life are opposed to the proposed Woodfibre LNG plant. Rallies are being organized. There's no shortage of letters and stories in local papers. Social media buzzes daily.

But one of the clearest expressions of unity and opposition to this project hasn't been reported on nearly enough as it should. All communities lining Howe Sound have spoken with a single voice on this issue. West Vancouver, Bowen Island, Lions Bay, Squamish and Gibsons have all passed resolutions signalling opposition to one aspect of LNG or another. Whether it be tankers or test drilling for gas pipelines. It's a clean sweep across the board. A wide swath spelled out in capital letters.

People simply don't want the risk. Risk to their friends, to their family, and to the purity of this pristine corner of the world. And citzens have every right to make that decision. Not someone half way across the country in Ottawa. Not someone in Victoria. Not some guy from Indonesia.

As we move closer to the decision day for this project, let's remember how far we've come, together. How many more people will join us before then. This is our time. It's where we live. Where we work. Where we play. Let's make it count!

List of municipal resolutions and votes:

  1. Village of Lion’s Bay, May 20, 2014

    "The Village of Lions Bay urges the federal government to ban the passage of LNG tankers in the waters of the Malaspina, Georgia, Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits, and Boundary Pass."
  2. Town of Gibsons, July 15th, 2014

    "Gibsons Council urge the federal government to ban the passage of LNG tankers in the waters of Howe Sound and the Georgia Strait, and to request the support of other communities around the Howe Sound to support this resolution."
  3. District of West Vancouver, July 21, 2014

    "To write to the federal government with a suggestion to ban the passage of LNG tankers in the waters of Howe Sound."
  4. Municipality of Squamish, January 20th 2015

    "Council votes no to LNG pipeline test drilling in Squamish estuary"
  5. Bowen Island Municipality: Feb 24, 2015

    "Resolution regarding an LNG tanker ban in Howe Sound carried"
    Dr. Eoin Finn presentation on risks of LNG tankers in Howe Sound starts at time 28:10

NOTE: This post was originally published on the Propeller Strategy website on March 12th. Sign Propeller Strategy's declaration here.