No Northern Gateway, no thanks.
This seems to be the results of a general poll undertaken to get a sense of the community's opinion on the proposed Northern Gateway Project.
The poll, which the district undertook after a request from local citizens at a council meeting in May for mayor and council to take a stand in opposition to the proposed pipeline.
Eighty-eight per cent of the 117 surveyed from the District of Fort St. James did not believe the project will produce any economic benefit for Fort St. James, over 93 per cent said they did not believe they or their business would benefit from the project, and over 90 per cent also believed the project could have negative environmental impacts for both Fort St. James, the region and British Columbia.
Eighty-eight per cent of those surveyed also said the mayor and council should take a stand on the project, with 87 per cent saying their position should be opposed.
Those from the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (62 polled) produced very similar results, with a slightly lower percentage believing the project will have no positive economic benefit for Fort St. James (79 per cent).
While only 19 people responded to the poll who identified themselves as being from other nearby communities, including Nak'azdli, and Yekooche, the entire group said they did not believe the Northern Gateway Project would have any positive economic benefit for Fort St. James or themselves, and one hundred per cent also agreed the project could have a negative environmental impact for Fort St. James, the region and the province. This group also was unanimous in saying the mayor and council should take a stand in opposition to the project.
Community members were polled online and at an open house on July 11 from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.. The survey was available for completion between July 2-13 both online and through the district at the open house and the Farmer's Market on July 13..
There were a total of 198 responses collected from the general community.
The full results of a District of Fort St. James poll on public opinion of the proposed Northern Gateway can be found attached to the agenda of the special meeting scheduled for tonight, July 31, 2012 at 6 p.m. in council chambers at the district office.
Click here to see the agenda, then go to item 4.1 under New Business and click on the Public Opinion Survey Report.