West Coast Environmental Law

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

Redeye News Podcast · Updated Semiweekly · A progressive take on current events. Produced by an independent media collective at Vancouver Cooperative Radio.

LISTEN NOW, on our podcast: Andrew Gage from West Coast Environmental Law on rising insurance costs due to climate change, and why big oil should pay. @suebigoil.bsky.social @wcelaw.bsky.social #ClimateJustice tiny.cc/rthy001 @sierraclubbc.bsky.social @sierraclubcanada.bsky.social

UNDRIP and the Economy: How does respect for Indigenous rights relate to the economy? Tahltan Elder & Mineral Explorationist Ma-Lah Allen Edzerza explains how building trusting, respectful relationships with First Nations creates the certainty companies need to finance projects and mov...

How does respect for #IndigenousRights relate to the economy? Tahltan Elder & Mineral Explorationist Ma-Lah Allen Edzerza explains how building trusting, respectful relationships w/ First Nations creates the certainty companies need to finance projects and move them forward. Check out the interview⬇️

Canada’s oceans provide billions in value beyond fish The federal government is beginning to tally the "invisible" benefits of oceans that don’t show up on balance sheets.

Ecosystem accounting captures the often ignored perks oceans provide—such as clean water, wildlife, and climate benefits—alongside revenue from traditional industries like fishing. According to Statistics Canada, ocean and coastal ecosystems generated at least $7.1 billion in benefits in 2023.

Federal Court of Appeal upholds decision to keep salmon farms out of B.C.’s Discovery Islands | CBC News Ottawa’s decision to phase out open-net salmon farms in B.C.’s Discovery Islands has once again been upheld after the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed a challenge from a local fish farm operator.

Win for BC #WildSalmon👏 New court ruling upholds Ottawa's phaseout of open-net salmon farms in the Discovery Islands—helping to protect wild salmon from disease in one of their most vulnerable migration routes. “When science & the law align, wild salmon can have a real fighting chance at recovery.”

Amid National Call to Make Polluters Pay, Illinois Lawmakers Are Prepping a Climate Change Superfund Bill - Inside Climate News Illinois lawmakers plan to introduce a climate change superfund bill in the state legislature this session, the latest in a growing number of states seeking to make fossil fuel companies pay up for th...

Momentum keeps building: Michigan just filed a climate lawsuit, and now Illinois is pushing forward with polluters-pay legislation. More and more states are saying it’s time for fossil fuel companies to cover some of the costs of the damage they’ve caused. insideclimatenews.org/news/2801202...

"The benefits of wetlands extend well beyond flood mitigation. For just two services—water filtration and net carbon sequestration—the estimated annual benefit of Canadian wetlands reaches $225B. Yet despite their enormous economic, environmental and social value, wetlands continue to disappear.”

Wetlands are a natural solution to basement flooding The destruction of these natural environments is unfortunate because, as climate change causes more frequent and intense rainfall, flooding has become the costliest natural hazard in Ontario.

“ #WorldWetlandsDay, marked each year on Feb. 2, is a timely reminder that #wetlands are not just 'ecological decoration.' They are essential infrastructure that protects communities in Ontario and across Canada from the growing threat of flooding..."

House on fire at night

Saturday | 10:25 Andrew Gage from West Coast Environmental Law on rising insurance costs due to climate change, and why big oil should pay.
@suebigoil.bsky.social @wcelaw.bsky.social
#ClimateJustice

We’re Witnessing Climate Displacement Now – But Do We Have Legal Protections or Strategy in Place to Respond? During the UN climate conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, climate-induced migration was one of the key issues in the spotlight for world leaders and climate experts. From hurricanes in the Caribbe...

#MigrantJustice and #ClimateJustice are interconnected: Climate change is already causing displacement & migration around the world, and Canada has a responsibility to do our part to address the social costs.