It comes down to details when siphoning out the differences between the mayoral frontrunners’ points of view on the proposed Woodfibre liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant.
Coun. Patricia Heintzman said she believes the export plant will have a negative net effect on Squamish’s economy. Moving the facility into town will stifle other industries and the tourism sector that has recently taken root, she said.
Squamish saw little to no growth in the ’90s, when heavy industry made up the community’s economic backbone, Heintzman said. Only after the mills closed did Squamish experience interest from education and technology sectors, she said, adding unlike other mill towns, that factor helped Squamish survive the mill’s departure.
Now it’s time to fill the job gap for residents commuting to the Lower Mainland and Whistler. That doesn’t mean light industry isn’t a part of the picture, but it has to be in keeping with Squamish’s new outdoors-oriented clientele, Heintzman said.
“From my point of view, that can’t be compromised,” she said.
That’s also where the buck stops with incumbent Mayor Rob Kirkham.
“What’s most important to me and for our community is our local natural environment, and that is the crux of the matter,” he said.
It’s part of the reason Kirkham said he went on a trade mission with B.C. Premier Christy Clark to China last November. It’s been common practice for Squamish mayors to visit the Asian country — including former Mayor Greg Gardner. Kirkham said he took the opportunity as part of his due diligence in speaking with the investors eyeing Squamish.
While both candidates agree that the project has to be acceptable to the community environmentally, how they ensure that happens and get the province’s ear differs. Kirkham said he set up the municipality’s Woodfibre LNG Community Committee to add council’s voice to Woodfibre’s environmental assessment (EA) application process. Not only does the committee enable the district to address specific questions, but it also gives municipal officials the chance to outline what is unacceptable to the community.
“I believe it is really important to have specific unacceptable impacts that we’re in a position as a municipal government to go directly to the province, besides just submitting to the EA process,” Kirkham said.
The District of Squamish council needs to be more transparent in its dealings with Woodfibre and more vigilant, Heintzman said. At the same time, the community needs to explore, encourage and promote alternative industrial development throughout Squamish, she said.
“Fundamentally, I have been the only person asking tough questions in council. I think regardless of if you are supportive of the idea or you’re skeptical of the idea, council’s role is to make sure we are asking the tough questions and not just so we’ve got a committee and they are going to ask the tough questions”
With the anti-Woodfibre LNG crowd rallying behind Heintzman, she said she is concerned she won’t be able to satisfy all those supports. Like both candidates have noted throughout this election campaign, ultimately the district has little authority over the project.
“I think fundamentally, really people need to have confidence that we are doing our do diligence and being inclusive, so there is at least confidence that we are covering our bases,” Heintzman said.
