We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make sure that our waters and coast are protected from oil spills – not just from Kinder Morgan’s pipeline and tankers, but from any source for the future – through the modernization of our oil spill regulations in BC.
Take Action
Wondering how you can get more involved in efforts to safeguard nature, communities and the climate through law?
Check out this page for information and opportunities to take action by attending events, contacting decision-makers, participating in government processes and more.
Has the north coast oil tanker ban stalled in Parliament? Some recent signs point to yes, so West Coast Environmental Law Association is supporting a Parliamentary petition initiated by Marilyn Slett, president of Coastal First Nations and elected Chief of the Heiltsuk Nation, urging the federal government to finally keep its promise and enact the oil tanker ban.
Bio-waste spread on farmland threatens to contaminate local wells. Pesticide spraying by a logging company is destroying bird habitat. Odours and rodents from a composting facility disturb a rural neighbourhood. Logging on steep slopes threatens a community’s drinking water. A developer is given the go-ahead to build on a floodplain that provides habitat for salmon.
What do these scenarios have in common? (Other than the fact that they are real-life issues that we have helped British Columbians with in recent years.)
When Randy Saugstad realized that clearcut logging by forestry giant Tolko was probably going to affect the water he uses to raise cattle on his ranch, he went to the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. “We know,” they told him. “But we don’t have the power to stop them logging.”
In June 2016, the federal government announced a major review of Canada’s environmental laws and processes – including environmental assessment (EA), the Fisheries Act, Navigation Protection Act and the National Energy Board. It's critical that we make the most of this opportunity, and we need some help from you.
This June – 18 months after Prime Minister Trudeau issued mandates to six Cabinet Ministers to fix four of Canada’s environmental laws, and after two Parliamentary Committee and two expert panel reviews – the federal government released its Environmental and Regulatory Reviews Discussion Paper.
In the global economy, each region looks for its competitive advantage. Why should businesses locate in BC, instead of (for example) Argentina? What industries will do well in BC, giving us jobs?
BC has long viewed its cheap and abundant resources as being its competitive advantage. But the incoming NDP/Green government has pledged to take a new look at the “emerging economy” through a new task force, as well as an “Innovation Commission.”
Looking for local climate action that can send a global message? Join us in forcing fossil fuel companies to confront the harm caused by their products.
Each of our communities is suffering from climate change, and facing a rising tide of increasing costs. Climate Law in our Hands is looking for people who will confront that reality and then demand accountability from the fossil fuel industry.
MiningWatch needs your help to ensure accountability for the Mount Polley tailings pond disaster.