To succeed, an economic development project must be right for the surrounding community. As president of Blackcomb Aviation, I know that from personal experience.
I am writing this letter because I strongly believe Woodfibre LNG is right for Squamish.
Woodfibre will employ 500 workers during construction and, importantly, will bring 100 long-term good-paying jobs to the area once the plant is in operation.
The project is also expected to contribute at least $2 million each year to the community’s tax base –new revenue that will help shift the burden off local residents.
When speaking to people about the project, I often hear questions about the mix between industry and tourism: Can the two co-exist? I strongly believe they can.
Like so many businesses across Sea-to-Sky Country, Blackcomb Aviation depends on the continued growth of both tourism and industry. When you see one of our aircraft overhead, it’s just as likely to be a heli-skiing or sightseeing charter, as it is a technical crew and equipment en route to a mining or logging camp or servicing a critical telecommunications repeater.
In this, I believe we are just one small example of the larger story that makes up British Columbia. Our province was built on industries like forestry and mining; they are as much a part of our DNA as the natural beauty that attracts tourists from around the world.
I believe it is a mistake to pit one against the other – or to suggest they are mutually exclusive. When done responsibly, tourism and industry have always worked together to support British Columbia’s long-term prosperity.
That’s why I support the Woodfibre LNG project. It’s an example of a natural resources project that not only respects neighbouring businesses that count on tourist dollars but also supports them. Estimated to inject an estimated $6 million in wages into the economy every year, Woodfibre LNG will mean more business for shops, restaurants and outdoor recreation operators.
What’s more, the project’s environmentally conscious approach will protect the area’s natural beauty. In reusing the former pulp mill site, which has stood idle for years, Woodfibre will clean up the land to today’s environmental standards. And by being one of the cleanest LNG facilities in the world, Woodfibre will serve as a positive example of our province’s long history in resource development.
Industry and tourism can coexist – especially when done right. That’s why I believe Woodfibre LNG is right for Squamish.
Jonathan Burke
President & COO, Blackcomb Aviation
