MPs Weston, Saxton ‘disappointed’ by billboard decision

We do not like the prospect of billboards in our community, so we are disappointed with Thursday’s decision by the Squamish Nation Council to approve the installation of digital billboards on the North Shore.

As we stated publicly over the past two years, we believe that these billboards represent a missed opportunity by the Squamish First Nation, to pursue broader economic development opportunities that are more consistent with North Shore residents’ vision for the community.

The Squamish proposal underwent a rigorous federal review process, which included consideration of construction codes and standards, and the completion of an environmental impact assessment. There was nothing raised in the assessment that would grant the federal government the authority to prevent the Squamish First Nation from proceeding with this project.

While we understand the need for aboriginal economic development, we wish that the Squamish First Nation had chosen an alternative opportunity. We have discussed these concerns directly with Gibby Jacob, Chief of the Squamish First Nation.

The Squamish Nation Council is the only body with the authority to reverse this decision. We hope they will reconsider.

Andrew Saxton

Member of Parliament, North Vancouver

John Weston

Member of Parliament, West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country

Billboard safety review needed before signs go up

The Squamish Nation has announced its intention to install a series of electronic billboards, several of which will be located on the North Shore. They’ve indicated that we should be pleased with the scaled back version of their plan, particularly as they’ve also offered free community type messaging. Don’t be fooled. These are common tactics used by the billboard industry to establish new footprints throughout North America.

It’s important to distinguish these new LED type electronic billboards from the traditional static plywood billboards.

The luminosity and the viewing angles of a modern digital billboard offer unprecedented clarity and focus on a scale limited only by the size of the screen. And make no mistake these new billboards will be big. The increased scale and the digital technology are meant for only one thing – your attention. And here’s the thing. They want your attention while you’re performing the task of driving.

Increased driver distraction causes car accidents and contrary to the evidence presented by the Squamish Nation in its Environmental Review, the scientific and empirical evidence today is unassailable. There is a direct causal relationship between electronic digital billboards and traffic safety.

If the BC Solicitor General feels that driver inattention is important enough to ban cell phones then the same principle should hold true for the placement of digital billboards along our roads and highways.

In view of these concerns and on behalf of the almost 10,000 signatories to our petition we’d respectfully ask our Squamish neighbours to at least delay the installation of the most contentious signs while additional advice is reviewed regarding the impact of certain signs on traffic safety.

Wayne Hunter, chair

Citizens for Responsible Outdoor Advertising

Billboard plan a ‘tragic’ decision

There has been little that has affected me as much as the plan to install billboards on the North Shore. I feel sick that this plan is going ahead. It is tragic that the Squamish band feel so disconnected with the rest of the people on the North Shore. I hope they enjoy their money because they have lost a lot of friends.

Lorraine Burnside, North Vancouver