West Coast Environmental Law

Alberta has challenged the federal Impact Assessment Act again. "Canadians would be much better off if provincial leaders focused on fixing the nature crisis instead of jurisdictional bickering,” says Staff Lawyer Anna Johnston. Our full reaction: https://lnkd.in/gA9Aiah7

BC's new cabinet ministers have major environmental decisions ahead of them—like deciding the fate of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline, Mineral Tenure Act reform, old growth deferral expiries, making good on #DRIPA (Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples), and more. 👇

“What sets the Great Bear Sea (GBS) fund apart is the direct involvement of Indigenous communities, and the fact that industry here is being reformed instead of cancelled. Nature-protection schemes have a long history of overlooking the people who actually live in said nature (usually Indigenous), often kicking them out to turn their home into a park. But the Great Bear Sea initiative was led from the outset by First Nations; their goal is to keep harvesting every possible resource from the region, just more sustainably than industry has up to now.” To learn more about this innovative financial model, the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence (PFP), check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/g_cwv75X

Since 2021's major flooding event, the most expensive disaster in BC history, more people are aware of the history of Semá:th Xhotsa / Sumas Lake being drained at the expense of Semá:th First Nation and the ecosystem (learn more in our blog: https://lnkd.in/gY4QzBfK). Three years later, Lower Fraser communities continue to grapple with the best paths forward for proactive flood management—including ways to work with nature through a managed retreat. Change feels risky, but costs of maintaining the status quo remain high as well.

W̱SÁNEĆ hereditary chiefs are calling to halt the ­upcoming commercial herring season and prevent the collapse of the keystone species. “We need to give the herring time to recover so that it can be fished ­sustainably again, as my great-grandfather did.”

Canada’s oil & gas pollution cap is a logical step to ensure the industry does its part to reach our climate targets. It’s on solid constitutional ground, and it could be even stronger, write Staff Lawyers Anna Johnston and Andrew Gage. Our take in The Globe and Mail linked below – check it out! #climatepolicy #environmentallaw

New analysis of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project by Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer was released last week. Despite ignoring the cost of buying and building TMX and including some rosy assumptions, the analysis still found that the project will lose money. 

“This move to regulate climate pollution is squarely within the federal government’s jurisdiction, and it’s an essential piece of the policy puzzle when it comes to reducing emissions and meeting Canada’s climate targets,” said WCEL Lawyer Anna Johnston. #EmissionsCap

Rare disasters—like landslides triggered by extreme rain from atmospheric rivers—are becoming more common due to climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution. Our condolences to Sonya McIntyre's family and the loved ones of others lost to the climate crisis.

This study finds that in most cases, investing in marine protected areas directly benefits peoples’ health and the economy. MPAs allow marine species to recover, thereby increasing harvests and bolstering fishing-based livelihoods.