In case you missed it, FortisBC has been dumping effluent loaded with heavy metals into Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound.

Check out the video! INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

Why is FortisBC getting a free pass to pollute?

Earlier this week, a waste disposal company in Richmond was fined for polluting the Fraser River. Lab tests found that levels of aluminum were 24 times higher than BC's water quality guidelines, along with several other toxic chemicals.

Meanwhile, FortisBC has repeatedly exceeded water quality guidelines for copper and aluminum for over a year during construction of its 9-km tunnel to Woodfibre.

Instead of fixing the problem, FortisBC is asking for permission to pollute even more. FortisBC has applied to amend their permit so they can discharge dissolved aluminum at levels 62 times higher than British Columbia's water quality guidelines and dissolved copper at levels 18 times higher.

High levels of aluminum and copper are toxic to aquatic wildlife.

Why hasn't FortisBC been fined for its pollution? Why has the BC Energy Regulator failed to act?

It’s not too late to send a letter!

In the last week, we’ve sent over 1,150 letters to Ministers and regulators calling on them to reject FortisBC's permit amendment and hold FortisBC accountable for this excessive water pollution.

The District of Squamish also passed a resolution to oppose the permit amendment.

Take action! Demand FortisBC stop work on the tunnel until they upgrade the water treatment system to meet water quality guidelines.

We've hired experts!

Thanks to the incredible support of people that love Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound, we've raised $9,398 in the last week.

We’ve hired three experts in tunneling, acid rock drainage, toxicology, and water treatment to review FortisBC's amendment application, and we're working with our legal team to file complaints.

We still need to raise $15,707 to meet our goal, so we can hit FortisBC with everything we’ve got.

Donate below to get a charitable tax receipt from Sunshine Coast Conservation Association.

For all of the wildlife that makes Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound so special.

Tracey Saxby

Executive Director
My Sea to Sky

P.S. Our handy letter writing tool will send a letter to key Ministers, BC Energy Regulator, FortisBC, your MP, and your MLA. But you can also submit a comment on your own to Waste.Management@bc-er.ca and egp@fortisbc.com. FortisBC's application to amend the permit can be accessed here. Weekly water quality testing results can be found here.

A fragile recovery at risk

The ecological recovery of Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound is one of those rare good news stories.

I remember when acid rock drainage from the Britannia Mine was still contaminating Howe Sound ecosystems. It took tens of millions of public dollars and decades of remediation, advocacy, and stewardship to reverse that damage.

As the ecosystems recovered, we've witnessed the return of the herring and salmon, followed by sea lions and whales. This recovery is beautifully real and hopeful, yet so very fragile.

We simply cannot allow FortisBC to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Stop FortisBC's toxic tunnel

FortisBC is tunneling through 5.2 km of granite bedrock, and has encountered potentially acid generating rock. The tunnel has created a pollution machine, with contaminated water flowing into Howe Sound. The effluent is loaded with heavy metals, similar to what happened at Britannia Beach with acid rock drainage.

For over a year, FortisBC has been discharging DOUBLE its permitted wastewater into Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound and exceeding Provincial and Federal water quality guidelines for copper and aluminum—with zero consequences from the BC Energy Regulator.

Instead of fixing the problem, FortisBC is asking for permission to pollute even more.

Stand with me to defend Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound

Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Region, which is recognized internationally as "a cultural and ecological treasure."

Biosphere Regions are expected to conserve biodiversity, model sustainable development, foster collaboration with Indigenous Nations and local communities, and serve as living examples of how ecological integrity and human activity can coexist.

Weakening water quality protections and increasing pollutant discharges violate the commitments and responsibilities of the UNESCO Biosphere Region designation.

Take action by March 7, 2026

Tell Ministers and regulators to reject FortisBC's permit amendment and hold them accountable for this uncontrolled water pollution that is exceeding the original permit conditions.

FortisBC needs to stop work on the tunnel until they upgrade the water treatment system to meet water quality guidelines.

Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound already paid the price once. We cannot let it happen again.

Not on our watch.

Suzanne Senger

Executive Director
Sunshine Coast Conservation Association
in partnership with My Sea to Sky

P.S. Our handy letter writing tool will send a letter to key Ministers, BC Energy Regulator, FortisBC, your MP, and your MLA. But you can also submit a comment on your own to Waste.Management@bc-er.ca and egp@fortisbc.com by March 7, 2026. FortisBC's application to amend the permit can be accessed here. Weekly water quality testing results can be found here.

