Following today’s announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney that the federal government will fast-track six additional “national interest” projects, lawyers at West Coast Environmental Law are expressing disappointment at the government’s continued focus on resource development projects, including fossil fuel production and export.
Media Releases
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Climate and Energy, Indigenous Law
Lawyers at West Coast Environmental Law are expressing disappointment at the Prime Minister’s announcement that the federal government intends to fast-track five major projects. Rather than truly sustainable projects Canadians need, the government's list emphasizes the production and export of non-renewable resources.
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Environmental Assessment, Lands & Forests, Fish & Wildlife, Healthy Waters, Climate and Energy, Green Communities
A coalition of Canada’s leading environmental, nature and climate organizations has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and key Cabinet ministers calling on the federal government to adopt seven clear, transparent criteria for determining which projects are truly in the national interest under the Building Canada Act (Bill C-5).
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Environmental Assessment, Climate and Energy, Tar Sands, Pipelines & Tankers, Climate Solutions, Green Communities, Green Infrastructure
Today, BC and the Gitanyow, Taku River Tlingit, Kaska Dena, Tahltan and Nisga’a peoples announced inclusive planning processes that aim to produce jointly recommended land use plans within one year, that could make a significant contribution to BC’s goal of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030 and safeguard the ecological health of a vast region as the foundation for collective prosperity.
Topics: Indigenous Law
West Coast is excited to recognize 16 inspiring young individuals who have made important contributions to environmental justice in BC, through the Andrew Thompson Award (ATA) Youth Changemakers for Environmental Justice initiative.
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Climate and Energy, Indigenous Law, Marine Protection, Green Communities
West Coast Environmental Law is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Andrew Thompson Award, which recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding lifetime contribution to environmental protection and sustainability through law in BC.
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Climate and Energy, Indigenous Law, Marine Protection, Green Communities, Environmental Legal Support
The Lower Fraser Floodplains Coalition congratulates BC on the release of the BC Flood Strategy. The unique “sharing the pen” approach with eight Nations from major watersheds, including the Lower Fraser, was a good step towards reconciliation in action. While there is a lot to be encouraged by in the language and intentions of the Strategy, the Coalition is left with unanswered questions about dedicated funding and an Implementation Plan.
Topics: Green Communities, Coastal Communities, Green Infrastructure
Lower Fraser Floodplains Forum brings together decision-makers and experts to chart a path forward for flood resilience
Topics: Fish & Wildlife, Healthy Waters, Community Climate Adaptation, Indigenous Law, Green Communities, Coastal Communities, Green Infrastructure
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories/VANCOUVER
Topics: Climate and Energy, Tar Sands, Pipelines & Tankers, Indigenous Law, Indigenous Law
Collaborative process kicks off to establish Central Coast National Marine Conservation Area Reserve
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories/VANCOUVER – West Coast Environmental Law congratulates the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai'xais, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv Nations, Parks Canada and the BC provincial government for collaborating on an important step
Topics: Indigenous Law, Marine Protection, Great Bear Sea, Protected Areas, Indigenous Laws
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories/VANCOUVER – The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and West Coast Environmental Law Association today warned that BC’s recent Heat Dome may have caused an estimated five to s
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Climate and Energy, Community Climate Adaptation, Climate Solutions, Green Communities, Coastal Communities, Green Infrastructure
Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories / Vancouver, BC -
Topics: Indigenous Law
Urgent need for national strategy and law to address environmental racism
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Green Communities, Environmental Legal Support
Environmental lawyers look for government to deliver on commitments to aggressive climate vision and plan
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Climate and Energy, Indigenous Law, Marine Protection, Green Communities
VANCOUVER, BC, Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh Territories – Jessica Clogg, West Coast Environmental Law’s Executive Director and Senior Counsel, made the following statement in response to Premier John Horgan’s announcement of an October 24th election:
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Climate and Energy, Green Communities
VANCOUVER, BC, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Territories – West Coast Environmental Law Association applauds the environment-related commitments made today by the BC government on COVID-19 recovery funding.
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Climate and Energy, Green Communities
Please be advised that effective 1 August 2020, West Coast Environmental Law's office address will be changed.
Telephone and fax numbers remain the same.
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Climate and Energy, Indigenous Law, Marine Protection, Green Communities, Environmental Legal Support, Legal Advice
“The federal government investigating itself is clearly not an option,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC
Topics: Climate and Energy, Tar Sands, Pipelines & Tankers, Indigenous Law
Narrow Federal Court of Appeal decision is a blow for reconciliation and sustainability, lawyers say
Topics: Climate and Energy, Tar Sands, Pipelines & Tankers, Indigenous Law, Indigenous Law
VICTORIA, BC, Lekwungen Territories – West Coast Environmental Law Association is celebrating today’s introduction of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which will bring the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UN Declaration”) into provincial law.
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Indigenous Law, Indigenous Law
Unelected Senate must honour government commitment to a B.C. North Coast oil tanker moratorium, groups say
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Fish & Wildlife, Healthy Waters, Climate and Energy, Tar Sands, Pipelines & Tankers, Marine Protection, Protected Areas, Great Bear Sea, Green Communities, Coastal Communities
VANCOUVER, BC, Coast Salish Territories – The federal government’s “first step” to proceed with the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project fails to address the critical issue of Indigenous consultation, says West Coast Environmental Law.
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Climate and Energy, Tar Sands, Pipelines & Tankers, Indigenous Law, Indigenous Law
Union of BC Municipalities to vote on sending letter to Chevron, Shell, ExxonMobil
Topics: Climate and Energy, Sue Big Oil, Community Climate Adaptation, Green Communities, Coastal Communities
VANCOUVER, BC, Coast Salish Territories – Lawyers at West Coast Environmental Law issued the following statement in response to the
Topics: Indigenous Law, Indigenous Law, Marine Protection, Protected Areas
Trappers’ stories illustrate cumulative impact of industrial activity on lands, waters and wildlife
Topics: Strong Environmental Laws, Lands & Forests, Fish & Wildlife, Healthy Waters, Indigenous Law, Indigenous Law