LETTER – Why is there so little information about refinery project?

My name is Murray Smith, a long time resident of Kamloops and have lived in Westsyde since 1976. I would be interested to know if you are familiar with the proposed SAF refinery to be built on the Reserve. I am sure your answer would be yes, but I would bet that 80% of Kamloops residents are not aware.

It is not a well advertised event even though it is touted to be over a 1 billion dollar project. There is good and bad about this project, mostly bad in my opinion. It will be located .5 km from Westsyde and 6.5 kms from Kamloops City Hall. It will join the pulp mill in polluting our valleys, notably the North Thompson River Valley, of which you and I are a resident. I guess my interest is mostly because we live directly across the river from the proposed site.

Since I learned about this project in December of 2025, I have been to the only open house sponsored by the Band and have contacted the Chronicle, Kamloops Castanet, CFJC TV, KamloopsCBC radio, MLA Ward Stamer, and city councilor Margo Middleton. CBC radio did a very brief mention of the project and Kamloops Castanet has done an excellent job of reporting on it. No other reports were made to my knowledge. Their last report however is May of 2025 in which Tk’emlups Band was having a meeting because of new developments taking place. Only band members were allowed at the meeting and no media.

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I really have two concerns, the refinery itself is very important but also the lack of publicity. It seems that no one wants to talk about it in public. I know that no direct tax dollars will be gained from this, but it seems very odd to me that no municipal, provincial or federal politician has mentioned it. I certainly hope they don’t think this is a racial problem.

As I write this I look over the location where the refinery will be and see a pale haze of blue smoke which is visible from time to time coming from the CNR. I can’t imagine what I would be looking at if a refinery was over there..

I would like you to please do an article on this. Why has Rosanne Casimir or City Hall never made a public announcement?

Thank you

MURRAY SMITH