Last chance! Tell council to reject FortisBC's workcamp
September 23, 2024
Tracey Saxby
Last chance! Public hearing for FortisBC's workcamp
1. Use this template to send a personalized letter to council before noon (12pm), Tuesday September 24, 2024. Or email council directly: hearing@squamish.ca
2. 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.
3. Hold a sign at the public hearing on Wednesday September 25, 2024 (no preparation necessary). RSVP HERE!
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Where is FortisBC's proposed workcamp?
FortisBC has applied to the District of Squamish for a Temporary Use Permit to build a 7-hectare workcamp in the cutblock near Capilano University, accessed via the Mamquam Forest Service Road. The workcamp has 325 proposed parking stalls, plus another 420 stalls at the proposed contruction yard next to Raven's Plateau.
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Why is FortisBC's workcamp a problem?
Studies during construction of similar industrial projects with large numbers of temporary construction workers have shown:
- increased demands on hospitals, counseling, police, and ambulance services, which results in reduced service capacity for residents.
- increased rate of violent crime, including sexual assault and sexualized violence, and increased domestic violence.
- increased violence against Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQ+ people.
- increased home prices, inflated rental costs, and decreased housing availability.
- increased number of workplace accidents.
- increased substance abuse and misuse.
- increased traffic accidents and collisions.
- Increased rates of prostitution and sex trafficking.
- increased risk of COVID-19 outbreaks and sexually transmitted diseases.
- waste disposal issues.
FortisBC is still failing to address many of the community's concerns. Even worse: FortisBC is already avoiding responsibility and accountability when things go wrong.
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Risk to Squamish's future water supply
Aquifers under the workcamp location are identified as a future water supply for Squamish. Protecting our drinking water is critical, and as the population of Squamish grows additional sources of water will be required. Less than 10% of British Columbia has enough water and as climate change worsens drought conditions, we must protect our current and future water sources.
District staff have noted that FortisBC's workcamp presents a risk of groundwater contamination due to the presence of hazardous materials associated with the construction and operation of the proposed access road, the associated parking area, and the workcamp itself.
FortisBC has already received two warnings of non-compliance from the BC Environmental Assessment Office, for failing to store hazardous materials in appropriate storage, failing to install and maintain erosion and sediment controls, and failing to separate, cover and store contaminated soil properly.
Metro Vancouver's water supply is closed to the public and development to prevent pollution of its drinking water. We cannot allow FortisBC's workcamp to put Squamish's future drinking water supply at risk.
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More background info:
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.
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Thanks for taking action to hold FortisBC accountable.
Tracey Saxby
Executive Director, My Sea to Sky
My Sea to Sky is incredibly proud and grateful to say that we rely on the My Sea to Sky community for small donations that provide the majority of our funding. Since our launch in 2014, we have been funded through personal savings, family and friends; and powered by the passion of our volunteers. Your generous contribution will help us to run our critical campaigns to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. Can you chip in?