This summer, we’ve been thinking a lot about the people across BC – and throughout the country – who support West Coast in the work that we do. Your support comes in many forms: writing letters to government officials, sharing social media posts, volunteering, participating in discussions and making financial gifts.
We are one of Canada’s legal champions for the environment, and we could not do our work without you. Thank you!
Your contributions helps us to build and strengthen laws to protect the environment, which is vital for the well-being of all people in British Columbia and Canada. Our work defends clean water, protects the air that we breathe and the lands we share.
I have been the Director of Development at West Coast Environmental Law for over six months now, and I am excited to be working with such a committed group of lawyers and a team that is passionate about protecting our natural environment through legal means.
By acting as a watchdog, we help ensure that corporations and governments are held accountable for their actions and abide by legislation. And when it’s time for the laws to change, we come to the table with expert analysis, innovative solutions and clear recommendations for reform.
Organizations working to protect the environment are significantly underfunded compared with big corporations and industries, like Big Oil. What has impressed me with West Coast Environmental Law is how our lawyers punch well above their weight. Whether it is our innovative RELAW (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water) program, our work developing legal tools to protect marine areas, or re-thinking laws and policies to support green infrastructure in our communities. The West Coast team is working to make sure that, in this unprecedented time, BC and the federal government work to build our economy back better and greener.
Our lawyers are effective, in large part, because of their experience and dedication. Some have worked at West Coast for well over a decade. They work exceedingly hard – putting their legal skills to work to protect nature and make sure that we have healthy communities. They are bold. They are fierce in their passion. And they rely on the support of people like you.
There will always be powerful interests seeking to weaken or exploit Canada’s environmental laws. Supporting West Coast Environmental Law helps to “even the scales,” giving community members a stronger voice in the decisions that affect the land, air and water we rely on.
West Coast receives funding from foundations that are dedicated to protecting the environment and from generous individual donors who give to us monthly or once per year. We rely upon donations to do the work we do. These gifts provide West Coast with the flexibility that enables our team to pivot and redeploy resources when an emergency strikes.
In this strange time during the COVID-19 pandemic, many charities are asking for your support. As a society, we need all of the amazing groups in the charitable sector who do critical work – in health, social justice, environment, community support and more – to succeed and fulfill their missions. People’s health and wellbeing are paramount. However, we can’t ignore the threat that is posed by the collapse of our natural world.
Our mission is to make sure that the environment is in better condition for the next generation. We re-affirm that commitment to you – and because of your support, we’ll continue to stay on top of our legal programs and work together toward a healthier planet.
Photo credit: Michael Matti (Flickr, Creative Commons)