Tsawwassen First Nation votes down controversial LNG facility

The Tsawwassen First Nation has rejected plans to build an LNG export facility just north of the B.C. Ferriesterminal.

In a vote on Wednesday night,53 per centsaid'no' to allowing the 32-hectare project on the nation's traditionalland.

"What would you rather have, more money or a better environment?" askedTsawwassenFirst Nation member Nick Gurniak."No need to do more damage to the environment than has already been done."

• B.C. LNG project in Tsawwassen to be voted on by First Nation

The proposed LNG facilityhas been a contentious issue for the 430band members,139 ofwhichcast a ballot.

It was expected to produce between three million and five million metric tonnes of LNG per year, and would have resulted in four to five LNG tankers travelling from the facility per month.

The proposed Tsawwassen facility would have consisted of storage tanks, liquefaction units, and a power substation. A pipeline to the marine terminal at nearby Robert Banks would also have to be built.

The project promised1,000 jobs during the construction phase,and 50 to 100 permanent, well-paying jobs during operations, according to proponents.