Broken promises from FortisBC

Two years ago, we warned regulators that FortisBC's water treatment system was inadequate and that it would fail to meet requirements.

In response, FortisBC promised that: “Discharge to the environment will be halted if the water treatment is not meeting the requirements of BC Water Quality Guidelines.”

FortisBC has broken this promise.

For over a year, FortisBC has been discharging DOUBLE its permitted wastewater into Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound and exceeding Provincial and Federal water quality guidelines—with zero consequences from the BC Energy Regulator.

Regulatory failure by the BC Energy Regulator

FortisBC's effluent discharge permit is clear:

"The effluent discharged from the wastewater treatment system at the point of compliance, shall not exceed the applicable British Columbia Approved and Working Water Quality Guidelines for Freshwater & Marine Aquatic Life..." and “Contravention … may result in prosecution.”

The BC Energy Regulator has failed to act.

As far as we are aware, NO stop work orders have been issued to FortisBC. There have been NO directives to upgrade the water treatment plant. NO fines have been issued. NO public notifications.

Instead, the regulator issued a letter in May 2025 suggesting that FortisBC apply to amend their permit to pollute even more!

The BC Energy Regulator has been described as a captured regulator, where "industry demands trump public interest."

With a revolving door between its staff and the oil and gas industry, the BC Energy Regulator has a long history of failing to hold oil and gas projects accountable for infractions that are directly impacting sensitive ecosystems.

This is not a regulator, this is a conspirator!

Take action by March 7, 2026

Tell Ministers and regulators to reject FortisBC's permit amendment and hold them accountable for this uncontrolled water pollution that is exceeding the original permit conditions.

FortisBC needs to stop work on the tunnel until they upgrade the water treatment system to meet water quality guidelines.

Thank you for standing with me to defend Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound's precious ecosystems.

Eoin Finn

Board Chair
My Sea to Sky

P.S. Our handy letter writing tool will send a letter to key Ministers, BC Energy Regulator, FortisBC, your MP, and your MLA. But you can also submit a comment on your own to Waste.Management@bc-er.ca and egp@fortisbc.com by March 7, 2026. FortisBC's application to amend the permit can be accessed here. Weekly water quality testing results can be found here.

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?

Remember Britannia Mine?

For much of the 20th century, acid rock drainage from the Britannia Mine poured massive amounts of toxic, metal-laden water into Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. The pollution created a "dead zone" in nearby ecosystems, devastating marine life for decades.

After the mine closed in 1974, it took decades of advocacy, regulatory reform, remediation, and sustained stewardship by First Nations, scientists, volunteers, and local government to clean up the mess at public expense. Our ecosystems slowly recovered, and the herring, salmon, and whales returned. This recovery is precious, and it is fragile.

Now FortisBC is putting Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound’s ecosystems and biodiversity at risk again.

FortisBC's toxic tunnel

FortisBC is tunneling through 5.2 km of granite bedrock, and has encountered potentially acid generating rock. The tunnel has created a pollution machine, with excessive water flows loaded with heavy metals like what happened at Britannia Beach with acid rock drainage.

Two years ago, we warned regulators that FortisBC's water treatment system was inadequate and that it would fail to meet requirements. They did not listen.

Now we've learned that FortisBC has been discharging DOUBLE its permitted wastewater into Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound and exceeding water quality guidelines for over a year—with zero consequences from the BC Energy Regulator.

Instead of fixing the problem, FortisBC is asking for permission to pollute even more.

FortisBC has applied to amend its permit to:

• Increase discharge by over four times (from 1,500 m³/day to 6,815 m³/day);
• Discharge copper and aluminum at levels exceeding BC Water Quality Guidelines;
• Replace enforceable guideline protections with weaker site-specific limits that won’t address impacts on marine life.

This is unacceptable.

Take action by March 7, 2026

Tell regulators to reject FortisBC's permit amendment and hold them accountable for this uncontrolled water pollution that is exceeding the original permit conditions.

FortisBC needs to stop work on the tunnel until they upgrade the water treatment system to meet water quality guidelines.

Thank you for standing with me to defend Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound's precious ecosystems.

