A violation of biodiversity and treaty rights

If it proceeds, the Malahat highway expansion project will have devastating impacts on salmon habitat and the surrounding forests. It will cut down over 700 trees, many more than 250 years old, from the west bank of the Goldstream River, removing natural shade cover and increasing water temperatures. The latest environmental assessment, commissioned by the province, identified the risk of permanent loss of salmon habitat due to this project. These salmon are an important food source for the endangered southern resident orcas and play a key role in bringing nutrients from the ocean into the forest ecosystem. 

The W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, including Tsartlip First Nation, have been harvesting salmon here and stewarding these lands since time immemorial. Under the Douglas Treaties, they retain the right to hunt and fish. Deliberately destroying salmon habitat violates these rights and threatens the cultural and ecological integrity of their territory.

Proposed Malahat Highway Project through Goldstream Provincial Park 

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So why is the government so insistent?

Over a decade ago, the B.C. government announced plans for safety upgrades to the Malahat highway. While some of this work has already happened, the section of highway that runs right next to the Goldstream River and through Goldstream Provincial Park has yet to begin. 

This massive project, which threatens widespread destruction, offers no real upgrade to the highway since it doesn’t actually add more lanes. Instead, it will slightly widen existing single lanes, replace traffic pylons with a concrete barrier and create a hanging walkway over the river next to the highway. These upgrades come at a significant environmental cost. There are other effective and innovative ways to improve safety. Rather than spending $162 million on this project, funds could be invested in public transit infrastructure, reducing traffic and improving safety. Other less costly and less damaging solutions include lowering the speed limit and clamping down on distracted drivers using cell phones.

You can help!

Since early 2023, Tsartlip Elder Carl Olsen has been protesting the Malahat highway expansion every Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Goldstream. To support him, a grassroots group of activists has coalesced as the Goldstream Protectors. You can show your solidarity by joining Elder Carl and the Goldstream Protectors at the Goldstream day-use area at 9:45 a.m. on any Tuesday. The Goldstream Protectors have even made signs to use! We ask that if you attend, you respectfully follow Elder Carl and the Goldstream Protectors’ lead, acting with kindness toward others and caring for the land and ecosystem.