Reject FortisBC's workcamp

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FortisBC has applied for two Temporary Use Permits from the District of Squamish to build a construction yard and a workcamp for up to 650 workers who will be building the Eagle Mountain Pipleine to Woodfibre LNG.

District of Squamish staff have told FortisBC that the proposed workcamp is not viable in this location due to current zoning and district policies, issues with permitting, access, services, policing, fire, and impacts to existing businesses and residents. But in the rush to construction, FortisBC is ignoring the community's concerns.

FortisBC is failing to ensure the safety and human rights of everyone that lives in the Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound region.

Dear Mayor and Council, I am very concerned about the potential environmental and social impacts of FortisBC's proposed construction yard and workcamp for up to 650 workers, and strongly urge you to reject the temporary use permits for both. Workcamps are known to have significant impacts on nearby communities, including increased rates of violent crime, including violence against Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQ+ people; increased substance abuse, sex trafficking, traffic accidents, and reduced services capacity for local residents. FortisBC has had since 2016 to make a plan to safely house its workers for this project but have failed to do so. FortisBC's current plans lack accountability and transparency and will not protect the safety and human rights of those living in the Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound region. We should not allow them to escape corporate responsibility and accountability for this failure. They must be held to higher standards. Please protect the residents of Squamish and the Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound region and reject the temporary use permits for FortisBC's proposed workcamp and construction yard. Sincerely,
Yes! Please send me updates on this issue.
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Where is FortisBC's proposed workcamp?

FortisBC has applied to the District of Squamish for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) to build a 7-hectare workcamp in the cutblock near Capilano University, accessed via the Mamquam Forest Service Road. The workcamp has 325 proposed parking stalls, plus another 420 stalls at the proposed contruction yard next to Raven's Plateau.

Three ways to take action:

1. Use the template above to send a personalized letter to council before 12pm, Tuesday September 24, 2024. Or email council directly: hearing@squamish.ca

2. Sign up to speak at the public hearing on Wednesday September 25, 2024. IMPORTANT! Email phspeakerslist@squamish.ca now to sign up to the Speaker's List early.

3. Hold a sign at the public hearing on Wednesday September 25, 2024 (no preparation necessary).

What can we ask council to do?

This is a discretionary decision, which means that council is under no obligation to approve FortisBC's workcamp. Council has the jurisdiction to:

Reject the TUP.
Defer a decision on the TUP.
Refer the TUP back to staff.

Share your story and perspective

What is your stake in the community? How will the workcamp affect you and your family? What are your concerns about the workcamp? Were you ever consulted by FortisBC in this process? Have you had enough time to meaningfully participate in this process?

IMPORTANT! If you'd like to speak at the public hearing on September 25, 2024, email phspeakerslist@squamish.ca now to sign up to the Speaker's List.

Why is FortisBC's workcamp a problem?

Studies during construction of similar industrial projects with large numbers of temporary construction workers have shown:

increased demands on hospitals, counseling, police, and ambulance services, which results in reduced service capacity for residents.
increased rate of violent crime, including sexual assault and sexualized violence, and increased domestic violence.
increased violence against Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQ+ people.
increased home prices, inflated rental costs, and decreased housing availability.
increased number of workplace accidents.
increased substance abuse and misuse.
increased traffic accidents and collisions.
Increased rates of prostitution and sex trafficking.
increased risk of COVID-19 outbreaks and sexually transmitted diseases.
waste disposal issues.

FortisBC is still failing to address many of the community's concerns. Even worse: FortisBC is already avoiding responsibility and accountability when things go wrong.

Risk to Squamish's future water supply

Aquifers under the workcamp location are identified as a future water supply for Squamish. Protecting our drinking water is critical, and as the population of Squamish grows additional sources of water will be required. Less than 10% of British Columbia has enough water and as climate change worsens drought conditions, we must protect our current and future water sources.

District staff have noted that FortisBC's workcamp presents a risk of groundwater contamination due to the presence of hazardous materials associated with the construction and operation of the proposed access road, the associated parking area, and the workcamp itself.

FortisBC has already received two warnings of non-compliance from the BC Environmental Assessment Office, for failing to store hazardous materials in appropriate storage, failing to install and maintain erosion and sediment controls, and failing to separate, cover and store contaminated soil properly.

We cannot allow FortisBC's workcamp to put Squamish's future drinking water supply at risk.

Example speaking points

FortisBC is failing to ensure the safety and human rights of everyone that lives in the Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound region.
FortisBC's current plans to manage its workers are inadequate, with a lack of enforceability, accountability, and transparency.
FortisBC has had since 2015 to make a plan to safely house its workers but has failed to do so.

More background info:

1. Watch the staff update to council at the recent September 10, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting. Time: ~2 hours. Start at 8 minutes in.

2. Read the 2024-09-10 staff report on FortisBC's workcamp.

3. Review the DRAFT Temporary Use Permit. Important! Council has discretion to reject this draft permit, add conditions, or refer it back to staff.

References

Firelight Group (2017) Indigenous Communities and Industrial Camps: Promoting Healthy Communities in Settings of Industrial Change. [Firelight Group, 2017]
Edwards, K. (13 May 2019) How we treat women: worker camps make it possible to build infrastructure in remote locations in Canada. Is it worth the human cost? Macleans.
Tordimah, J. (2021) Man Camps: Temporary Housing Facilities or Sites of Permanent Devastation? The Cases of British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nunavut. Western University.
Amnesty International (November 2016). Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Gender, Indigenous Rights and Energy Development in Northeast British Columbia, Canada.
Martin, K. et al. (2019) Violent Victimization Known to Law Enforcement in the Bakken Oil - Producing Region of Montana and North Dakota, 2006-2012. US Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Manitoba Clean Environment Commission (May 2018) A Review of Regional Cumulative Effects Assessment for Hydroelectric Developments on the Nelson, Burntwood and Churchill River Systems, p. 36.
Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Volume 1a, pp. 584-586.
Ontario Native Women’s Association (2019) Journey to Safe Spaces: Indigenous Anti-Trafficking Engagement Report 2017-2018, p. 7.
UN General Assembly, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly, 2 October 2007, A/RES/61/295, available at
UN General Assembly, Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, 20 December 1993, A/RES/48/104.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, resolution/ adopted by the General Assembly, 20 November 1989, A/RES/44/25. See also, additional relevant Articles: 3 (Best interests of the Child); 6 (right to survival and maximum development); and 37 (protection from cruel and degrading treatment).