Media Releases

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.

The High Seas Treaty has reached the milestone of 60 state ratifications needed to trigger its entry into force.

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.

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.

Canada’s leading environmental organizations have today released responses from federal parties on their environmental and climate plans. This initiative aims to provide voters with insights into how parties will tackle issues like fossil fuel pollution, biodiversity loss, Indigenous-led conservation and a clean electricity grid, if elected.

The Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities has passed a resolution calling on the Province to legislate the BC Coastal Marine Strategy. This resolution was championed by the District of Saanich and the City of Langford.

The District of Saanich and City of Langford Councils voted unanimously in favour of BC municipalities pushing the BC government to enshrine its recently-released Coastal Marine Strategy into law.

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.

Unceded, traditional, and ancestral Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories / Vancouver, BC – BC is joining other coastal regions in North America with the release of its first and much-needed

Legal analysis highlights current shortcomings and recommendations for strengthening national policy

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories/VANCOUVER

Today, lawyers at West Coast Environmental Law are celebrating Canada’s signing of the High Seas Treaty on the one-year anniversary of the agreement.

Mandatory measures are welcome, but more action needed to close loopholes and address scrubber washwater

Lower Fraser Floodplains Forum brings together decision-makers and experts to chart a path forward for flood resilience

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories/VANCOUVER

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories/VANCOUVER

Court dismisses defamation lawsuit against Qualicum Beach residents

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories/VANCOUVER

Lawyers at West Coast Environmental Law Association welcome commitments for environmental and climate action in today’s federal Speech from the Throne, and say Canadians will be looking to the federal government for tangible steps to deliver on these and other key promises in the coming months.

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

Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories / Vancouver, BC - 

VANCOUVER, BC, Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh Territories – West Coast Environmental Law applauds today’s decision by the Supreme Court upholding Canada’s price on carbon pollution, which confirmed the responsibility of all levels of government to take action to address the climate crisi

Urgent need for national strategy and law to address environmental racism

VANCOUVER, BC, Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh Territories – West Coast Environmental Law is deeply disappointed by today’s decision by the BC government to continue construction on the Site C dam.

Canada has some of the weakest protections against cruise ship pollution along North American West Coast, says new report 

Environmental lawyers look for government to deliver on commitments to aggressive climate vision and plan