It’s not the type of documentary Les McDonald ever anticipated he would shoot.
But after the travel, nature and wilderness videographer heard about the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant that, if approved, would go up along the shore of Howe Sound, he felt he had no choice.
“I am hoping it will generate awareness,” McDonald said.
The former Banff resident picked up his camera and started asking for Squamish residents’ take on the Woodfibre Natural Gas plan.
McDonald said he was tired of looking for Woodfibre LNG videos on YouTube and only finding pieces produced by B.C. Premier Christy Clark’s staff, who are waving the LNG flag. He wanted to hear what locals had to say and learn about how the project might impact their lives.
On Sunday (June 29), McDonald invited the community down to Nexen Beach for a potluck and interviews for the documentary.
“I was amazed at the diversity of people and the history here,” McDonald said.
Approximately 50 people turned out for the three-hour event. McDonald conducted eight interviews, which will go into the final product, including one with Thor Froslev, the founder of the Brackendale Art Gallery. Froslev was a wealth of historical knowledge, McDonald said, noting he was able to talk about the former industrial uses at Nexen Beach and their impact on the sound.
“Howe Sound is an ecosystem in recovery,” McDonald said, adding he hopes his documentary will make people think about the long-term strategy for the sound and its rehabilitation.
McDonald plans to do a series of YouTube videos addressing the LNG proposal as the process moves along.
“A once-a-week rant,” he said. “Rick Mercer style.”
So far, McDonald doesn’t have a production date set for the documentary. That will largely depend on the process, he said. To watch McDonald’s videos visit Tracker Productions on YouTube.
