The Regional District of Fraser Fort George (RDFFG) had mixed feelings on whether or not to allow the West Coast Olefins plant in the Pineview area.
No decision could be successfully made by the district, and the whole discussion got pushed back to a future date.
It was a full boardroom this morning (Nov.18th) when the Natural Gas Extraction Plant slated for the Pineview area was initially discussed, with many of the residents in attendance showing their disdain for the project.
The district voted on whether to get some public consultation, as well as bring more information to the table, but the votes tied with seven for and seven against.
Those for:
- Warren Wilson
- Art Kaehn
- Lyn Hall
- Terri McConachie
- Kyle Sampson
- Allan Frederick
- Murry Krause
Those against:
- Lara Beckett
- Bill Empey
- Kevin Dunphy
- Pat Crook
- Joan Atkinson
- Owen Torgerson
- Danielle Alan
Many of those who are for pushing the plant-forward noted they wanted to give this project due process.
“I think that it’s really important to when we go through processes like these that we have all the information. At this point, I would say I would like to hear more on this application, rather than deny where we are at,” said Kyle Sampson.
“I just don’t feel like our board is fully informed with all of the information. And only after that fact can we make a… you know, good informed decision making is messy, and it takes time,” said Terri McConachie.
If the plant was pushed forward, it would then go to the Agricultural Land Commission, and if they said yes, it would come back to the RDFFG again for another public consultation, but many board members wanted the buck to stop right there.
“The current crisis in our province clearly highlights the fragility of food security. And we must be making progress on this. So the removal of agricultural land reserve for industrial use is not, in my opinion, the responsible or right thing to do,” said Joan Atkinson.
“This project is a detriment to agriculture in the region, and a clear detriment, there is no argument about that. And as such, it is our responsibility to not let this application go further,” said Danielle Alan.
Another motion was pushed forward to get the project pushed forward to the Agricultural Land Commission with no recommendation, but that vote was defeated.
West Coast Olefins has seen opposition from groups like the Lheidli T’enneh, Pineview residents, and professors at UNBC.
The board also re-elected Art Kaehn as the Board Chair and Lara Beckett as the Vice-Chair.
The Board approved the following request for Community and Recreation Grants:
• $3500 to the Miworth Community Association skating rink equipment
• $12,000 to Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society for ecological restoration
• $10,000 to the Hixon Elementary PAC for swimming lessons
• $4000 to the Shell-Glen Improvement Society for operating expenses
• $3500 to the Royal Canadian Legion #75 in McBride for insurance and general expenses