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BOAT LAUNCH DAMAGE
The sole Squamish boat launch is looking even worse for wear these days
PAGE 16
TROUBLE IN THE VALLEY
Local braces for influx of people this summer
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
S Q U A M I S H C H I E F. C O M
DISTRICT RELEASES TAX RATE FOR WOODFIBRE LNG
WLNG says discussions for a long-term tax agreement are still ongoing with the District ANDREW HUGHES
ahughes@squamishchief.com
T
PHOTO BY DARRYL SCHWANKE
AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW: Sunday showers made for spectacular rainbows in Squamish.
he District of Squamish announced it intends to charge a 12.5% tax on Woodfibre LNG (WLNG) when BC Assessment officially classifies it as a major industry. Yet, WLNG says there are still upcoming discussions on a long-term tax agreement. At the April 16 regular business meeting, Squamish council revealed that it intends to charge WLNG a tax rate of $125 per $1,000 assessed value when BC Assessment classifies the plant to Class 4—major industry. “It’s important for our community to note within this report our ongoing efforts to try and sit at the table with Woodfibre LNG to come to a 10-year tax agreement or a negotiated settlement there and that has not occurred to date,” said Coun. Jenna Stoner at the meeting. “This is kind of the opportunity that we have to ensure that that project, when it does get reclassified to major industry, is paying its fair share of our tax burden.” The District report alongside the meeting says the B.C. average tax rate for major industry is about $29 per $1,000 assessed value, or a 2.9% tax. The proposed District rate for WLNG is over four TAX: Continued on 5
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