Skip to content

Squamish weighs in on proposed Britannia Beach work camp

Council asking province to have a second look at environmental assessments for Woodfibre and Fortis
1
A concept graphic of the proposed work camp.

Squamish municipal council is voicing its concerns about the controversial proposed Britannia Beach work camp.

As part of the process for considering a temporary use permit, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District asked Squamish for feedback regarding the 500-person camp, which may*** house workers from Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC during the construction of those projects.

The SLRD is making the final decision on whether the camp goes ahead.

The camp would be operated by LandSea Camp Services.

The local company is not affiliated with the projects, but is hoping to house their workers.

Squamish council’s comments would be non-binding suggestions.

Councillors decided to ask for more time to give feedback, pending an expected opinion from the province’s Environmental Assessment Office. The SLRD previously asked the EAO for an opinion on the camp in April and is still awaiting a reply.

Council voted unanimously in favour of also asking the province to consider re-assessing the environmental assessment certificates given to Woodfibre and the related Fortis project, should it be found that they require workforce housing.

This suggestion is non-binding.

It was a motion made shortly after Tracey Saxby of My Sea to Sky said those projects originally stated there wouldn’t be a need for work camps.

She said the creation of a work camp is inconsistent with the companies’ prior promises.

“We’d expect the [Environmental Assessment Office] to amend their certificates and do the appropriate assessment,” said Mayor Karen Elliott, when commenting on the possibility a camp is deemed necessary.

Council raised several concerns about the workcamp.

Elliott said that Squamish could be left with a higher RCMP bill if police have to work overtime to address civil disobedience. Activists could try interfering with the camp and its workers, she noted.

There were also questions about where solid waste from the camp would go.

Elliott also voiced concerns about sexual exploitation related to work camps.

Staff noted there would be wildfire concerns from more people being in the area.

Elliott noted there’s no firm deal between the District and Woodfibre regarding Darrell Bay, which is where workers would presumably be shuttled, and eventually transported, to Woodfibre.

However, Coun. John French said that the camp could help alleviate the housing shortage in Squamish. He noted that many other retailers and companies in town might be able to use the accommodations, too.

 

***Correction: The article previously said the camp was expected to house Woodfibre and Fortis workers. In fact, this is still unclear, as the companies have not yet indicated their position on the matter.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks