Media Release, Alberni Environmental Coalition, November 3, 2011

For Immediate Distribution

For the past six months community volunteers have worked with the Alberni Environmental Coalition (AEC) to conduct a survey of Port Alberni residents to establish the level of support for the development of Port Alberni as a coal port. This survey was done under the direction of Dr. Joan Kuyek, socio-economic researcher contracted by the AEC through Participatory Funding from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. The survey is part of a larger socio-economic analysis of the Raven Coal proposal to establish a coal terminal in Port Alberni. This representative survey shows that Port Alberni residents are overwhelmingly against the establishing a coal port in the community. 75% of adults surveyed are against the coal port, 11.9 % support the project and 12.8% are undecided. High school students and business owners were also surveyed separately with similar results.

The main survey had 579 people participate though door-to-door surveys and booths set up at the Fall Fair and the high school fun fair. The majority of those who oppose the survey cited environmental concerns as their top concern (over 50%). The top reasons for opposing the proposed coal port are 1) environmental concerns, 2) does not paint a positive economic future for PA (loss of tourism, not enough jobs, loss of jobs, against the vision for community, decrease in real-estate value), 3) air quality concerns, 4) health and 5) concerns around the transportation route through Port Alberni. Although air quality would seem to be related to health or environment it stands alone as the third most sited reason. This shows a community awareness of the unique air quality issues in the Alberni Valley.

Of the 11.9% that expressed support for the project all but two cited job creation as their top reason. Raven Coal has stated that there would be approximately 20 direct jobs created in Port Alberni. The majority of those who were undecided did not feel like they had enough information about the project to make an informed decision.

This survey was conducted with a goal of having the best representative survey possible with participants from all over the city. Although survey respondents will remain anonymous, each respondent signed their survey and included their address to ensure the validity of the process. Please see the attached map showing the distribution of respondents from the main survey.

In addition to the main survey a business survey and a youth survey were also conducted. The business survey covered both North and South Port and targeted 52 locally owned businesses ranging from medical/ professional fields to restaurants and service-oriented businesses. The business survey results showed that 70.1% were against the project, 15.4% support the project and 15.4% were undecided. Two-thirds cited environmental concerns as the main reason for being opposed. The second most cited reasons focused on concerns around adverse economic impacts such as, limiting economic growth and diversification, decline in tourism, burden on infrastructure and a basic lack of benefit to the community.

Students at ADSS took it upon themselves to conduct the same survey at the high school with similar results. A total of 192 Students were surveyed with 71% opposed to the project, 10% in support of the project and 19% undecided. The AEC believes it is important to hear the voice of our youth. It is their right under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to be involved in decision-making that affects their future.

The results of this survey will be included in an overall socio-economic study around the proposed Raven Coal Project conducted by Dr. Joan Kuyek. This study will be submitted to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the Provincial Environmental Assessment Office. It will also be made available tot the public.

For more information or to arrange an interview contact Norine Messer, AEC Participant Coordinator at (250) 735-4111, or norinemesser@hotmail.com.

Click here to download the media release

Click here to download the survey distribution map