Woodfibre LNG's terrible tax deal
September 16, 2026
Tracey Saxby
Woodfibre LNG is offering a municipal tax agreement of $142 million over ten years ($14.2 million per year on average).
This is ten million dollars less per year than the average tax rate for communities with major industry across BC. This will not increase with inflation or if Woodfibre LNG doubles or triples in size.
Do you get a deal on your taxes? No! Why should Woodfibre LNG?
Tell council to reject Woodfibre LNG's terrible tax deal.
IMPORTANT! Personalized letters are much more impactful. See the example speaking points to customize your letter to council. Use our letter writing tool, or email council@squamish.ca directly.
SEND A LETTER TO COUNCIL*******
How much should Woodfibre LNG pay in taxes?
Municipal tax rates are determined by council every year based on community needs and can be adjusted to offset depreciation. Council identifies how much revenue is needed to pay for critical services and sets the tax rates for residential, commercial, utilities, farms, managed forests, supportive housing, light industry, and major industry.
The average tax rate for B.C. communities with major industry in 2026 was $40.57 per $1,000 of assessed value (ranging from $3.44 to $125.24).
We don't know what Woodfibre LNG's assessed value will be, but District staff conservatively estimate $400–600 million. See FAQ #21.
Here is how much tax revenue could be generated from Woodfibre LNG every year:
|
Tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value |
Assessed value of Woodfibre LNG |
|
|
$400M |
$600M |
|
|
$20 |
$8 million |
$12 million |
|
$40 (B.C. average) |
$16 million |
$24 million |
|
$60 |
$24 million |
$36 million |
|
$80 |
$32 million |
$48 million |
|
$100 |
$40 million |
$60 million |
|
$125 (current) |
$50 million |
$75 million |
*******
So you want a new Rec Centre...
Before it closed in 2006, the Woodfibre pulp mill in Squamish paid a tax rate of $58.86106 per $1,000 of assessed value. If Woodfibre LNG paid a similar tax rate, it would contribute $24 to $36 million in taxes every year.
Squamish has a lot of aging infrastructure that has not kept pace with population growth. For example, we need a new Recreation Centre, which we estimate will cost at least $250 million based on one NHL-sized rink ($65 million) and an aquatic centre ($185 million) with parking infrastructure.
To correct online misinformation, no, Woodfibre LNG never offered to pay for a new Recreation Centre. This is the deal that is on the table: $142 million over ten years. It's an improvement from the $2–3 million tax deal Woodfibre LNG offered in 2014, but it's still not a fair or reasonable tax rate.
Please take a moment to send a personalized letter to council before September 22, 2026. Council needs to know they have your support to say no to Woodfibre LNG's terrible tax deal.
Join us at the council meeting at 6pm, September 22, 2026 at Squamish Municipal Hall.
Woodfibre LNG must pay its fair share.
Tracey Saxby
Executive Director
My Sea to Sky
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