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What happens now that council rejected the Woodfibre LNG tax deal?

Woodfibre LNG is the District's biggest taxpayer. In 2025 council set a very high major industry tax rate, and the company went to court over its 2025 and 2026 taxes and filed a damages lawsuit. A 10-year deal that would have paid at least $142 million and ended the lawsuits was rejected 5 to 2 on September 22, 2026, so normal taxation continues and the court cases go ahead.

Explained: How much does Squamish depend on Woodfibre LNG's taxes?

Where it stands step 3 of 5

  1. Agreement in principle negotiated August 25, 2026
    The District asked the public for comments on the 10-year deal. [source]
  2. Council votes on the deal September 22, 2026
    Council rejected it 5 to 2. [source]
  3. Court cases continue
    With no deal, the District says it will defend the lawsuits over 2025 and 2026 taxes. [source]
  4. 2027 tax rate set for major industry
    Council sets tax rates each spring; the 2026 rate bylaw was adopted May 5, 2026. [source]
  5. Any new agreement
    A future council could negotiate another deal, but Woodfibre calls the rejected one its final offer. [source]

What happens next: The new council sets the 2027 major industry tax rate next spring and decides whether to reopen talks with Woodfibre, while the lawsuits move through the courts.

How this council has voted on it

The new council hasn’t voted on this yet. Every vote on it will appear here.

What each of them said during the campaign

“The District should sign the proposed 10-year tax agreement with Woodfibre LNG.”

Earlier history (before this council)
  • October 10, 2026: Woodfibre's CEO said the rejected deal was the company's fair and final offer. [source]
  • September 22, 2026: Council declined the 10-year deal (fixed payments plus a capped tax bill) that would have ended the lawsuits. (Councillors Andersen and French opposed (they supported the deal)) [source]
  • May 5, 2026: Council adopted the 2026 tax rate bylaw. The District says Woodfibre paid $7.7 million in 2026 while still under construction. [source]
  • November 14, 2025: Woodfibre filed a civil lawsuit against the District, the Mayor and councillors seeking damages for alleged misuse of municipal powers. [source]
  • June 6, 2025: Woodfibre asked the B.C. Supreme Court to quash the 2025 tax rate bylaw. [source]
  • May 6, 2025: Council adopted the 2025 tax rate bylaw, setting the major industry rate at $125 per $1,000 of assessed value. [source]

Have your say

The swearing in meeting is ceremonial. There is no question period and no letters on the agenda. To raise something with the new council, write to council@squamish.ca after November 3. Letters sent before then go to the outgoing council.

Watch. Live and afterward on the District’s YouTube channel.