Tracey Saxby

Executive Director
My Sea to Sky

P.S. Our handy letter writing tool will send a letter to key Ministers, BC Energy Regulator, FortisBC, your MP, and your MLA. But you can also submit a comment on your own to Waste.Management@bc-er.ca and egp@fortisbc.com by March 7, 2026. FortisBC's application to amend the permit can be accessed here. Weekly water quality testing results can be found here.

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?

Ask your MLA to commit to climate solutions that improve affordability for everyday people.

The BC NDP promised to make life more affordable for everyday people and commit to climate action. Instead, Budget 2026 is giving away billions to billionaires while everyday people pay the price.

LEARN MORE: BC POLICY SOLUTIONS | BCFED

Premier Eby is fast-tracking resource extraction and LNG exports at the expense of our climate, our environment, and access to basic services that we all need and rely on.

It doesn't have to be this way. The 2025 Climate Emergency Progress Report outlines four ways that BC could increase revenue:

1. Tax the super rich
2. Tax big polluters
3. Increase royalty rates for fossil fuels and water
4. End fossil fuel subsidies

READ THE REPORT | WATCH THE WEBINAR | LISTEN TO CBC

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Take Action! Email your MLA

Please take two minutes to email your MLA and ask them to commit to climate solutions that improve affordability for everyday people.

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Public dollars should deliver public benefits. We need to demand better from our MLAs.

Eoin Finn

Board Chair
My Sea to Sky

MLAs only act when they hear from their constituents, which is why we are organizing our supporters to email and meet with their MLA to demand climate action.

Can you email or meet with your MLA? We will support you every step of the way. Here's what you can do:

1. Email your MLA

We keep hearing from MLAs that their constituents don't care about climate change. But 83% of Canadians believe our governments should act on climate.

Please take two minutes to email your MLA and ask them to commit to climate solutions that improve affordability for everyday people.

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2. Learn more about the report

Join Tracey Saxby, lead author of the 2025 Climate Emergency Progress Report, as she shares key findings at a webinar hosted by the West Coast Climate Action Network.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 11th at 12pm PT

WHERE: via zoom

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3. Sign up to meet your MLA

We are working closely with the BC Climate Emergency Campaign to train everyday people to meet with their MLA. Join this training to learn how to meet with your MLA to deliver the report and demand climate policies that will make life more affordable for everyday people.

WHEN: Thursday, February 12th at 12pm PT

WHERE: via zoom

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4. Help us recruit signatories for the open letter

Do you own or work for a business? Or are you a member of a faith group, labour union, or community organization?

Ask if those organizations or businesses can sign the open letter to demand that BC take urgent climate action. You can see a list of 640+ signatories here.

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Your MLA needs to hear from you to drive political action—especially on climate. We need to speak up now to demand a safer, more affordable future.

With hope and solidarity,

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 Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. Can you chip in?

BC is broke. Thanks (in part) to the gongshow south of the border, BC's Finance Minister Brenda Bailey is warning that there will be budget cuts for healthcare and other critical public services that we all rely on.

But while everyday people get budget cuts, Premier David Eby and Minister of Energy Adrian Dix are giving away billions in handouts to greenwash LNG. READ THE REPORT

BC's lavish giveaway

BC’s latest Industrial Strategy aims to fast-track and subsidize LNG exports with cheap electricity and new transmission lines paid for by British Columbians. Let's tally it up:

• $6 billion for the North Coast Transmission Line, which has been declared a "Project of National Interest" by the Federal government (at BC's request).
• $16 billion for the Site C dam boondoggle, and we need eight Site C dams to power all approved LNG projects. Woodfibre LNG alone needs 40% of the electricity from Site C dam which works out at a tidy $6.4 billion.
• BC Hydro's Call for Power will also increase our energy bills, as the cost of building new energy projects will be passed on to ratepayers.
• LNG projects also get discounted electricity rates, paying less than half the cost of producing the electricity, which means we pay more.

Feeling angry yet? You should be. BC is spending taxpayer dollars to greenwash LNG and your energy bills are going to go up.

This is the opposite of the BC NDP's mandate to "reduce costs for families."

Gambling on LNG revenues

Eby and Dix are gambling on revenue from LNG exports to fill the budget gap, but this is a risky, boom or bust industry and that promised revenue is going up in smoke. Literally.

LNG Canada is for sale after operating at one-third of the promised capacity due to equipment issues and is flaring 15 times more toxic gas than expected.

