How LNG is linked to violence
April 16, 2024
Savanah Norman
We need to have a difficult conversation.
We need to talk about how resource extraction projects—especially LNG—are connected to violence against women and girls. We need to demand that our governments do more to prevent the human rights abuses connected to LNG export projects like Woodfibre LNG.
Available data confirms violence against women and girls increases in or near resource extraction sites, but we don’t actually know much about how it operates or how to prevent it in practice. This is because, much like so many other threats to women’s health, it hasn’t been prioritized by governments and corporations who put their interests and profits over our wellbeing.
Violence against women and girls is the single greatest threat to our health, survival, and human rights in Canada. Teenage girls are at particularly high risk of sexual assault, exploitation, and trafficking in our communities. Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people are disproportionately likely to experience violence, to disappear, or be killed due to their race and gender.
In any other context or population, widespread, pervasive and ongoing daily human rights violations would be met with unwavering government action. When a medication has harmful and known side effects, our regulators shut it down and call for research. Why aren’t they doing the same for LNG?
Violence against women and girls is a known and reasonably foreseeable harm associated with LNG projects and transient workforces. The information Woodfibre LNG has provided to the community about their floating workcamp ("floatel") to assess whether it is a safer option is grossly inadequate.
On Tuesday, April 23, the District of Squamish Council has to make a decision about whether Woodfibre LNG's proposed floatel supports our collective vision for the future of our community. We need to call on them to stop Woodfibre LNG from turning Squamish into an experiment built on blind faith that a floatel is the solution. An independent, community-led, human rights impact assessment is necessary BEFORE council makes this decision.
Stand up and tell council to protect our human rights, hold Woodfibre LNG accountable, and demand more than a hope and prayer.
Savanah Norman
Director of Communications and Engagement
Justice for Girls *
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What is happening?
Woodfibre LNG has applied for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for a floating workcamp to house up to 650 workers. On Tuesday, April 23, the District of Squamish is holding a public hearing to listen to the community’s concerns as they consider this application.
We plan to fill this room to overflowing with people that are willing to stand up, speak up, and share their concerns about the floatel with council.
This is a critical moment in the fight to stop Woodfibre LNG. Will you come out and hold a sign? RSVP NOW
Public information meeting
WHEN: 6pm till late, Tuesday April 23, 2024
WHERE: Brennan Park Recreation Centre
1009 Centennial Way, Squamish BC
WHAT TO BRING: Your friends and neighbours.
Pick up a sign at the door.
IMPORTANT! If you want to speak, register now by emailing: phspeakerslist@squamish.ca
RSVP NOW*****
Here's how you can prepare:
1. Watch the staff update to council at the recent March 26 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Time: ~50 minutes. Start at 3:43:50.
2. Read the staff report on Woodfibre LNG's proposed Temporary Use Permit for the floating workcamp.
3. Read these key attachments from the staff report, including:
- Project description
- Site maps
- Traffic Impact Assessment
- Traffic Management Plan
- Community Services and Infrastructure Management Plan
- Construction Phase Noise Assessment
- Project stats
- Floatel worker curve
4. Read the instructions on how you can participate from the District of Squamish.
5. IMPORTANT! If you'd like to speak, email phspeakerslist@squamish.ca now to sign up to the Speaker's List.
Key bylaws and policies
The key bylaws and policies relevant to Woodfibre LNG's TUP application are:
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* My Sea to Sky has proudly partnered with Justice for Girls since 2022 to increase public awareness about the human rights impacts of workcamps.
My Sea to Sky is incredibly proud and grateful to say that we rely on the My Sea to Sky community for small donations that provide the majority of our funding. Since our launch in 2014, we have been funded through personal savings, family and friends; and powered by the passion of our volunteers. Your generous contribution will help us to run our critical campaigns to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. Can you chip in?