Environmental Law Alert Blog

Through our Environmental Law Alert blog, West Coast keeps you up to date on the latest developments and issues in environmental law. This includes:

  • proposed changes to the law that will weaken, or strengthen, environmental protection;
  • stories and situations where existing environmental laws are failing to protect the environment; and
  • emerging legal strategies that could be used to protect our environment.

If you have an environmental story that we should hear about, please e-mail Andrew Gage. We welcome your comments on any of the posts to this blog – but please keep in mind our policies on comments.

2020 Canadian Law Blog Awards Winner

If the federal emissions cap deserves any criticism, it is that it is not enough. Despite the urgency of climate change and the lack of adequate action by provincial governments or the oil and gas sector, the federal government has bent over backward to accommodate provincial and industry interests.

In 2024, West Coast Environmental Law is celebrating our 50th anniversary – marking five action-packed decades of legal research, advocacy and action in service of nature and communities. 

British Columbians are heading to the polls on October 19th, and BC Election 2024 campaigns are in full swing. Not sure what to say when your candidates come knocking? Our lawyers have put together a list of five questions for BC election candidates about a few key priorities for nature and communities.

As we head into election season in BC, brace yourself for a lot of talk about managing taxpayer dollars and balancing budgets. But let’s make sure that politicians can’t duck a pressing financial question that’s only getting worse: how are we going to pay for the rising costs of climate change? 

How can we stop stormwater from harming fish? We look at some of the ways that governments and communities can start filling regulatory gaps and implementing creative solutions for stormwater planning to reduce harm now.

Urban pollution is killing salmon and hurting local waters. Who is responsible? We explore sewage and stormwater in urban settings; how polluted stormwater affects urban creeks and fish; and how stormwater still exists in a regulatory no-man’s land.

The Sue Big Oil campaign is a collaboration of British Columbians concerned about the harmful impacts of climate change on BC communities and the skyrocketing costs for local governments and taxpayers. As the campaign enters its third year this summer, we asked Staff Lawyer Andrew Gage about the progress and potential of this key campaign.

Throughout West Coast’s history, we’ve been committed to transforming the legal landscape in ways that are more sustainable, more democratic and more just. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re reflecting on five key moments that have made the organization into what it is today.

A once in a decade opportunity: Have your say about how Metro Vancouver and its member communities manage wastewater and stormwater.

As the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX) commences operations, we reflect on key questions that remain after more than 10 years fighting for climate action, land and water protection, and Indigenous self-determination.