Squamish residents versus Woodfibre LNG
October 15, 2026
Tracey Saxby
Have you voted yet? Vote today!
This election is critical for Squamish residents. Please get informed and Vote4Tomorrow!
Advanced Voting | 12pm to 8pm, Thursday October 15 at Brennan Park
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History repeating?
In the leadup to the 2022 local election, My Sea to Sky exposed how Woodfibre LNG covertly funded Squamish Forward to undermine trust in local government and influence voters. The National Observer also exposed the link between Canada Proud and Squamish Voices, which spent over $78,000 on online attack ads targeting council. CBC News warned how fake facebook profiles and social media groups were influencing voters and shifting public opinion.
This election, it feels like we're seeing similar tactics... online groups that have only appeared in the last year, focused on hot button issues like parking and development, using A.I. to stoke online outrage and distrust targeting the current council.
Why is that? Who benefits from that? What are they trying to achieve?
Woodfibre LNG needs a sweetheart deal on taxes
The next elected council will be responsible for setting the major industry tax rate, which will determine how much Woodfibre LNG will pay in municipal taxes every year.
If Woodfibre LNG doesn’t pay its fair share in taxes, it shifts that tax burden to homeowners and businesses.
In Kitimat, the pro-LNG council signed a deal with LNG Canada for $9.7 million per year for the first five years of operations when the tax rate for major industry should have generated $47.8 million per year. LEARN MORE
Woodfibre LNG's CEO, Luke Schauerte, wrote in an open letter that they're waiting on election outcomes.
We need to elect a council that will ensure that Woodfibre LNG pays their fair share in municipal taxes.
Holding Woodfibre LNG accountable for air pollution
In May this year, we helped to document invisible air pollution at LNG Canada. Kitimat residents are reporting health impacts from LNG Canada's excessive flaring.
However, the pro-LNG council has failed to advocate on behalf of its residents, and refused to support healthcare professionals who are calling for a cumulative health impact assessment of fracking and LNG export projects.
In contrast, we're grateful that Squamish council voted unanimously to send a letter of support.
We need to elect a council that will advocate for the health and safety of Squamish residents.
Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC's voting block
We estimate that there are over 1,000 workers for Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC that have temporarily moved to Squamish during construction. Many of FortisBC's workers will only be here for another year of construction.
We're extremely concerned that this voting block will help to elect a pro-LNG council and then leave us with a mess of pollution, health risks, and a council who favours industry over citizens.
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Step 1: Get informed!
My Sea to Sky asked candidates:
- How much should Woodfibre LNG pay in taxes?
- How will they advocate for the health of Squamish residents before Woodfibre LNG starts flaring?
- Where do they stand on development projects?
- How will they address climate-related risks to increase our community’s resilience?
- How will they work towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples?
- Will they commit to climate action policies and principles?
WATCH THE ALL-CANDIDATES DEBATE
then
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Step 2: Vote!
Advanced Voting | 12pm to 8pm, Thursday October 15 at Brennan Park
General Voting Day | 8am to 8pm, Saturday October 17 at Brennan Park
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Step 3: Ask your friends and family to vote
Only 39.73% of eligible Squamish voters cast a ballot in 2022.
We know from previous elections that every vote counts—literally! Please phone, text, or email your friends and help to get out the vote.
Voting is one of the most powerful ways we have to influence decisions that will affect our lives, our community, and our future.
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Voting tip!
When you vote, only vote for the candidates you want elected. If that is one mayor and four councillors, only put down those five names.
For council, the top six candidates with the most votes are elected, so if you vote for someone that you don't really want elected, that may bump your preferred candidates out of the top six.
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Thank you for being part of a healthy democracy!
Tracey Saxby
Executive Director
My Sea to Sky
Follow me on BlueSky
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 Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. Can you chip in?