October 28, 2013 – Surrey council: unanimous opposition to export of US coal out of Fraser Surrey Docks — calls for independent health impact assessment and full public hearings
Vancouver — Just after 10 pm Monday night Surrey City council voted unanimously to Not support the Fraser Surrey Docks proposal, and request of Port Metro Vancouver a comprehensive health impact assessment, conducted by an independent third party, as well as full public hearings on the project.
The motion was passed in response to a community delegation led by Communities and Coal founder Paula Williams. Communities and Coal’s online petition has garnered nearly 11,000 signatures in opposition to the project.
Surrey now joins New Westminster, White Rock, Langley and Vancouver in passing motions either opposing expanded coal exports outright or calling for public hearings and comprehensive, independent review of impacts before a decision is made. The Metro Vancouver Board of Directors voted 21 to 4 to oppose outright the Fraser Surrey Docks project. Numerous MLAs and MPs have also written in opposition to the project. A comprehensive summary of all municipal and regional motions as well as letters from MPs, MLAs and experts against the proposal can be found here.
The Port Authority will soon release results of a study it requested from Fraser Surrey Docks. The requested study, described by the Port as an “Environmental Impact Assessment,” has been rejected by health and environmental impact assessment experts as flawed and inadequate. The Port Authority has given no indication that it intends to cooperate with Fraser Health Authority CMHO Paul Van Buynder in conducting a comprehensive Health Impact Assessment of the project.
Documents obtained by Voters Taking Action on Climate Change through an Access to Information request indicate that there is nothing prohibiting the Port Authority from holding public hearings on this project. However, to date the Port Authority has refused to do so.
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For further information on the Surrey Council vote:
Paula Williams, Communities and Coal founder, 604.723.8556 communitiesandcoal@gmail.com
Further information on the Access to Information requests: Kevin Washbrook 778.848.8278
Director, Voters Taking Action on Climate Change