Trans Mountain is asking for a liquor license for its workcamp east of Merritt.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District board has voted 25-1 to recommend the license be approved by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch. The work camp is located at 3802 Ranchland Road in Upper Nicola, about

Area director Sally Watson was the only board member to say no.

“Although this sounds like an answer to not spreading COVID-19 throughout the land, I would sure hate to see it become a normal thing. Because many of our small towns really rely on mega-projects coming through to make some money. So I hope this is a one-off.”

TMX spokesperson Kate Stebbings responded to that concern.

“The liquor license at the proposed Merritt camp community is for workers who are residing in what is essentially their home. The license is to permit those workers to have up to two drinks within 24 hours in that facility. In no way does it preclude them going into the community and enjoying the different services that are available there,” Stebbings says.

“And this is one very small component of economic activity in the Merritt community. With a large portion of that coming through other opportunities, like work contracting or increasing taxes.”

Trans Mountain also has a similar liquor license for its work camp in Clearwater.