Important letter sent today to the Right Honourable Prime Minister Carney and Honourable Premier Eby Protect Baynes Sound — Concerns Regarding the Proposed Coastal Gateway Port in Union Bay – FinalDownload

Read our joint letter sent to Prime Minister Carney & BC Premier Eby 👇 #UnionBay

Six environmental organizations outline concerns about shipbuilding, repair and breaking in Union Bay Six environmental organizations have sent their request for strict regulatory oversight to Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby.

We're strongly concerned about the proposed Coastal Gateway Port project in #BaynesSound, one of BC's most important marine ecosystems, especially as the project is connected to Deep Water Recovery, notorious for its environmental non-compliance. #shipbreaking #bcpoli

"We're dismayed at the degree to which [DRIPA is] being misrepresented, mischaracterized and conflated as rhetoric and fearmongering. The risk before the legislators and all British Columbians is not created by DRIPA—it is created by the decisions to undermine it through unilateral action."

B.C. government pulls back on DRIPA suspension again amid First Nations opposition | CBC News The B.C. Premier's Office said Sunday evening the government won't table changes to DRIPA during this sitting of the legislature. The premier is slated to hold a press conference on Monday outlining t...

Thanks to all those taking a stand for #IndigenousRights in BC! This news comes after a coalition of First Nations leaders published an open letter urging MLAs to reject amendments to the Declaration Act, and several MLAs raised concerns about the proposed changes in an emergency meeting. #bcpoli

Looking for a summer job? Care about the environment? Join us as our Community Outreach Coordinator! Help spread the word and inspire action around our work safeguarding the environment through law at fun events like farmers' markets, festivals and more. Apply by May 6: wcel.org/job-posting/...

Here are a few ways Marine Protected Areas deliver benefits that matter to all of us.
Source: @wcelaw.bsky.social
www.wcel.org/sites/defaul...

The legacy of Cassiar Asbestos Mine: BC must ensure mines are properly cleaned up Cassiar, formerly a small asbestos mining town, has left a lasting mark on its previous residents, many of whom contracted asbestos-related diseases. Over thirty years after its closure, much of the m...

The Cassiar Asbestos Mine has left a lasting legacy on residents and their health, as well as the environment. Our new blog takes a look at the current state of reclamation, and how BC can strengthen its approach to ensure old mine sites are properly cleaned up.
#bcpoli #ReformBCMining #asbestos

First Nation asks IMO to count cultural losses in spill compensation formula A First Nation in B.C. will lobby the IMO headquartered in the United Kingdom to change the compensation formula for oil spills.

Chief Marilyn Slett, elected chief of the Heiltsuk Nation in northwestern B.C., will be in London on Tuesday to address the International Maritime Organization.

BC must stand up for #IndigenousRights and move forward on #reconciliation – not backwards.

Read the joint statement ➡️ www.wcel.org/DeclarationAct

Premier Eby's latest plan to suspend parts of the Act is a step backwards that will increase uncertainty for all British Columbians, and it's facing significant opposition from a broad range of folks across the province.

From unions, to law & justice groups, to enviro orgs, local gov leaders, faith groups, academics and more – 130+ civil society leaders across BC are urging the #BCgov to recommit to implementing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act ✊ wcel.org/DeclarationAct
#bcpoli #DRIPA

Photo of an oil tanker on the water, with inset image of WCEL staff lawyer Eugene Kung

For almost 20 yrs, West Coast has been working to prevent the expansion of oil pipelines & fossil fuel projects that endanger watersheds, ecosystems, climate & communities. We chatted w/ lawyer Eugene Kung about this work’s long history, priorities and latest challenges: www.wcel.org/blog/program...

Patience in a Time of Urgency: Sadie Vipond has waited 7 years for trial As Sadie Vipond sits on the bank of the Bow River, she recounts the 2013 flooding that occurred when she was 8 years old. “The magnitude of this flood was partially caused due to climate change making...

Sadie and her fellow youth plaintiffs in La Rose v. His Majesty the King are finally heading to trial this October!
Read more: www.wcel.org/blog/patienc...

