Thank you for your editorial titled “Pssst, Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC workers” [published on July 11]. In writing this piece, you have done us a great service in that, finally, the elephant is out of the room about what is really going on with our city council and TUPs regarding Woodfibre.
Everyone knows the elephant is there plain as can be, but no-one called it and you have. Thank you.
Sadly, Squamish is a divided community on the Woodfibre LNG issue. Combatants talk down and sometimes vilify those who disagree with their point of view. Many are afraid to speak out for fear of being landed on. This is very sad for us, and I am calling for an end to it. We (all of us) must do more to honour democracy and respect that disagreement does take place while exercising way more civility. The notion that says I’m right therefore, you are wrong is deadly stuff.
Now that the elephant is truly out there and plain to see, the majority of council are obviously against the Woodfibre LNG project. Fair enough, we can respect that. However, what I see at council debates is concern about many solvable side issues connected to the TUP, but never do we hear “It’s not really about those other issues, I just don’t support the project, so I am voting against the TUP.” I am one citizen who could at least respect that position, given how honest it is.
To the woman’s safety issue. Yes, I am a man, but as a loving father and grandfather of girls, I believe I can offer a comment. I am very protective of them. As a former coroner, I saw firsthand the tragedy associated with family violence here in Squamish. But maligning men simply because they choose remote work in construction camps is simply not right. It might serve council well to ask our RCMP commander to canvas the detachments in six B.C. towns who had camps recently to inquire about their experience. It wouldn’t take long.
To council, whether you realize this or not, your tactics and distraction issues are really plugging up life at city hall, given the exorbitant amount of time staff must give to the TUPs. It’s time to say that if you don’t want it then turn it down, and we get on with what may. Otherwise, express your deep displeasure and approve it. Either way be the leaders who help us bring our town back together rather than driving it further apart. Our division is anything but positive. Thank you.
Peter Gordon
Squamish
