Burnaby council is adding its voice to the chorus opposing the environmental impact assessment concerning the proposed coal transport increase at Fraser Surrey Docks.
The controversial SNC-Lavalin company was commissioned by Fraser Surrey Docks and Port Metro Vancouver to complete an environmental impact study on the proposed coal transfer project, which would handle up to four million metric tonnes of coal annually.
The company concluded that the project would not cause significant adverse environmental issues. However, two chief medical officers have called the assessment inadequate. Dr. Patricia Daly and Dr. Paul Van Buynder of the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health authorities have both sent letter to Port Metro Vancouver regarding the assessment.
"It was reviewed by two doctors, ... and they're raising a lot of questions," Coun. Sav Dhaliwal said at the Dec. 9 council meeting. "They believe it didn't go far enough with the impact on the local health of the residents in the area."
Fraser Surrey Docks began a 30-day consultation process, ending Dec. 17, after releasing the assessment.
"I think it's a fairly important issue for us, for our citizens," Dhaliwal noted. "We're not far from the facilities. I believe, just in line with other cities, such as Surrey, Delta and other Metro Vancouver cities have raised concerns about this expansion and, I believe, in the absence of having a lot of those questions answered properly, I would think that it would be appropriate for this council to go on the record to oppose any expansion until we are sure this doesn't have long-lasting health impacts."
Dhaliwal said he intends to make a motion at a city council meeting in the new year to outline the city's opinion on the matter.
Mayor Derek Corrigan said a future motion would be appropriate, and that he's been dealing with the same issue on the Metro Vancouver board.
"I'm sure that it just gives everyone just oodles of confidence that SNC-Lavalin did the environmental study," Corrigan said. "But there's a company's whose reputation has suffered significantly, and then to put them in charge of an environmental assessment in our community in which they are asked to stand up for the interests of the public - that's a difficult one to swallow."
Corrigan noted that Port Metro Vancouver is run by the businesses that work at the port, and they appoint the board of directors.
"And then they're given the authority to conduct the environmental assessment for whether or not another business on the port gets to export dirt coal," he said. "Something's wrong with this picture, and I don't know if I can be satisfied that the public interest is protected, and I think for most people out there who are worried about this project, they're not satisfied that Port Metro Vancouver is the right body to be doing an environmental assessment."
The fact that SNC-Lavalin was chosen for the assessment shows "a lack of political wisdom" by the port, Corrigan added.
Recently, New Westminster city council reaffirmed its opposition to the proposed coal facility across its water, and that it will re-inform Port Metro Vancouver and Fraser Surrey Docks just that.
At a recent meeting, council expressed that the environmental impact assessment did not address the city's concerns.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr said he's worried that people would not only have to deal with impacts from coal dust, but also from chemicals in the topping agent applied to minimize fugitive coal dust.
Coun. Jamie McEvoy said the assessment "completely dodges" questions asked by other municipalities and health officers.
-- With files from Theresa McManus
