Woodfibre LNG is suing the District of Squamish… again
November 14, 2025
Eoin Finn
Woodfibre LNG is suing the District of Squamish over taxes… again! claiming that paying CAD$1.8 million dollars a year during construction will make this US$8.8 billion dollar project unsustainable.
Once operational, Woodfibre LNG is concerned that its profits will be reduced.
Please wait a moment while I play the world's tiniest violin. 🎻
Anyone that owns a property or business in Squamish has to pay municipal taxes. This is a clear intimidation tactic by Woodfibre LNG to avoid paying its fair share.
To put this in perspective, Woodfibre LNG is spending US$6 million a day (~$8,8B over 4 years) to construct the facility and is arguing in court over paying CAD$1.8 million a year in property taxes.
Where are the economic benefits for Squamish?
READ THE SQUAMISH CHIEF | READ THE COURT DOCUMENTS
Woodfibre LNG is billions over budget
The truth is, construction costs at Woodfibre LNG have skyrocketed.
In 2015, the project was originally estimated at US $1.5 billion. By 2022, when Enbridge bought a 30% stake, the price tag had already ballooned to US $5.1 billion. Now in 2025, costs have soared to a staggering US $8.8 billion.
That's nearly six times more expensive than a decade ago. 💸
Enbridge blames the blowout on “permit delays, building code changes, a second floating hotel to accommodate workers, and challenging on-site conditions.”
Woodfibre LNG blames the blowout on “rising costs for site remediation, construction inflation, the expense of marine transportation and the significant investments in electrification” along with “geotechnical complexities” and “environmental monitoring.”
Cost and schedule blowouts are typical for LNG projects, but this is ridiculous, even by industry standards. It’s these kinds of cost overruns that scare away investors and kill projects.
The great boondoggle of Woodfibre LNG
A "boondoggle" is a wasteful project that often relies on public money to subsidize it.
Despite being gifted billions in tax breaks and subsidies, Woodfibre LNG is still a highly uncompetitive and unprofitable venture as LNG is a risky, volatile commodity market.
That’s why Woodfibre LNG is suing the District of Squamish over municipal taxes. We need to hold Woodfibre LNG accountable and make sure it pays its fair share.
Can you chip in to help fuel the resistance?
CHIP IN NOWFrontline communities like Squamish should not be expected to prop up the shaky economic viability of foreign-owned LNG export projects like Woodfibre LNG.
Eoin Finn
Board Chair
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 Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. Can you chip in?