West Coast Environmental Law

Coastal First Nations warn billions at risk if Ottawa sinks tanker ban First Nations sustainable development has proved an economic engine for coastal communities — that prosperity is in peril if there’s an oil spill, says Coast Funds

A single oil spill doesn’t just threaten First Nations communities, but could sink tourism, commercial and recreational fisheries, aquaculture and marine services — all of which depend on the healthy coast. – @coastfunds.bsky.social

At best, BC Bill M 216 would lead to regulatory deadlock with projects tied up in under-resourced dispute resolution processes; at worst, it could result in catastrophic harm to human health, property, and the environment. We outline our concerns in this letter: www.wcel.org/publication/...

If an industry-hired professional greenlights a project, do you think your local government should be allowed to get a second opinion? BC Bill M 216, the Professional Reliance Act, threatens to prevent municipalities from questioning potentially negligent professional actions. #bcpoli

© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.

#brokenpromisesprotest was a HUGE success. At least 800 people in Nelson, and held at another 9 or 10 locations around the province!

Listen to CBC Daybreak South interviewing Save What’s Left’s Joe Karthein before the protest:

www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

Are you our next Climate Campaign Strategist? This role engages in local gov outreach, volunteer mobilization and campaign strategy to help the public to draw links between their experiences of #ClimateChange, climate science & the need to make polluters pay. Apply by Dec 7: wcel.org/job-posting/...

Share your story in Canada’s engagement on Environmental Justice and Racism Are you or your community impacted or at risk of being impacted by an environmental issue where you work, where you play sports or do recreational activities, or inside your home? If so, until Decembe...

Are you impacted by an #EnvironmentalJustice issue in Canada? Make your voice heard! 🗣️

The gov is seeking input on its National Strategy re: Environmental Racism & Justice. Here's how you can share your views by Dec. 12 to help shape this important initiative: www.wcel.org/blog/share-y... #cdnpoli

Canada shamed as “Fossil of the Day” at COP30, for the first time in more than a decade - Climate Action Network Canada (CAN-Rac) Belém, Brazil, 18 November 2025: Today at COP30, international civil society denounced Canada as Fossil of the Day—the first time since 2014 that Canada has been singled out for this dishonour. Foss...

📢 For the first time in over a decade, Canada has been shamed at #COP30 as the “Fossil of the Day” — the most dishonourable award given during COPs to the countries “who are the best at being the worst and doing the most to do the least.”

Read our press release:
shorturl.at/hSGvm

LNG project, mines, hydro dam, power lines among latest major project referrals TERRACE, B.C. — The federal government announced Thursday the latest list of major building projects to be considered for fast-track approval under legislation passed in June — a list focused entirely...

“Calling projects like Ksi Lisims and #LNG Canada in the ‘national interest’ ignores the harm they are causing to Canadians and the reality that they drive the #ClimateCrisis instead of solving it.” — West Coast Lawyer @singingwithin.bsky.social #cdnpoli

It's wrong headed to call liquified natural gas "nation building" and irresponsible of Canada to double down on such high polluting projects, particularly when they have highly questionable benefits. Our full reaction: www.wcel.org/media-releas... #LNG #cdnpoli

North Coast Protection | Coastal First Nations Get in touch with CFN to learn more about our initiatives, partnerships, and how you can support sustainable development and conservation efforts.

West Coast has signed on to the North Coast Protection Declaration. We urge Canada to uphold the tanker ban. Protecting the North Coast is not an item for negotiation—it's national responsibility and a quantifiable investment in Canada’s treasured marine environment and economic prosperity. #bcpoli

Big Oil logic: “We’ll stop destroying the planet… right after we finish destroying the planet.” If the feds won’t hold them accountable, our communities can. Make Big Oil pay their fair share.
👉 suebigoil.ca/declaration

Why BC must not bypass environmental and human rights commitments to fast-track major projects As BC rushes to rubber-stamp major projects aimed at boosting the economy, provincial leaders must not forget about the commitments they’ve made to ensure a healthy environment and uphold Indigenous r...

New blog: Prioritizing and fast-tracking resource development in BC risks undermining and further eroding biodiversity, ecosystem health, and Indigenous rights values that the Province has pledged to protect. Polling suggests that a majority of British Columbians agree 👇 #bcpoli

Southeast Alaska Tribes Deliver 30,000 Letters to BC Officials on Mining Skeena’s Eskay Creek Mine among BC projects risking downstream waters and fish

“The ecological hotspot that the Tsimshian, Haida, and Tlingit peoples have safeguarded for millenia spans the U.S.-Canada border, and they deserve to be consulted about decisions that affect the watershed of the Stikine, Taku, and Unuk Rivers.” #BCMining #IndigenousRights

B.C. premier, First Nations call on feds to continue oil tanker ban along northern coast | CBC News B.C. Premier David Eby stood with members of numerous First Nations from B.C.’s northern coast on Wednesday to support and sign a declaration that asks Ottawa to continue a moratorium on oil tankers i...

Thank you to Premier Eby and Coastal First Nations for taking a stand to protect the north BC coast against calls to repeal the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act 👏 The north coast is one of the richest and most productive ecosystems on earth – lifting the ban "makes absolutely no sense" #bcpoli #cdnpoli

Strengthening Canada’s marine pollution laws: Private Member’s Bill C-244, the Clean Coasts Act The Clean Coasts Act (Private Members Bill C-244) could make a real difference in addressing the most common ocean-based sources of marine pollution in Canada's waters.

