Media Releases

Two provincial bills aimed at reducing barriers to development, Bills 14 and 15, were narrowly passed by the BC Legislature last night. According to lawyers at West Coast Environmental Law, both laws promise to rush approval of certain types of projects, and in the case of Bill 15 could actually result in environmental, labour and community safety requirements being amended to allow a specific project to go ahead.

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.

The election results are in, and Canadians have elected the Liberal Party to form government. Climate Action Network Canada (CAN-Rac) congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney, and urges him to use this opportunity to build a fairer, more resilient society grounded in reliable, renewable Canadian solutions.

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.

Environmental lawyers say exempting projects from assessment & ramming through permits is a recipe for delay, conflict and uncertainty.

Lawyers with West Coast Environmental Law are responding to today's announcement that federal charges have been laid against Imperial Metals and Mount Polley Mine Corp., more than a decade after the devastating 2014 tailings dam failure at the Mount Polley Mine.

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.

Environmental and constitutional law experts at West Coast Environmental Law Association are decrying a second constitutional challenge to the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA) launched by the Government of Alberta.

The biodiversity crisis demands immediate action, environmental advocates say

Legal analysis highlights current shortcomings and recommendations for strengthening national policy

Canada urgently needs a national strategy and accountability mechanisms to assess, prevent and address environmental racism and advance environmental justice, as proposed by Bill C-226. We call on the Senate to prioritize and expedite the final vote on Bill C-226 as soon as possible. Canada must confront the impacts of environmental racism and advance environmental justice.

Environmental and public interest groups are expressing frustration over proposed amendments to the Impact Assessment Act introduced in the Budget Implementation Act.

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.

Lawyers highlight need for urgency & increased ambition in forthcoming regulations

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

Environmental groups call on the BC government to deliver on its long-delayed promise to establish a public participation funding program for environmental assessments

Biodiversity & ecosystem health to be legally established as ‘overarching priorities’ for all sectors 

OTTAWA | TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHNAABEG PEOPLE – With six weeks to go until the UN Climate Change Conference COP28, a coalition of leaders of

“This is not the win Alberta was hoping for,” say environmental lawyers

Decision expected this Friday in Supreme Court of Canada reference case

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

Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa — Alberta’s superior court today dismissed attempts by former Premier Jason Kenney and the Alberta government to throw out a defamation lawsuit brought forward by five environmental groups.

Unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe Territories [Ottawa, ON] – This week, the federal government is defending its Impact Assessment Act (IAA) (formerly Bill C-69) at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Federal biodiversity accountability law a “must” for addressing the nature crisis, environmental lawyers say

Amidst global climate and nature summits, the Green Budget Coalition detailed the federal investments needed to accelerate climate action and reverse biodiversity loss.

West Coast Environmental Law applauds local government officials at the 2022 Union of BC Municipalities Convention who passed two resolutions this morning in support of a provincial law to prioritize biodiversity and ecosystem health.