Thursday, June 8, 2017 Twenty-five years after Canada proposed the idea of World Oceans Day to the United Nations, people around the world are still celebrating on June 8. It's also a time to reflect. Twenty-five years after Canada proposed the idea of World Oceans Day to the United Nations,
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Environmental Law Alert Blog: What’s your vision for Canada’s ocean in 2020?
Thursday, May 18, 2017 Oceans Day 2017 is approaching, and like many Canadians, we think it’s the perfect time of year to celebrate the seas. To pump up the excitement for West Coast’s marine program and for Oceans Day this year, we’re launching our #Oceans20 initiative. Oceans Day 2017 is
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Why the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act is worth celebrating
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 On May 12, 2017, the federal government introduced Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, for first reading in Parliament. You could say that the Act has been almost half a century in the making. So, is it a win? Keeping in mind the old adage,
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: #BCElxn2017 is good news for the environment
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 There will be a lot of discussion for weeks, maybe months, about who won the 2017 BC election (and who lost). But regardless of which party won, we think we can say that the environment is a big winner. Yawn. Late last night, I watched the
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Reigniting a spirit of outrage on Earth Day
Saturday, April 22, 2017 In honour of Earth Day, Staff Counsel Linda Nowlan looks at how the green movement can – and must – do more to keep the planet alive and thriving, as proposed by Peter Dauvergne in his book, Environmentalism of the Rich. Today, April 22, we
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Will the Canadian government “restore lost protections” for navigable waters?
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 The Liberal Party of Canada was elected in part on the basis of a promise to restore lost environmental protections – including reviewing the “elimination of the Navigable Waters Protection Act” in order to “restore lost protections and incorporate more modern safeguards.” On March 23rd the
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: How Teck Resources benefits from being the largest BC Liberal donor
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 Revelations about the amount of corporate money coming to the BC Liberals have many people asking: what are these companies getting in return? It’s a good question. After all, corporations are not supposed to spend their shareholders’ money without a reasonable expectation of a return. In
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Where there’s a will, there’s a way – Canada’s commitment to marine protected areas
Tuesday, March 28, 2017 “Canadian governments can and must do much more to protect Canadian ecosystems and biodiversity,” says the latest report from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development – a must-read for anyone concerned about biodiversity protection in Canada. Staff Counsel Linda Nowlan breaks
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Identifying Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Areas – a red herring?
Thursday, March 23, 2017 Baynes Sound and Lambert Channel – the marine area between Vancouver Island, Denman Island and Hornby Island – has been identified as an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) because of its importance as spawning habitat for herring. But does that mean it gets any extra
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Back to schools: Canada’s fish happy with new report, look forward to amended law
Monday, March 13, 2017 Fish across Canada breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the top recommendation from the Parliamentary Committee on Fisheries and Oceans’ report reviewing the Fisheries Act: to reinstate strong habitat protection for fish. Fish across Canada breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Let’s talk parks – and let’s talk marine protection
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 If you value parks as a way to protect biodiversity, there are two chances for you to speak up: Parks Canada is currently seeking public feedback on parks through its website, Let’s Talk Parks, and regulations for a proposed new marine protected area (MPA) for the Scott
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Let’s talk parks – and let’s talk marine protection
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 If you value parks as a way to protect biodiversity, there are two chances for you to speak up: Parks Canada is currently seeking public feedback on parks through its website, Let’s Talk Parks, and regulations for a proposed new marine protected area (MPA) for the Scott
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Surfacing the science for ocean protection: Reflections from a diver
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 West Coast's new Marine Campaigner Maryann Watson explains why she's looking forward to bringing together the important scientific information needed to make sound policy decisions and protect the marine environment. Surveying coral within a quadrat on Kiritimati atoll, Republic of Kiribati (Photo: Maryann Watson) read more
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Surfacing the science for ocean protection: Reflections from a diver
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 West Coast's new Marine Campaigner Maryann Watson explains why she's looking forward to bringing together the important scientific information needed to make sound policy decisions and protect the marine environment. Surveying coral within a quadrat on Kiritimati atoll, Republic of Kiribati (Photo: Maryann Watson) read more
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: 2017: A Look Ahead to Protect Nature, Climate and Communities
Thursday, January 5, 2017 Check out our short video to meet some of our talented lawyers and see what we're most excited about for 2017! From providing legal aid for communities to defend their environment, to revitalizing Indigenous laws, and holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in climate
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: The “other” Bill C-38 – Fish habitat redux and lessons for today
Thursday, November 24, 2016 Many Canadians who care about nature, democracy and Indigenous rights will recognize the name Bill C-38 – the omnibus budget bill from 2012 that dramatically weakened environmental protection under federal laws such as the Fisheries Act. But did you know that Parliament debated another Bill C-38
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: A new law is needed to protect citizens’ voices through the charities they support
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 Canadian law and policy restricts the involvement of charities in public debate and public policy development – activities labeled by the Canada Revenue Agency as “political activities”. Limiting charities’ involvement in public debate and public policy development silences the voices of Canadians who rely on the
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: West Coast Conversations: 6 questions that define the fight against Kinder Morgan
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 West Coast Staff Counsel Eugene Kung sat down with Senior Communications and Engagement Specialist Alexis Stoymenoff to discuss the recent report released by the Ministerial Panel on the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline and tankers project. Here’s what Eugene had to say about the report, and the six
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: The imminent federal decision on Northern Gateway…and the oil tanker ban?
Monday, November 14, 2016 As the deadline approaches for a federal decision on the Enbridge Northern Gateway project, West Coast Environmental Law Staff Counsel Gavin Smith reflects on his meetings with Ministers to talk about the Pacific north coast oil tanker ban. West Coast Environmental Law staff counsel Gavin Smith
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Your guide to Canada’s environmental law reviews
Thursday, November 10, 2016 In June 2016, the government announced a sweeping review of federal environmental laws – including Canada's environmental assessment (EA) law and processes, the Fisheries Act, Navigation Protection Act, and National Energy Board. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help shape Canada’s environmental laws and to contribute
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