Anti-coal campaigners opposed to a new coal-handling terminal in Surrey have turned to Powell River in their search for allies.
The proposed Fraser Surrey Docks terminal would take coal by rail and then send it by barge to Texada Island, just a few kilometres offshore of Powell River on the Sunshine Coast.
Up to eight million tonnes of coal a year could be barged there and stockpiled for transfer to ocean-going ships.
Activist Paula Williams said the potential 20-fold increase from the existing coal shipments out of Texada could bring "serious health implications" for Powell River residents and potential marine environment damage.
Port Metro Vancouver has not yet ruled on whether the new terminal can be built, but it has been opposed by Metro Vancouver, several local cities and faces demands from medical health officers for a health impact assessment.