West Coast Environmental Law

Marine Protected Areas are proven to foster more biodiversity, helping ecosystems resist and recover from climate stresses.

@wcelaw.bsky.social
Source: https://bit.ly/4kQVfHa

Soaked again: BC isn’t ready for floods – let’s change that Major flood events in BC – like the flooding that hit the south coast in December – produce a familiar cycle of shock, scrambled recovery and promises to do better next time. BC’s Flood Strategy offer...

Major flood events in BC produce a familiar cycle of shock, scrambled recovery and promises to do better next time. BC’s #FloodStrategy offers a better path forward, but lacks the funding needed to implement it. We get into it on our blog. #bcpoli

Opinion: B.C.’s budget gamble: Invest now in flood prevention or pay much more later Acknowledging risk while refusing to fund mitigation is gamble with public money, public safety, and the livelihoods of communities

Last December, the Lower Mainland had its third major flood disaster in five years, yet BC budgeted no new funds for flood prevention. Choosing not to invest now doesn't make the cost disappear. It defers it to future budgets & to the communities most exposed to escalating impacts. Read the op-ed 👇

Croisières : toujours populaires, toujours préoccupantes pour l’environnement L’achalandage au port de Vancouver devrait battre des records cette année.

French version: ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/223...

Croisières : toujours populaires, toujours préoccupantes pour l’environnement L’achalandage au port de Vancouver devrait battre des records cette année.

As coastal BC gears up for another big cruise season, Staff Lawyer Michael Bissonnette spoke to Radio-Canada/CBC about the tremendous amount of pollution generated by scrubbers used by #CruiseShips. Read more below.

Remembering Pat Moss of Smithers, BC. Environmental advocate, convenor, ally, board member, friend. We have lost a giant in the environmental movement.

Why we’re defending the Impact Assessment Act in court – again From February 24-26, I was at the Alberta Court of Appeal on behalf of Nature Canada and West Coast Environmental Law defending the constitutionality of the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA). This w...

Dive into our latest blog: www.wcel.org/blog/why-wer...

Why we’re defending the Impact Assessment Act in court – again From February 24-26, I was at the Alberta Court of Appeal on behalf of Nature Canada and West Coast Environmental Law defending the constitutionality of the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA). This w...

We were in court last week on behalf of @naturecanada.bsky.social to defend the #ImpactAssessmentAct against Alberta’s latest challenge. Without the Act, big projects could be approved without fully understanding their impacts on ecosystems, climate and communities.

🌊 Four times a year, we curate inspiring stories and share our expert take on emerging issues in #MarineProtection and ocean law. Subscribe to the Law Aquatic now to receive the Spring issue tomorrow! www.wcel.org/law-aquatic-...

The brave youth plaintiffs in La Rose v. His Majesty the King are now preparing for a historic climate trial beginning October 26! This is what civic action looks like when the ballot box isn’t an option. Learn more: ourchildrenstrust.org/canada #YouthvCanada @wcelaw.bsky.social

HIRING: We're looking for a full-time staff lawyer to join our Access to Justice team – someone who is passionate about using their legal skills in service of #EnvironmentalJustice. Learn more about the role and apply by March 22: www.wcel.org/job-posting/...

Marine Protected Areas help ecosystems recover from industrial impacts like overfishing, habitat destruction,
pollution and underwater noise.

Source: https://bit.ly/4kQVfHa
@wcelaw.bsky.social

Can nature benefit Canada's economy? New report says parks contribute billions in taxes, wages | CBC News The new look at Canada’s conservation economy comes amid federal cuts to departments like Environment, Climate Change and Nature and the Parks Canada agency, while other important conservation program...

Over the past 15 years, as public spending in protected parks increased by roughly 50%, corresponding tax revenues, GDP & labour income grew between 51–250%. Yet the new federal budget included no new nature conservation funding. Conservation needs to be treated as a core pillar of economic policy.

On 10/26 youth plaintiffs in La Rose v. His Majesty the King head to trial to tell their climate stories and share evidence on how the govt is violating their rights to life, liberty and security of the person by worsening the climate crisis. More: ourchildrenstrust.org/canada @wcelaw.bsky.social

When properly created and managed, MPAs can actually help protect the fishery. By protecting habitats and giving fish space to recover, MPAs can help rebuild fish populations and increase catches.

Source: https://bit.ly/4kQVfHa
@wcelaw.bsky.social

It’s not just First Nations leaders voicing opposition to BC's plans. 100+ prominent labour, faith, environmental, legal, academic, artistic and other community leaders are calling on BC to abandon the amendments and rise above anti-Indigenous and fear-based rhetoric: wcel.org/DeclarationAct

B.C. moves ‘at warp speed’ to amend the Declaration Act | The Narwhal First Nations oppose the plan to weaken the Declaration Act, or DRIPA — a key piece of reconciliation legislation in B.C. — by June

As opposition grows, BC is pushing ahead to amend the Declaration Act on an unreasonable timeline despite warnings of the consequences, including legal challenges, conflict and setting back reconciliation efforts. #bcpoli

Opinion: The blurring line between journalism and activism is being used as a cudgel Who gets to decide who’s a reporter, and who’s an activist? The answer matters for press freedom

The line between #journalism and #activism is on trial on both sides of the US-Canada border, with far-reaching consequences for who gets to enjoy constitutionally protected #pressfreedom. #cdnpoli

Another one of the many benefits of Marine Protected Areas: Increasing tourism dollars in coastal communities.