Analysts are predicting that Canada's LNG projects will end up as stranded assets as demand for LNG is projected to decline as other countries rapidly switch to renewable energy.

Like Australia, it's unlikely that BC will ever see the payoff from investing billions of taxpayer and ratepayer dollars to greenwash LNG.

Public dollars should deliver public benefits. Instead BC is giving billions to billionaires.

What can you do?

Last month, we released the 2025 Climate Emergency Progress Report which reveals BC's outrageous giveaway. If you haven't already, listen to our ED, Tracey Saxby, who is the lead author of the report, interviewed by Jason De Souza on CBC All Points West.

Then take action!

1. Email your MLA

We keep hearing from MLAs that their constituents don't care about climate change. But 83% of Canadians believe our governments should act on climate.

Please take two minutes to email your MLA and ask them to commit to climate solutions that improve affordability for everyday people.

2. Learn more about the report

Join Tracey Saxby, lead author of the 2025 Climate Emergency Progress Report, as she shares key findings at a webinar hosted by the West Coast Climate Action Network.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 11th at 12pm PT

WHERE: via zoom

3. Meet your MLA

Your MLA works for you—but they only act when they hear from constituents.

We are working closely with the BC Climate Emergency Campaign to train everyday people to meet with their MLA. Join this training to learn how to meet with your MLA to deliver the report and demand climate policies that will make life more affordable for everyday people.

WHEN: Thursday, February 12th at 12pm PT

WHERE: via zoom

4. Help us recruit signatories for the open letter

Do you own or work for a business? Or are you a member of a faith group, labour union, or community organization?

Ask if those organizations or businesses can sign the open letter to demand that BC take urgent climate action. You can see a list of 640+ signatories here.

Thank you for helping us to put pressure on the BC government to invest in climate solutions instead of greenwashing LNG.

With righteous anger,

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?

Last week, we released the 2025 Climate Emergency Progress Report with a stark warning: BC's gamble on the risky, boom or bust LNG industry will cancel out climate progress in every other sector, while everyday people pay the price.

CBC ALL POINTS WEST | RADIO CANADA | READ THE REPORT

Climate change is already placing immense financial, social, and health burdens on British Columbians. We’re paying more for food to feed our families, energy costs are going up, and insurance is more expensive. People living in communities across BC have been displaced by wildfires and floods, and thousands have lost their homes or face costly repairs.

As climate impacts continue to intensify, we need to ask ourselves: how can we build a prosperous, healthy, and safe British Columbia over the next decade, together?

Will BC be a climate villain or a climate leader?

In the past year, the BC government has backtracked on climate action, environmental protection, and reconciliation.

The BC government is making life even more unaffordable as our politicians prioritize the profits of multi-national corporations over public health, safety, and a livable future for British Columbians.

BC is not on track to meet its climate targets. Approved Liquefied Natural Gas projects will increase BC’s climate pollution by 10 times more than we have reduced it in the last twenty years.

Instead of investing in renewable energy to electrify our homes and transportation and reduce our energy costs, the BC government plans to use our limited electricity to greenwash fossil fuels at public expense.

Premier Eby and Minister Dix are betting on future revenue from the risky, boom or bust LNG industry, but we need a reality check because projected revenue from gas royalties (including LNG) is ~$1 billion dollars in 2026/27, which is equivalent to the cost of fighting BC wildfires in 2023.

Revenue from LNG exports will not pay for schools or hospitals. Instead, LNG is adding more fuel to the fire and will make climate impacts worse.

83% of Canadians believe our governments should act on climate. Investing in climate action will cut pollution, reduce energy and transportation costs, create sustainable jobs, build healthier communities, and improve energy security, all of which are critically important given the current geo-political context.

BC is at a crossroads. We believe that a fair and fossil-free future is possible and that we can build a prosperous, healthy, and safe British Columbia, together.

We’re calling on the BC government to roll up their sleeves and get to work. We need to build for the future, not the past.

What can you do?

1. Email your MLA

We keep hearing from MLAs that their constituents don't care about climate change. We need to change that.

Please take two minutes to email your MLA and ask them to commit to climate solutions that improve affordability for everyday people.

2. Learn more about the report

Please join me as I share the key findings of the 2025 Climate Emergency Progress Report at a webinar hosted by the West Coast Climate Action Network.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 11th at 12pm PT

WHERE: via zoom

3. Meet your MLA

Your MLA works for you—but they only act when they hear from constituents.

