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.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and West Coast Environmental Law Association ask Attorney General Niki Sharma to confirm whether the BC government will work to recover healthcare costs from global and BC fossil fuel companies.

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 proposed new federal oil and gas greenhouse gas pollution cap regulations will use a cap-and-trade system to limit pollution from oil and gas facilities and ensure the sector does its fair share to help meet Canada’s climate goals.

Lawyers with the West Coast Environmental Law Association expressed shock yesterday after an announcement suggesting that the BC NDP would end its consumer carbon price if the federal government drops its requirement for the law.

The letter was sent in the aftermath of the Jasper Wildfire Complex, which destroyed approximately 30 percent of the community as well as parts of Jasper National Park, and as communities across North America experience an uptick in fossil-fueled climate disasters like fires, smoke, floods, and deadly heat.

The biodiversity crisis demands immediate action, environmental advocates say

Legal analysis highlights current shortcomings and recommendations for strengthening national policy

Port Moody, BC – Port Moody City Council released a public statement yesterday announcing its commitment to work with other BC local governments to

Burnaby, BC / Unceded Coast Salish Territories – Yesterday evening, Burnaby City Council voted 8-1 to support a class action lawsuit brought by BC local governments against the world’s largest fossil fuel companies.

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.

Slocan, BC – On Monday evening, Slocan Council voted 5-0 to work with other local governments towards a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies for a share of the costs of climate change, and to pledge $1 per resident for that purpose once other local governments come on board.

Saanich, BC (Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories) – In response to last night’s unanimous vote by Saanich Council to direct staff to explore collaboration with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies, Andrew Gage, Staff Lawyer, stated:

Qualicum Beach, BC – The Township of Qualicum Beach Council voted yesterday, 4-1, to commit to work with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies to recover a fair share of the township’s climate costs.

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 

Squamish, BC, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw – The District of Squamish will be the third BC local government to support a class action lawsuit against fossil fuel companies after Council, sitting as Committee of the Whole, voted 5-2 to set aside funds in the 2025 budget for this purpose.