Media Releases

West Coast Environmental Law is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Andrew Thompson Award, which recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding lifetime contribution to environmental protection and sustainability through law in BC.

Environmental and constitutional law experts at West Coast Environmental Law Association are decrying a second constitutional challenge to the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA) launched by the Government of Alberta.

The proposed new federal oil and gas greenhouse gas pollution cap regulations will use a cap-and-trade system to limit pollution from oil and gas facilities and ensure the sector does its fair share to help meet Canada’s climate goals.

Lawyers with the West Coast Environmental Law Association expressed shock yesterday after an announcement suggesting that the BC NDP would end its consumer carbon price if the federal government drops its requirement for the law.

The letter was sent in the aftermath of the Jasper Wildfire Complex, which destroyed approximately 30 percent of the community as well as parts of Jasper National Park, and as communities across North America experience an uptick in fossil-fueled climate disasters like fires, smoke, floods, and deadly heat.

Unceded, traditional, and ancestral Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories / Vancouver, BC – BC is joining other coastal regions in North America with the release of its first and much-needed

The biodiversity crisis demands immediate action, environmental advocates say

Legal analysis highlights current shortcomings and recommendations for strengthening national policy

Port Moody, BC – Port Moody City Council released a public statement yesterday announcing its commitment to work with other BC local governments to

Burnaby, BC / Unceded Coast Salish Territories – Yesterday evening, Burnaby City Council voted 8-1 to support a class action lawsuit brought by BC local governments against the world’s largest fossil fuel companies.

Canada urgently needs a national strategy and accountability mechanisms to assess, prevent and address environmental racism and advance environmental justice, as proposed by Bill C-226. We call on the Senate to prioritize and expedite the final vote on Bill C-226 as soon as possible. Canada must confront the impacts of environmental racism and advance environmental justice.

Environmental and public interest groups are expressing frustration over proposed amendments to the Impact Assessment Act introduced in the Budget Implementation Act.

The Lower Fraser Floodplains Coalition congratulates BC on the release of the BC Flood Strategy. The unique “sharing the pen” approach with eight Nations from major watersheds, including the Lower Fraser, was a good step towards reconciliation in action. While there is a lot to be encouraged by in the language and intentions of the Strategy, the Coalition is left with unanswered questions about dedicated funding and an Implementation Plan.

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories/VANCOUVER

Today, lawyers at West Coast Environmental Law are celebrating Canada’s signing of the High Seas Treaty on the one-year anniversary of the agreement.

Slocan, BC – On Monday evening, Slocan Council voted 5-0 to work with other local governments towards a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies for a share of the costs of climate change, and to pledge $1 per resident for that purpose once other local governments come on board.

Saanich, BC (Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories) – In response to last night’s unanimous vote by Saanich Council to direct staff to explore collaboration with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies, Andrew Gage, Staff Lawyer, stated:

Qualicum Beach, BC – The Township of Qualicum Beach Council voted yesterday, 4-1, to commit to work with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies to recover a fair share of the township’s climate costs.

Lawyers highlight need for urgency & increased ambition in forthcoming regulations

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories/VANCOUVER 

Environmental groups call on the BC government to deliver on its long-delayed promise to establish a public participation funding program for environmental assessments

Biodiversity & ecosystem health to be legally established as ‘overarching priorities’ for all sectors 

Squamish, BC, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw – The District of Squamish will be the third BC local government to support a class action lawsuit against fossil fuel companies after Council, sitting as Committee of the Whole, voted 5-2 to set aside funds in the 2025 budget for this purpose. 

Majority of Canadians want oil companies to pay for the project; only 18% say the government is heading in the right direction

OTTAWA | TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHNAABEG PEOPLE – With six weeks to go until the UN Climate Change Conference COP28, a coalition of leaders of

“This is not the win Alberta was hoping for,” say environmental lawyers

Decision expected this Friday in Supreme Court of Canada reference case