We are working closely with the BC Climate Emergency Campaign to train everyday people to meet with their MLA. Join this training to learn how to meet with your MLA to deliver the report and demand climate policies that will make life more affordable for everyday people.

WHEN: Thursday, February 12th at 12pm PT

WHERE: via zoom

4. Help us recruit signatories for the open letter

Do you own or work for a business? Or are you a member of a faith group, labour union, or community organization?

Ask if those organizations or businesses can sign the open letter to demand that BC take urgent climate action. You can see a list of 640+ signatories here.

It is truly an honour and a joy to be part of this collective movement to demand climate action and protect what we love. Thank you for being part of it.

With hope and determination,

Tracey Saxby

Executive Director
My Sea to Sky

Our politicians have been very naughty this year.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby have doubled down on fracking and dirty LNG exports, given away public money to fossil fuel companies, and increased energy costs for everyday Canadians to greenwash LNG.

Like the grinch, they’re stealing a livable future from our children.

Send them a lump of coal for Christmas!

Pick a postcard and customize your message in this holiday-themed action.

83% of Canadians believe governments should act on climate.

We need our politicians to stop adding more fuel to the fire.

Wishing you all a fun and feisty holiday season.

Tracey Saxby

Executive Director
My Sea to Sky

P.S. On a serious note, as I write this, flood warnings and advisories are in place across BC, and tens of thousands of people are without power. My heart goes out to everyone affected by the floods and power outtages. Please stay safe out there.

Did you know that Canada is the fourth-largest oil producer and fifth-largest methane gas producer? Or that Canada is among the top ten biggest climate polluters in the world?

It's really no surprise that Canada and BC are not on track to meet their climate targets.

Send a lump of coal for Christmas!

83% of Canadians believe governments should act on climate. But our politicians have been very naughty this year.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby have doubled down on fracking and dirty LNG exports, given away public money to fossil fuel companies, and increased energy costs for everyday Canadians to greenwash LNG.

Like the grinch, they’re stealing a livable future from our children.

Send them a lump of coal for Christmas!

Pick a postcard and customize your message in this holiday-themed action.

We need our politicians to stop adding more fuel to the fire.

Thanks for taking this fun and feisty holiday action.

Happy holidays,

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?

Share how important clean air is to you. Do you or your family have health conditions that could be impacted by flaring from Woodfibre LNG?

I’m a Squamish mom, and a former investigative journalist.

In spring 2023 I sat at my kitchen table wondering what local health effects there might be from Woodfibre LNG’s flarestack.

I reached out to Tracey at My Sea to Sky and worked with Canada’s top public-health and air quality researchers to answer one central question:

What are we actually breathing when LNG plants operate near residential communities and flare massive volumes of gas?

The results of the first study were published this September in an independent, peer-reviewed analysis. What we uncovered should concern every family in Squamish.

The research found that LNG “start-up” phases release three times more gas than companies model in their environmental assessments.

These flares are hotter, louder, and significantly more polluting than regular operations. They also emit toxic and carcinogenic pollutants — including benzene and fine particulate matter — at levels that have never been properly modelled, measured, monitored comprehensively, or disclosed by LNG operators or regulators.

LEARN MORE: CBC | NATIONAL OBSERVER | SQUAMISH CHIEF | READ THE STUDY

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LNG Canada's toxic flare can reach 90 metres high

Residents in Kitimat, B.C., are already reporting toxic air pollution from LNG Canada’s flarestack that is affecting the health of residents and their children.

In the U.S., a new report found that all operational LNG terminals had violated pollution limits. In Canada, a broader investigation by The Tyee shows that many health risks tied to LNG expansion are being ignored. Doctors are warning that "people are getting sick."

We put together videos from Kitimat residents showing the toxic black plume and massive flare at LNG Canada which can reach 90 metres high.

WATCH ON: INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

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TAKE ACTION! Our communities deserve to have clean air

My Sea to Sky is calling on the BC government to immediately require full modelling and accounting of flaring emissions for Woodfibre LNG in the LNG commissioning phase.

We are endorsing the call by doctors, nurses, and First Nations leaders for an independent, cumulative, comprehensive human health impacts assessment of the gas industry in BC – from fracking to transport, liquefaction and export.

