We won! Squamish rejected FortisBC's workcamp
September 29, 2024
Tracey Saxby
🔥We won!🔥 Squamish rejected FortisBC's workcamp!
Last Wednesday, the District of Squamish rejected FortisBC’s application for a workcamp in Squamish. This is people power in action!
Despite claiming to be a good neighbour in a recent letter published in the Squamish Chief, actions speak louder than words as FortisBC's representatives walked out of the public hearing before community members even had a chance to speak.
FortisBC is clearly not interested in hearing what the Squamish community has to say; and has refused to work with District staff or council to take meaningful steps to address the community’s concerns for over a decade.
We’re grateful to Mayor Hurford, and Councillors Greenlaw, Hamilton, and Pettingill for having the courage to stand up to FortisBC and put our community first. This decision highlights the critical role that local governments have in holding projects accountable, even when provincial and federal regulators fail us.
With enormous gratitude to all of you: to our volunteers, to our community, to everyone that sent a letter, came to a demonstration or event, and shared your concerns with council about FortisBC's workcamp.
With particular thanks to our amazing partners at Justice for Girls who played a leading role to highlight the human rights impacts of work camps on nearby communities.
NEWS: Squamish Chief | CBC
WATCH THE PUBLIC HEARING: YouTube
AMPLIFY OUR POSTS: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | BlueSky
*******
Help residents stop FortisBC's construction laydown yard
FortisBC is also proposing a construction laydown yard behind the Ravens Plateau neighbourhood in Squamish.
Again, FortisBC is ignoring the community's concerns, and told the District of Squamish that this location would be used irregardless of whether council approved the Temporary Use Permit for this location or not, as FortisBC has permission for some uses through the BC Energy Regulator.
This bully tactic by FortisBC put council in a really tough position, who reluctantly approved the permit so they could impose conditions in an attempt to minimize impacts to nearby residents.
But local resident, Philippa Clark, is calling on council to reconsider the decision, as the District's permit allows FortisBC to store fuel on site, which is a huge fire risk. She plans to attend the council meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, October 3, 2024, and has started a petition. Can you add your signature? Or attend the council meeting?
SIGN THE PETITION*******
Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC's pipeline are not a done deal. We're never giving up the fight. We're going to keep holding these two destructive fossil fuel companies accountable at every step.
Thank you for standing with us.
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?