‘A well informed choice’ says Chief

Members of the Tsawwassen Nation have voted down plans to build a liquefied natural gas export facility in their lands.

Leaders said in November that they would let the nation’s members decide whether or not they wanted the project. The vote on Dec. 16 had 53 per cent of voters opposed to the concept. Forty-eight per cent of eligible voters on- and off-reserve participated, with 74 members saying ‘No’ and 65 saying ‘Yes’. There was one rejected ballot.

The nation announced in a media release that it would not be going ahead with further discussions around the project, which would occupy 32 hectares and produce from three to five million tonnes of LNG each year.

The proposal came with promised jobs and “significant” financial gain, however there were concerns about the deal. Some members were worried about the fact that no environmental assessment would be done prior to the vote. They also worried about the quick vote just weeks after the band announced it was considering LNG on Nov. 16.

The vote showed that the majority of members put those concerns ahead of money. A question-and-answer sheet on the proposal from chief and council was leaked by a Tsawwassen member to the Delta Optimist newspaper, indicating that members would receive $5,000 per year for up to three years while the facility was being built, plus $15,000 per year for the entire 40-year lease.

Chief Bryce Williams said that members put considerable time, energy and effort into considering the facility. “I was extremely impressed with the level of engagement we saw during the vote,” he said.

“It was clear to me that our community educated itself and made a well-informed choice. I look forward to continuing to work with our community as we work to secure our long-term goal of building a healthy and sustainable future for our children.”