Our RELAW (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water) program has reached its eight-year milestone. Read along as we reflect on powerful themes from our collective learning and celebrate eight years of making an impact.
Critters, rejoice. Canada appears to be in an era of renewed attention to wildlife and the lands and waters they need to survive and thrive.
Last year at this time, Vancouver was the centre of the marine conservation world, as the city hosted the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5). The Congress brought together attendees from far and wide to make progress on global marine protection goals.
Join us in calling on the Senate to pass Bill C-226, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to assess, prevent and address environmental racism and to advance environmental justice.
On October 13, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada released its opinion on the constitutionality of the Canadian Impact Assessment Act, with a 5-2 majority, led by Chief Justice Wagner, finding that the federal government has overstepped its jurisdiction in parts of the Act. Justices Karakatsanis and Jamal dissented, finding that the Act and regulations are constitutional.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the “UN Declaration”) recognizes that Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination and to revitalize, use, develop, and transmit to future generations their history, language, and culture, among other important rights.
On June 23, in the middle of what is expected to be the busiest cruise ship season ever on the west coast, Canada finally announced a new legal order imposing stronger restrictions on dumping from cruise ships in Canadian waters.
On March 7, 2023 the Town of Gibsons Council heard from a delegation of its residents who are concerned about the costs of climate change. Dawn Allen and Alaya Boisvert, supported by friends and neighbours, spoke passionately about the ways that climate change is already harming Gibsons.
On March 21-22, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) will hear arguments over one of the country’s most fundamental federal environmental laws – the Impact Assessment Act. West Coast Environmental Law is intervening in the case on behalf of ourselves and Nature Canada, alongside a number of other intervenors who agree that the Act must be upheld.
From February 3-9, ocean experts from around the world came together in Vancouver for the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5), to connect, share knowledge and make progress on global marine protection goals.