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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

Court dismisses defamation lawsuit against Qualicum Beach residents

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

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), 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

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.

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

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:

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.

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.

“The federal government investigating itself is clearly not an option,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC

How we’re responding to global efforts to #FlattenTheCurve

These are exceptional times. There is a lot going on in the world and it seems like the news is changing almost by the minute.

VANCOUVER, BC, Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh Territories – Lawyers at West Coast Environmental Law are calling on the BC Liberal Caucus to correct misinformation aimed at undermining environmental organizations and lawful resistance to the Coastal GasLink pipeline in Wet’suwet’en territ

Narrow Federal Court of Appeal decision is a blow for reconciliation and sustainability, lawyers say  

West Coast Environmental Law event marks 30 years of environmental legal aid in BC