Expedited Environmental Assessment Survey Guide — Organizing For Change

We've also worked with our partners at @ecojusticecanada.bsky.social and Organizing for Change to put together a survey guide to help you engage. Check it out here and fill out the BC government survey by April 13: www.organizingforchange.org/xea

Have your say: BC moves to slash environmental assessment for major projects The BC Environmental Assessment Office has outlined proposed changes to speed up provincial assessments. This blog outlines some key concerns to help you understand how these changes could affect you ...

New changes proposed by #BCgov to speed up #EnvironmentalAssessments could seriously undermine the integrity of the process – limiting BC's ability to properly assess potential harms to land, air, water, wildlife & communities. Read about how to have your say in our blog ⬇️
#bcpoli

Carney's New Nature Strategy: Red Flags and Optimism YouTube video by Energi Media

Carney's New Nature Strategy: Red Flags and Optimism

Conversation with Michael Bissonnnette, @wcelaw.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNb7...

#cdnpoli

Thanks for letting us know! We'll look into that for future updates.

In cases like #TMX #CoastalGasLink #FairyCreek, injunctions have been used to criminalize land defenders and protect corporations causing harm. What if they could be used to protect the environment? If you're thinking of seeking an injunction, our new guide outlines key info wcel.org/publication/...

📘 New resource: Navigating Mining Decisions in B.C.

We’ve created a practical guide to help communities better understand, track, and engage with mining projects across British Columbia. 🧵(1/6)

Over 130 civil society leaders have now endorsed this call—including labour unions, faith groups, enviro orgs, legal advocates, local government leaders, academics, artists, and others. Joint statement below ⬇️

Opinion: B.C. civil society leaders to Premier Eby: Uphold human rights — don’t amend DRIPA Questions still remain on what implementation of the UN Declaration and Declaration Act will look like, but now isn't the time to falter.

Leaders of Vancouver & District Labour Council, @bctf.bsky.social, Islands Trust, @bccla.bsky.social and WCEL call on Premier Eby to uphold—and not amend—the BC Declaration Act. "Now isn't the time to cede ground to those who cynically spread fear and doubt about that vital work." Read their op-ed!

We welcome Canada's new Nature Strategy – a positive step in what we hope will be an ambitious agenda to meet our #30x30 goals, and protect and restore the nature that is core to our identity as Canadians and underpins much of our economy. Read our full reaction: wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli

"Nature is a force for our well-being. When we're protecting nature, we're protecting Canadians — the air we breathe, the water we drink, the rivers we swim in." - PM Mark Carney

The strategy announced yesterday is a positive signal and an important step forward. seabluecanada.org/media-statem...

Write to your MP: Let’s keep the north coast oil-spill free A north coast crude oil pipeline and tankers project would pose an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic spill that would irreparably harm the rich ecology of the area and the coastal economies that dep...

Have 30 seconds to spare? Take action by contacting your local MP and the Minister of Transport to demand that they stand up for the tanker ban! Use our easy action tool below 👇 #cdnpoli

Lifting or amending the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act to allow oil tanker traffic on the north coast is a fool's choice. A catastrophic spill could irreparably harm the rich ecology of the area and the thriving coastal economies that depend on it.

The court was very clear: Failure to protect the climate system from GHG emissions includes:

"through fossil fuel production,
fossil fuel consumption,
the granting of fossil fuel exploration licences or
the provision of fossil fuel subsidies."

(5/5)

"Failure of a State to take appropriate action to protect the climate system from GHG emissions ... may constitute an internationally wrongful act which is attributable to that State."

(4/5)

Maybe we could all use a reminder.

Last July, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on the Obligation of States in respect of climate change, which said:

(3/5)

This, in a moment when war is again sending oil prices skyrocketing and when renewable energy has never been easier or cheaper to build!

(2/5)

Beck stands firm as federal NDP calls for unity despite disagreements on fossil fuel | CBC News Federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis is calling for cooperation despite a growing public rift with Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck over fossil fuel policy.

How bewildering and embarrassing it is hearing Canada's leaders and the media in the year 2026 saying how radical it is to talk about the transition away from fossil fuels. IN 2026!?! 😖

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
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