Please take a minute to send a letter to regulators. Let them know the health impacts of flaring from Woodfibre LNG must be assessed. Talk to your neighbours, call your MLA and MP to share your concerns.

Our communities deserve to have clean air, not toxic pollution from Woodfibre LNG's flarestack.

Kate McInnes

Director of Health and Economic Campaigns
My Sea to Sky

This Thursday, Woodfibre LNG is hosting an open house in Squamish. Can you join us to tell Woodfibre LNG to pay their fair share in taxes?

WHEN: 6:30pm on Thursday, November 27, 2025

WHERE: Executive Suites, Squamish

WHAT: Join us for a photo action to tell Woodfibre LNG to pay their fair share in taxes!

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What is happening?

Woodfibre LNG is suing the District of Squamish over taxes, 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.

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?

LEARN MORE

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That's why we're organizing a fun photo action at the open house to hold Woodfibre LNG accountable. Can you join us?

Detailed Itinerary

4:30pm Open house starts

6:15pm Pick up your sign at the door

6:30pm Photo action starts

6:45pm Photo action ends

7:30pm Open house ends

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We hope to see you there!

Tracey Saxby

Executive Director
My Sea to Sky

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?

Frontline 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

As our provincial and federal governments double down on more LNG expansion, Kitimat residents are sounding the alarm about flaring from LNG Canada.

THE NARWHAL | THE TYEE

The "Eye of Sauron"

Nicknamed the "Eye of Sauron" by Kitimat residents, flaring began over a year ago as LNG Canada tested its gas turbines and compressors during commissioning of the LNG export facility.

Flaring is the burning of excess methane and results in local air pollution that worsens health risks for people living in nearby communities.

The flare events last for days or weeks, are often unplanned, and the flame height can reach up to 95 metres high. Residents who live within 2–7 km of the flare have been subjected to toxic black smoke and excessive noise that is impacting their health.

VIDEO OF SMOKE VIA CAPE: INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

What Kitimat residents are saying

“It sounded like a rocket ship going off all night.”

“I’m at a wit’s end with the noise and the smoke,” he said. “I built this house with my own hands. I dug the foundation, poured the concrete. I put everything I own, all my savings, into it. Now I can’t even sleep in my house, it’s so noisy... Even this morning, it was like 75 to 80 decibels inside my bedroom.”

“It smells like burnt plastic or burnt Styrofoam.”

“I've been having, like, a cough, runny nose, headaches at night time. My boy, the same thing.”

“However big that tower is, that's how big that flame was, and at night time you could hear it roaring like a jet flying over the sky.”

“It's not my first time complaining about... the excessive noise coming from this LNG plant. I cannot stress enough how much disturbance this has caused at my residence and the continuous loss of sleep because of it.”

“My place, it echoes from the back to the front. It shakes my glasses in my cupboard. My dogs bark all night long. I had no sleep from Thursday till basically probably tonight [4 days later] I'll get sleep 'cause it's quiet.”

“At 2:30 when I came home, my backyard was filled with a haze. It went up the stack, came right out the back of my house and my whole backyard was a haze. It smelled like plastic for a few seconds, like burning plastic, and this is the second time this has happened. I've brought this up but I've had no answers...”

“There’s many concerns around that big black plume. Everyone around right now is talking about really severe allergies.”

COUNCIL MEETING | SKEENA WILD | THE NARWHAL | SQUAMISH CHIEF

Flaring is underestimated and omitted from review

New research has found that LNG export terminals flare three times more gas during commissioning than regular operations. These emissions aren't modelled in environmental assessments, even though commissioning is the most polluting phase and lasts for two years on average.

This means that regulators are underestimating air pollution and human health impacts for people living in communities nearby.

Woodfibre LNG claims that commissioning will last for one month with intermittent flare events of 3–4 days. Laura Minet, the lead researcher of the study and head of the Clean Air Lab at the University of Victoria says that's "hard to believe" given that LNG Canada has been in its commissioning phase for over a year.

SQUAMISH CHIEF | RADIO CANADA | READ THE STUDY

Doctors warn "people are getting sick"

Healthcare professionals and Indigenous leaders are calling to halt LNG expansion until the health impacts are studied, warning of serious health risks for frontline communities like Kitimat and Squamish.