Protected areas can lead to more & better tourism opportunities, as seen in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. 🚣

Source: https://bit.ly/4kQVfHa
@wcelaw.bsky.social

Researchers warn of negative health outcomes from fracking in the B.C. Peace region | CBC News One Dawson Creek family physician told city council she’s seen the prevalence of rare cancers at an alarming frequency, and claims exposure to contaminants from nearby fracking is to blame.

Doctors & researchers are raising concerns about the prevalence of cancer diagnoses among people living near #fracking in the Peace Region of BC, citing 50+ studies over two decades www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #bcpoli #health

Elbows Up for Indigenous Rights | The Tyee Six years ago BC led the world in addressing harms to First Nations. Why put that progress at risk?

Respect for #HumanRights is good for everyone. It's time for MLAs & British Columbians to recognize the progress we've made together under BC's Declaration Act, and speak out against narratives that frame #IndigenousRights as threats. New op-ed by Judith Sayers: thetyee.ca/Opinion/2026... #bcpoli

B.C.’s economic push collides with reconciliation promises | The Narwhal The B.C. budget counts on more revenue from mining and natural gas, as the premier vows to amend Indigenous Rights legislation to keep the courts out of it

“[BC government] might make nice noises about negotiation or collaboration, but the sad history is that without being able to hold the Crown accountable in court, we risk denial, delay and further conflict,” commented WCEL Executive Director Jessica Clogg. #IndigenousRights #DRIPA #bcpoli

UNDRIP and the Economy: What do recent court decisions mean for the economy? Lawyer John Gailus shares his insights on recent BC court decisions related to Indigenous rights, and what they mean for the economy. Part 3 in a series featuring interviews with experts and leaders.

Lawyer John Gailus shares his insights on recent BC court decisions related to #IndigenousRights, and what they mean for the economy. Part 3 in a series featuring interviews with experts and leaders. Check it out! #DRIPA #bcpoli

Tell BC to Invest in the Coastal Marine Strategy | BlueprintForTheCoast Last year, the Government of BC took great strides towards protecting the coast by releasing its first-ever Coastal Marine Strategy. The BC Coastal Marine Strategy is an intersectional plan aiming to ...

Have 30 seconds to spare? Please use our action tool to urge Premier David Eby and the Minister of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship, Randene Neill to adequately fund and develop a legal framework for the #CoastalMarineStrategy!

We need a law to bring the Coastal Marine Strategy to life As British Columbia focuses on strengthening BC’s economic security in a world in turmoil, it should be putting significant energy into an existing marine policy, including strengthening it through la...

Healthy coasts are critical for human safety and security, and responsible economic mgmt. A new coastal marine law (and amendments to existing laws) could:
🔹Address #MarinePollution & contaminated seafood
🔹Protect coastal habitats
🔹Facilitate shoreline restoration
🔹Recognize/standardize marine plans

📢 80+ civil society leaders from faith, labour, enviro, legal, academic and arts communities are standing together for human rights and reconciliation—calling on #BCgov to recommit to implementing not amending #DRIPA. #bcpoli #IndigenousRights

Read the statement: wcel.org/DeclarationAct

Valentine’s Day is on Saturday and we want to express our gratitude to you. Thanks for your dedication to healthy communities and ecosystems 💖 With your support, we can bring the best legal tools to the fight to protect the environment. Here's an ocean-themed Valentine to share with your loved ones!

One year after PM Carney’s election, much of Canada’s climate plan is gone, oil & gas industry has new “flexibility,” and nearly everything hinges on industrial carbon pricing. So what’s the real plan to cut emissions? Do we even have one? Read our latest blog and decide: wcel.org/blog/lay-lan...

Opinion: Reconciliation is not an issue for governments to address at their convenience B.C. Premier David Eby has proposed amending the Declaration Act to remove First Nations’ access to the courts – an unacceptable return to a painful past we thought was behind us

"Limiting court oversight won't protect reconciliation. It risks returning BC to a time when access to justice for First Nations existed only when it was convenient for the Crown. That's what we hear, remember, and fear when the Premier says he will amend DRIPA."—Chief Marilyn Slett, Heiltsuk Nation

UNDRIP and the Economy: Will the economic sky fall? Gitxaała Nation Chief Councillor Linda Innes discusses how implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) can strengthen the economy. Part 2 in a series featuring intervi...

Respecting #IndigenousRights brings economic benefits. 🤝 As Gitxaała Nation Chief Councillor Linda Innes explains, First Nations are making significant contributions to BC's economy, and implementing #UNDRIP can increase certainty & help us prosper together. Learn more in our blog ⬇️
#bcpoli #DRIPA