Village of Burns Lake councillors decided that while a referendum regarding the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline may not be beneficial, a survey may capture local opinions on the proposed project.
The suggestion for a referendum was made earlier this month by local resident Helene Brunette, during council’s committee of the whole meeting, held to discuss the pipeline project.
Brunette asked council if they had considered holding a referendum to ask locals if they are in favour of the proposed pipeline.
During the meeting, councillors requested village staff investigate the cost of holding a referendum and the information was provided to councillors during their meeting last week.
According to village chief administrative officer Sheryl Worthing, section 83 of the Community Charter does allow council to seek a non binding community opinion on an issue that council believes will affect the municipality. “The issue does not need to be within council’s jurisdiction,” Worthing said.
She said the cost of holding a referendum is the same as an election or by-election at approximately $5,000 and takes approximately six months of staff time to prepare.
The earliest a referendum could be held is mid April 2012 and the results would not be legally binding.
According to the report prepared by Worthing, typically 30 per cent of registered voters show up for a municipal election. “A referendum of this nature would likely have less than 10 per cent voter turn out due to the fact that the result is not legally binding,” she said.
Worthing also suggested that it would be advisable to use a polling firm to conduct the referendum if council chose to proceed.
She said using a polling firm would result in higher voter engagement, a more accurate reflection of citizens feelings and uses significantly less staff time.
Other suggestions provided to council were an opinion poll in the form of a survey, which would cost approximately $2,000, an opinion poll phone survey costing $2,000, council could partner with the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako (RDBN) on a community wide mail out survey sharing the $2,000 cost, or council could work with other community organizations to host additional information sessions to inform the community about the proposed pipeline project.
“Council will need to determine if tax dollars should be concentrated on this issue,” Worthing said.
Mayor Bernice Magee said she liked the idea of partnering with the RDBN and sharing the costs.
She said she also liked the idea of holding additional information sessions for the public.
“I think these options will be more beneficial,” she said.
Councillor John Illes agreed with mayor Magee, but said he had some concerns about mail out voting.
“What can we do to prevent people from getting a bunch of surveys and voting?” he asked.
Worthing replied, “Nothing really.”
“Where there is a will there is a way,” added mayor Magee.
Councillor Luke Strimbold said he also liked the same ideas, but said further information sessions should be held prior to any survey being conducted.
“I agree with Coun. Strimbold,” said Coun. Quentin Beach.
“I like the idea of a discussion and I would still like to see council make a decision on the matter,” he said, adding that he doesn’t think council needs to spend tax payers money on a referendum or surveys.
“I think we should see if the RDBN is willing to partner then look at our options for a joint mail out survey on the Northern Gateway Pipeline,” Coun. Illes said.
Mayor Magee said she has also written a letter to the University of Northern B.C. to see if they would be interested in conducting a pipeline information session in Burns Lake.
She said she is yet to receive a response.
Council made a motion to request RDBN’s assistance with a mail out survey and to discuss further details at a later date.
The motion was unanimously supported.