Environmental Law Alert Blog

Through our Environmental Law Alert blog, West Coast keeps you up to date on the latest developments and issues in environmental law. This includes:

  • proposed changes to the law that will weaken, or strengthen, environmental protection;
  • stories and situations where existing environmental laws are failing to protect the environment; and
  • emerging legal strategies that could be used to protect our environment.

If you have an environmental story that we should hear about, please e-mail Andrew Gage. We welcome your comments on any of the posts to this blog – but please keep in mind our policies on comments.

2020 Canadian Law Blog Awards Winner

The Sue Big Oil campaign is a collaboration of British Columbians concerned about the harmful impacts of climate change on BC communities and the skyrocketing costs for local governments and taxpayers. As the campaign enters its third year this summer, we asked Staff Lawyer Andrew Gage about the progress and potential of this key campaign.

Throughout West Coast’s history, we’ve been committed to transforming the legal landscape in ways that are more sustainable, more democratic and more just. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re reflecting on five key moments that have made the organization into what it is today.

The newly released Coastal Marine Strategy ushers in a new era of collaborative and sustainable management of the BC coast.

Send a thank you note to the Government of BC for releasing the province’s first Coastal Marine Strategy.

Canada must act now to establish legally binding targets and thresholds that protect marine life, as well as dedicated quiet areas of the ocean, and requirements that all offshore projects must be designed to reduce underwater noise.

Gitxaała Nation is headed back to court to make sure that BC is held accountable for aligning its laws with UNDRIP. Is BC’s legislated commitment to UNDRIP and Indigenous rights just a political promise, or is it legally enforceable?

Last week, a tremendous step was taken to secure the long-term health of a large swath of ocean along the BC coast and contribute to economic prosperity in coastal communities.

This article was originally published in Slaw, Canada's online legal magazine, on June 21, 2024.

A once in a decade opportunity: Have your say about how Metro Vancouver and its member communities manage wastewater and stormwater.

As Indigenous Peoples Day approaches on June 21, 2024, the RELAW (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air & Water) team wanted to take this moment to reflect on the significance of this day and the rich cultural heritage it celebrates.