Flaring releases benzene, fine particulates, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and carcinogenic volatile organic compounds—all known to harm human health, even over short exposure periods. These pollutants are "linked to heart disease, asthma, pregnancy complications, and premature death."

“In conversations with local residents, especially older adults and those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, I’ve heard first-hand accounts of worsening symptoms that coincide with heavy flaring from LNG operations," said Ankur Patel, a registered nurse in Kitimat.

TIMES COLONIST | VANCOUVER SUN | THE TYEE | CITY NEWS

TAKE ACTION! Halt LNG expansion until health impacts are studied

It's clear that pollution from flaring at LNG export projects is being systematically underestimated by project proponents. This means the impacts of these hidden emissions on climate, air quality, and human health have not been adequately assessed.

"Our study shows B.C.’s risk assessments are inadequate and fail to protect public health," write Dr. Tim Takaro and Dr. Laura Minet.

My Sea to Sky is calling on the BC government to immediately require full modelling and accounting of flaring emissions for Woodfibre LNG in the LNG commissioning phase.

We are endorsing the call by doctors, nurses, and First Nations leaders for an independent, cumulative, comprehensive human health impacts assessment of the gas industry in BC – from fracking to transport, liquefaction and export.

Please take a minute to send a letter to regulators. Let them know the health impacts of flaring from Woodfibre LNG must be assessed. Talk to your neighbours, call your MLA and MP to share your concerns.

Our communities deserve clean air, not toxic pollution from Woodfibre LNG's flarestack.

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 Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. Can you chip in?

This Saturday, please join me and other My Sea to Sky supporters as we march in Vancouver to "Draw the Line" and demand urgent climate action.

I'm a trained scientist, and I think we're in real trouble with climate change. We have to stop burning fossil fuels, we have to stop subsidizing fossil fuels, and we have to leave a better planet for our children and our grandchildren.

Instead, our provincial and federal governments are doubling down on dirty fossil fuels with the recent approvals of the PRGT pipeline, Ksi Lisims LNG, and LNG Canada Phase 2.

Even worse: our government gave away nearly $30 billion of our taxpayer dollars in 2024 to oil and gas companies.

Draw the Line in Vancouver!

On Saturday, September 20, people across Canada and around the world are uniting to "Draw the Line." For People. For Peace. For the Planet.

RSVP now to pick up a free fire emoji sign and march with My Sea to Sky!

WHEN: 2pm to 4:30pm, Saturday September 20, 2025

WHERE: Vancouver Public Library (Central)
300 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B1

SIGN PICKUP: find us at 2pm on the corner of Georgia and Homer Street to pick up your sign.

Why we're "Drawing the Line"

We refuse to stand by while our government and Canada’s richest corporations hoard wealth, gut our public services, fuel climate collapse, attack migrants, exploit Indigenous lands, and prop up a genocide in Palestine.

We are uniting in a global show of support for climate justice, migrant justice, economic justice, Indigenous rights, and anti-war movements.

From rallies to strikes, marches to gatherings, communities are taking a stand to demand that our government pick a side: injustice, violence, and climate destruction—or a just and safe future for all of us.

Our demands:

• Put people over corporate profit. Fund our families and communities.
• Refuse ongoing colonialism. Uphold Indigenous sovereignty.
• Stop blaming migrants. Demand full immigration status for all.
• End the war machine. Stand for justice and peace.
• End the era of fossil fuels. Protect Mother Earth.

This is more than just one day of action. This is an invitation to community groups and social movements across the country to unite, to learn from each other, and grow alliances so that we can organize together for a better future.

Other events are planned in Courtenay, Denman Island, Kamloops, Kelowna, Kimberley, Nanaimo, Penticton, Powell River, Prince George, Saltspring Island, Sechelt, Smithers, Vancouver, Vernon, Victoria and more!

*******

Please join me this Saturday, September 20 in Vancouver as I march for the future of my children and my grandchildren.

I hope to see you there.

Eoin Finn

Board Chair
My Sea to Sky

Last week I was choking on smoke, as the air quality index in Squamish reached hazardous levels of 878 AQI, and Vancouver was the most polluted city in the world.

Most of British Columbia is still covered in smoke (see the Firesmoke forecast) as 143 wildfires burn across BC (see the BC Wildfire Dashboard).

This year is Canada's second-worst wildfire season on record. Over 8.7 million hectares have burned. That's bigger than the entire province of New Brunswick.

