District seeks public comments on 10-Year Agreement in Principle with Woodfibre LNG

 

Information on the proposed financial arrangement is available for public review prior to Council vote

An agreement in principle for a ten-year financial arrangement for community contributions by Woodfibre LNG (WLNG) has been negotiated between the District of Squamish (District) and WLNG. Council will vote to approve or not approve the agreement by early October to allow it to be effective in the 2027 tax year. Council is seeking public comments on the proposed arrangement prior to a decision being made. Details, FAQs and a webform to submit comments are available at squamish.ca/WLNG-agreement.

The proposed arrangement involves: a Community Enhancement Payment Agreement (CEPA) and a bylaw to implement a Revitalization Tax Exemption (RTE) program. It is expected that Council will consider giving the proposed RTE bylaw readings on September 22 during a Special Business Meeting.

“This is a significant decision for our community that represents a 10-year financial agreement with Squamish’s biggest industrial taxpayer,” says District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford. “Materials have been prepared to support the community’s understanding of this proposed arrangement. We encourage residents to review the materials and submit written comments or questions to inform Council’s decision.”

If the arrangement is approved by Council, the community will receive at least $142 million over 10 years from WLNG, providing pre-committed revenue. 

If the arrangement is not approved by Council, the District will continue to rely on property taxation. Tax revenue received would be based on the annual BC Assessment valuation of the WLNG properties, and the tax rate set annually by Council pursuant to its authority under the Community Charter and the Assessment Act.

Frequently asked questions and copies of the proposed CEPA and RTE bylaw can be found online. A webform is included on the page to collect public comments and questions, and the FAQ will be updated with responses to new questions that arise. Find all the details at squamish.ca/WLNG-agreement.

August 25, 2026