Shayne Morrow, Alberni Valley Times, November 07, 2011

The Alberni Environmental Coalition has released the results of its detailed survey to establish the level of public support for the development of Port Alberni as a coal port.

In April, the AEC launched the first phase of the information-gathering campaign, which involved canvassers going door-to-door, according to participant co-ordinator Norine Messer.

"We basically did three surveys," Messer explained, "We surveyed adult residents, the business community and students."

Following the door-to-door campaign, the AEC set up a survey at the Port Alberni and District Labour Council booth at the Fall Fair, followed by another at the Alberni District Secondary School Family Fun Fair.

The survey asked: 1. Do you know about the project? 2. Do you support the construction of a coal storage and loading dock near Harbour Quay? 3. What is your strongest reason for saying yes/no?

"We coached our people going door-to-door not to express any opinion of their own," Messer said. "Most people were quite receptive to it and were willing to give their opinion. Some spoke passionately, but they weren't angry."

In total, the AEC received responses from 579 adult residents, 52 locally-owned businesses and 192 students, and the responses were surprisingly consistent.

Seventy-five per cent of the adults oppose the coal port proposal, while 11.9% expressed support and 12.8% were undecided.

Opponents expressed environmental concerns and fears that a coal port would run counter to plans to diversify the economy and expand tourism.

Those in favour cited job creation as the main reason, while opponents felt there would be a net job loss as mobile people and businesses left the community for greener pastures.

The businesses surveyed included professional offices and service-oriented companies and restaurants. At 70.1%, opposition to the port was a little lower, with 15.4% in support and 15.4% undecided. Again, environmental concerns predominated among the opponents, along with similar fears about coal's impact on the livability of the city.

In their own poll at ADSS, students expressed their opposition in nearly identical numbers as the business community, at 71%. Their support for the project was closer to the adults surveyed in the door-to-door campaign, at 10%, with a higher number, 19%, undecided.

Messer said the survey, which was conducted under the supervision of socioeconomic researcher, Dr. Joan Kuyek, can be considered the public opinion of record for the City of Port Alberni. The AEC received funding from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to conduct this survey.

"We have also hired a marine biologist and an air quality consultant for further study," Messer said.

SMorrow@avtimes.net

© Alberni Valley Times 2011

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