I grew up in Alberta, and back then, no one questioned oil and gas. It's just what we did. But things are different now.

We know that burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, making the planet warmer. Higher temperatures dries out the forests and grasslands, making them more flammable. Heatwaves and droughts become more frequent and severe. All it takes is a spark from a lightning strike or humans to ignite a wildfire.

It's all connected!

Carney is fast-tracking fossil fuels with your money

We know we need to stop burning fossil fuels. Yet today Mark Carney announced that LNG Canada Phase 2 will be fast-tracked through the new Major Projects Office.

LNG is a fossil fuel. There is nothing "clean" or "green" about it. It's ridiculous to think that burning more fossil fuels will somehow solve climate change.

Everyday people are struggling to pay rent and buy groceries, while our government gave away nearly $30 billion of our taxpayer dollars in 2024 to oil and gas companies.

Meanwhile, Carney plans to cut back on public services so we can prop up fossil fuels?

I've had enough!

Draw the Line in Vancouver!

On Saturday, September 20, people across Canada and around the world are uniting to "Draw the Line." For People. For Peace. For the Planet.

RSVP now to pick up a free fire emoji sign and march with My Sea to Sky!

WHEN: 2pm to 4:30pm, Saturday September 20, 2025

WHERE: Vancouver Public Library (Central)
300 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B1

SIGN PICKUP: find us at 2pm on the corner of Georgia and Homer Street to pick up your sign.

Why we're "Drawing the Line"

We refuse to stand by while our government and Canada’s richest corporations hoard wealth, gut our public services, fuel climate collapse, attack migrants, exploit Indigenous lands, and prop up a genocide in Palestine.

We are uniting in a global show of support for climate justice, migrant justice, economic justice, Indigenous rights, and anti-war movements.

From rallies to strikes, marches to gatherings, communities are taking a stand to demand that our government pick a side: injustice, violence, and climate destruction—or a just and safe future for all of us.

Our demands:

• Put people over corporate profit. Fund our families and communities.
• Refuse ongoing colonialism. Uphold Indigenous sovereignty.
• Stop blaming migrants. Demand full immigration status for all.
• End the war machine. Stand for justice and peace.
• End the era of fossil fuels. Protect Mother Earth.

This is more than just one day of action. This is an invitation to community groups and social movements across the country to unite, to learn from each other, and grow alliances so that we can organize together for a better future.

Other events are planned in Courtenay, Denman Island, Kamloops, Kelowna, Kimberley, Nanaimo, Penticton, Powell River, Prince George, Saltspring Island, Sechelt, Smithers, Vancouver, Vernon, Victoria and more!

*******

I hope to see you on Saturday, September 20 in Vancouver.

In solidarity,

Linda Smart

Volunteer
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?

On Saturday, September 20, people across Canada and around the world are uniting to "Draw the Line." For People. For Peace. For the Planet.

We refuse to stand by while our government and Canada’s richest corporations hoard wealth, gut our public services, fuel climate collapse, attack migrants, exploit Indigenous lands, and prop up a genocide in Palestine.

We are uniting in a global show of support for climate justice, migrant justice, economic justice, Indigenous rights, and anti-war movements.

From rallies to strikes, marches to gatherings, communities are taking a stand to demand that our government pick a side: injustice, violence, and climate destruction—or a just and safe future for all of us.

Our demands:

• Put people over corporate profit. Fund our families and communities.
• Refuse ongoing colonialism. Uphold Indigenous sovereignty.
• Stop blaming migrants. Demand full immigration status for all.
• End the war machine. Stand for justice and peace.
• End the era of fossil fuels. Protect Mother Earth.

This is more than just one day of action. This is an invitation to community groups and social movements across the country to unite, to learn from each other, and grow alliances so that we can organize together for a better future.

Events are planned in Courtenay, Denman Island, Kamloops, Kelowna, Kimberley, Nanaimo, Penticton, Powell River, Prince George, Saltspring Island, Sechelt, Vancouver, Vernon, Victoria and more!

*******

Join us in Vancouver!

Pick up a free fire emoji sign and march with My Sea to Sky as we "Draw the Line" in Vancouver.

WHEN: 2pm to 4:30pm, Saturday September 20, 2025

WHERE: Vancouver Public Library (Central)
300 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B1

SIGN PICKUP: find us at 2pm on the corner of Georgia and Homer Street to pick up your sign.