The Clean Coasts Act (Private Member’s Bill C-244) aims to close gaps in the legal framework that enable common types of #MarinePollution in the first place. Check out our blog where we explain how these legal changes work, and why we need them 👇

Industrial tires filled with Styrofoam wash up on Vancouver Island beach | CBC News Eleven industrial tires each weighing about four tonnes and filled with Styrofoam have washed up near Campbell River, B.C., prompting concern for wildlife in the area.

This is why we need the Clean Coasts Act. Most #MarineDebris cleanup efforts are initiated by volunteers & non-profits – more needs to be done to hold polluters accountable. "Someone knows where these came from. So, somebody should be held to account for cleaning them up.”—Peter Ross @raincoast.org

#Budget2025 is so weak on climate it could expose the federal government to further legal risk. The new "Climate Competitiveness" Strategy offers handouts to polluting industry and walks back climate action.

Our full reaction: www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli

What to look for in Canada’s climate competitiveness strategy The federal government is set to deliver its budget next week. It is expected to include a climate competitiveness strategy that ...

With the federal government set to deliver its budget this week, here’s what we’ll be looking for in its climate competitiveness strategy 🔽
climateinstitute.ca/what-to-look...

Nation-building projects should benefit communities and respect Indigenous rights, not give handouts to Big Oil. This is why we are joining 48 orgs telling PM Mark Carney: No public funds for the Pathways Alliance #CCS project.

Read the letter: bit.ly/4qHUSBg #CarbonCapture #ClimatePolicy #cdnpoli

Friends of Falls Creek Friends of Falls Creek is a community-led organization to protect the watershed supporting the communities of Beasley and Bonnington located in the Kootenay region within British Columbia.

West Coast is supporting Friends of Falls Creek through our Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF). Learn more about them at: www.friendsoffallscreek.ca

Friends of Falls Creek is hosting a fundraising festival to support the Bonnington & Beasley communities against BC Timber Sales' proposed commercial logging in the watershed. A day of music and gratitude for nature's life-giving source!

⭐ FB event details: www.facebook.com/events/13588...

Strengthening Canada’s marine pollution laws: Private Member’s Bill C-244, the Clean Coasts Act The Clean Coasts Act (Private Members Bill C-244) could make a real difference in addressing the most common ocean-based sources of marine pollution in Canada's waters.

To learn more about Private Member’s Bill C-244, the Clean Coasts Act, check out our blog.

New federal legislation targets marine pollution and derelict vessels Bill C-244 targets marine dumping and derelict vessels to protect coastal waters

MP Patrick Weiler acknowledged the frustration shared by residents and advocates. “Coastal communities have carried the burden of #MarinePollution for far too long. [The Clean Coasts Act] ensures that those who pollute our oceans are finally held accountable.” #MarineDumping

What is in the ‘national interest?’ While the Building Canada Act is intended to fast-track projects, it doesn't actually define the broad term driving decisions

“We’re disappointed that a carbon bomb of an LNG project is considered to be in the national interest,” says Anna Johnston, a staff lawyer with @wcelaw.bsky.social. www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...

Amidst worsening climate, biodiversity & pollution crises, the #GreenBudgetCoalition – including WCEL – has been promoting these comprehensive federal budget recommendations to create major progress addressing these crises. greenbudget.ca

Canada: marine refuge a milestone for Indigenous-led conservation - Oceanographic The two marine refuges off Canada's Haida Gwaii will safeguard key habitats for all salmon species, herring, seabirds, and harbour seals.

Good news alert: Council of the Haida Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have detailed the formal establishment of two marine refuges — safeguarding ecosystems while supporting food security and cultural continuity for the Haida people.

Every story in BC starts in the wild. This one does too. Follow along at keepitwildbc.ca to see what's stirring. #keepitwildbc

Uniting for Climate Rights: West Coast Environmental Law Joins Canadian Youth-Led Climate Lawsuit — Our Children's Trust Across Canada, the signs of a worsening climate crisis are impossible to ignore—wildfires blanketing skies in smoke, floods swallowing communities, and rising costs leaving families struggling to rebu...

The countdown is on — trial in La Rose v. His Majesty the King begins October 26, 2026 ⚖️🌎 Read our new blog post to learn more about our new partnership with @wcelaw.bsky.social and why this case is significant for Canada: www.ourchildrenstrust.org/blog/uniting...

Graphic with photo of 13 young people posing with title text: One year from historic climate trial, West Coast stands with youth taking Canada to court.

A year from now, 15 youth from across Canada will take the federal gov to court for failing to protect their right to a safe, stable climate.⚖️ We're proud to stand with them as part of their legal team, supporting their demands for bold national #climateaction. www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli

Carney government could face legal challenges on climate The Carney govenrment's rollbacks of climate policy could pose some legal risk at both the domestic and international level, according to Charlie Hatt at Ecojustice.

Canada could face “three main buckets of liability” as a result of gutting key climate policies, in the form of domestic planning and reporting requirements, international claims and possible constitutional challenges. #ClimateLaw #cdnpoli