The anti-LNG group My Sea to Sky is organizing a local direct action training workshop for individuals wanting to step up their protest of the Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC projects.
Jessie Schwarz, a former volunteer-coordinator with Greenpeace Canada, will conduct the training scheduled for Saturday, April 30.
An earlier My Sea to Sky workshop on direct action was held in October.
“To take collective action to change our circumstances without handing our power over to a middle person” is how Vanessa Senecal, the My Sea to Sky organizer of the event, describes direct action.
“It is a physical act, so it can often speak louder and deeper than anything that you could say or write,” she explained.
Direct action is traditionally a way of protesting to get the attention of those in positions of power, often through sit-ins, strikes or occupations.
Senecal didn’t have exact details of what will be taught at the upcoming session, but topics at the upcoming workshop may include: direct action theory and history, basic blockading, legal rights and de-escalation skills.
Senecal stressed the focus of the training and of My Sea to Sky is non-violent civil disobedience.
The event has already proven so popular it’s full, with about 30 people signed up. A wait list has been started, Senecal said.
Many who oppose the liquefied natural gas plant proposed for Howe Sound and the associated natural gas pipeline found the Environmental Assessment for the project to be “a sham process,” according to Senecal.
Even though thousands wrote letters of opposition, the Woodfibre LNG export facility received both provincial and federal approval, she said.
“So community members feel like they aren’t being listened to right now and they’re asking what other ways are there to make their voices heard,” she said. “It is definitely something community members are clearly asking for.”
Senecal said she still personally believes the projects can be stopped.
“It is not a done deal,” she said. “They still need approval from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and from the Ministry of Transportation. The proponent hasn’t made a final investment decision…. I could go on and on with reasons why I have hope that this is not going to come to pass.
“We have to be aware of the various tools that we have to empower ourselves as community members and citizens locally and globally to do what we can to create the future that we want.”
Senecal said My Sea to Sky has no specific direct action events planned.
Woodfibre LNG’s Byng Giraud, country manager and vice-president of corporate affairs, said he was aware of the upcoming training session.
“This is Canada. People have the right to express themselves,” he said. “But it’s also important to remember that if you live in Squamish or the surrounding communities, that many of our employees are your neighbours, and just like everyone else, they are entitled to work free from harassment and intimidation.” Giraud said the company has policies and procedures in place in the event of protesters.
Mayor Patricia Heintzman said she was not concerned about any non-violent protests in Squamish planned by the activists. “It is your right to protest,” she said.
The free direct action workshop takes place on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Squamish Public Library meeting room. To get onto the wait list, email [email protected].
