Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam
Rights & Title

Squamish Connect

Major Projects

The Woodfibre LNG Project consists of a liquified natural gas (LNG) facility at the former Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw village site of Swiy̓át which was also the former Woodfibre pulp and paper mill on the west side of Howe Sound.

The natural gas for Woodfibre LNG will come from the FortisBC Eagle Mountain – Gas Pipeline Project (EGP). Natural gas will be delivered through 50km of new natural gas pipeline between Coquitlam and the Woodfibre LNG site. This reflects 47 km of pipe starting near Hixon Peak to Woodfibre LNG, and another 3km in Coquitlam near Westwood Plateau.

When these two projects were initially proposed over a decade ago, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw voiced the need for the Nation’s culture, values and priorities to be reflected when assessing such large projects, which wasn’t feasible under existing provincial and federal regulatory processes. After extensive dialogue and negotiation, the Nation conducted the first legally-binding Indigenous-led environmental assessments in Canada. This Nation-led work was conducted between 2013 and 2015. During this time, extensive community engagement and technical review led to the Nation ultimately approving both projects with conditions to ensure environmental, cultural, archaeological, and social priorities were addressed with Nation oversight.

These approvals became legally binding agreements known as the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Environmental Assessment Agreements (SNEAAs), giving the Nation the same regulatory roles as provincial or federal governments. Staff in the Rights and Title Department oversee SNEAA commitments during planning, construction, operation, and closure phases of both projects.

Some of the most important outcomes of the SNEAA process have been:

  • Major design changes to both projects to address community member safety and environmental concerns
  • Accountability for promises made by Woodfibre LNG & FortisBC EGP
  • Crown & Corporate recognition of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw as an independent regulator
  • Advancement of governance rights: process continues to be a benchmark for other Nations
  • This process was considered in updates to BC Environmental Assessment Act in 2018
  • Impact Benefit Agreements were later signed with both companies in 2019 to uphold Nation interests, employment, training, business procurement and land reclamation.
  • The information provided below is specific to the SNEAAs and the Nation’s regulatory role on both projects.

Learn more & Contact Us

Whitney Joseph
Community Outreach Coordinator
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Environmental Assessment Agreements – Woodfibre LNG & Fortis EGP

Rights & Title Department, Squamish Nation

Text or Call: 778-966-1117
Email: swiyat@squamish.net

Whitney’s main focus is to provide membership with all pertinent information regarding these two projects and address any and all concerns that may arise. This is an internal position for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and not hired through either company.

Monthly newsletter updates are distributed via Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw’s website, email, and facebook with an option to sign up for the newsletters (and other notices) directly via email or text. Notices are delivered door-to-door on an as needed basis to provide time sensitive project updates to members.

One-on-one meetings can be requested to allow for members to ask any questions or provide feedback, in person or virtual.

If you have questions about these projects, or concerns about how it may impact you or your family, please reach out to Whitney.

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SNEAA Details
  • The SNEAAs were signed in 2015 (Woodfibre LNG) and 2016 (FortisBC EGP) with a total of 25 conditions of approval (12 for Woodfibre LNG, 8 for FortisBC EGP, 4 for Province of BC, 1 for Woodfibre LNG, FortisBC EGP and the Province of BC). Rights and Title oversee these conditions and have compiled the following status updates to be keep membership informed.
    • Click here to view the conditions and their current status
  • Key input the Nation used during the SNEAA process (2013-2015):
    • 11 Community workshops & meetings in North Vancouver and Squamish
    • Direct dialogue with members: emails, phone calls, lunches, etc.
    • Site visits to meet with other Indigenous groups with natural gas pipeline and LNG projects in their territory
    • Independent Research and technical support from environmental consultants
    • Xay Temixw (2001) & 2007 Land Use Agreement
    • Traditional Use and Occupancy Study (2015)
    • Submissions from non-government organizations, stewardship groups, and other stakeholders
    • Review of project information from each proponent
    • Input from legal counsel
    • Input from Council Partial participation in provincial-federal EA process
FortisBC Project Details
  • FortisBC is constructing a buried pipeline to deliver natural gas (not to be confused with crude oil or bitumen) from existing infrastructure in Coquitlam to the terminal site at the historic village of Swiy̓át (Woodfibre LNG).

  • To protect the Squamish River and surrounding Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw required FortisBC to construct a tunnel underground from the Town of Squamish to the Woodfibre LNG site.

  • Another major project change from the SNEAA was relocating the compressor station from Mt. Mulligan in the town of Squamish to Swiy̓át to avoid risks/concerns to local residents, especially Yekwaupsum 18 residents.
  • The new pipeline will “twin” an existing FortisBC natural gas pipeline (built in early 1990’s) that extends from Coquitlam to Vancouver Island – this is the only source of natural gas to Vancouver Island. To minimize environmental concerns, atleast 50% of the EGP project will be within an existing right of way (that includes roads, industrial rights-of-way, electrical transmission rights-of-way, and existing FortisBC pipeline).
  • The pipeline in the Squamish area beginning at Hixon Peak will be 24″ diameter and 47km long with 9km of that being a tunnel.

  • Construction started in August 2023 and and FortisBC anticipates completion in 2026, with restoration activities continuing into 2027.
  • Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw has Indigenous Monitors on site throughout construction to be the eyes and ears for the Nation and make sure the commitments in the SNEAA are being met.
  • If you’re interested to read any of the FortisBC EGP Environmental Management Plans for this project, you can find them here.
Woodfibre LNG Project Details
  • Woodfibre LNG is constructing a liquid natural gas plant at the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw village site of Swiy̓át. For over a century, this site was used as the Woodfibre pulp and paper mill site.

  • Natural gas (transported from the FortisBC Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline) will be super-cooled to liquid form and shipped via marine carriers to overseas markets. A total of 2-3 LNG carriers are expected per month.

  • A major project change as a result of the SNEAA was to switch from seawater cooling to air cooling to minimize marine impacts.
  • Construction started in November 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in approximately 2027.
  • Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw has Indigenous Monitors on site throughout construction to be the eyes and ears for the Nation and make sure the commitments in the SNEAA are being met.
  • If you’re interested to read any of the Environmental Management Plans for this project, you can find them here.

Floatel

To address community concerns, Woodfibre LNG proposed mooring a cruise ship, known as a floatel, at the site to house up to 652 workers at peak construction and minimize interaction with the Squamish community. Non-local workers would be ferried from Vancouver directly to the floatel to further avoid impacts in the community. By December 2023, the floatel proposal was approved by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, BC Environmental Assessment Office, and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw worked closely with the Environmental Assessment Office (as part of a Memorandum of Understanding) to review details for the proposed floatel and to ensure conditions of approval were adequately addressed. Some of these conditions rest with EAO while others are under Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw jurisdiction as legally binding amendments to the SNEAA. Click here to learn more about EAO conditions. Click here to learn more about Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw conditions.

Major Project Updates

Nation Updates

Our Voices in FIFA World Cup 26™

Next year, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations will welcome FIFA World Cup 26™ to the City of Vancouver. Music has always been an important part of FIFA World Cup™, and for the first time in World Cup history, each of the 16 host cities has partnered with a local music producer to remix the tournament’s theme and infuse it with the cultural essence of their location.

Notice of Referendum

The Squamish Electoral Commission has issued notice of a referendum taking place on May 31, 2025. The referendum will consider amendments to the Election and Referendum Law.

Squamish Nation receives $9.5 Million in housing funding

Today, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) proudly announces we are receiving close to $9.5 million dollars ($9,454,000) from the Federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).
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