West Coast Environmental Law

10/10/2026

West Coast was on Parliament Hill this week sounding the alarm over Bill C-39, which the Carney government is trying to rush through Parliament. It aims to speed up major projects by creating Wild West zones where environmental laws don't apply and getting rid of independent reviews for major energy and nuclear projects.

It's still at an early stage, and many Canadians haven't heard of the bill. Our latest blog explains why it's dangerous and needs to be scrapped. https://www.wcel.org/blog/bill-c-39-reckless-approvals-act

10/06/2026

REMINDER: We're hosting a free webinar about the La Rose v. His Majesty the King youth climate case (which goes to trial later this month). It's tomorrow, Oct 7 at 12pm PT. Come learn about the case and hear from one of the youth plaintiffs and members of the legal team.

RSVP here: https://bit.ly/LaRoseWebinar

10/05/2026

On October 1st, the federal government designated a costly new west coast oil pipeline as the first project of ‘national interest’ under the Building Canada Act, which means it’s essentially PRE-APPROVED – before we know the risks, before any meaningful consultation with Indigenous nations, even before we know the full route of the pipeline!

And it’s taxpayers who will foot most of the bill for the project.

Unless it is de-listed, it will receive all final authorizations by September 2027, after a hasty and superficial review process.

Tell your MP to reverse the decision and de-list the project before it is too late. Find the link to our email tool here: https://www.wcel.org/taxpayerpipeline

10/01/2026

Canada’s decision to pre-approve the “Pacific Link” pipeline & tankers project is reckless, short-sighted and could lead to legal challenges.

Listing the project as a “national interest” project under the Building Canada Act comes before any environmental assessment and means the only question now is “how” not “whether” the costly new pipeline will be built.

West Coast lawyers are calling on the government to de-list the pipeline so proper assessment and meaningful consultation can take place.

Swipe through for our quick takes and find our full reaction here: https://www.wcel.org/media-release/west-coast-reacts-ottawas-decision-fast-track-west-coast-oil-pipeline-and-tankers

09/30/2026

The campaign is mobilizing non-Indigenous folks to donate a day's pay (or what you can afford) to support Indigenous organizations on Sept. 30 - the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 🧡 Learn more about the campaign and donate what you can: www.onedayspay.ca

Today, we Reflect. Then Act.

On September 30, give One Day’s Pay, or what you can, to support Indigenous-led organizations working toward healing, self-determination, and lasting change.

Reflect. Then Act. 🧡
onedayspay.ca

09/29/2026

2026 is RELAW's 10 Year Anniversary. In honour of this milestone, the RELAW team at WCEL has put together a list of ten meaningful ways to recognize and celebrate the National Day for on September 30th with events in Vancouver and Victoria.

09/28/2026

Bill C-39, the so-called Building Canada Strong Act, threatens to rip Canada's environmental safety net apart. Tucked inside are a dizzying array of amendments to claw back protections for species at risk, water quality, fisheries and more, while expanding Ottawa's powers to exempt major projects from certain protections.

"We don't have an economy over the long term if we destroy the ecosystem."

09/24/2026

Check this out 👇 This webinar will examine how investors can effectively hold a high watermark for Indigenous Peoples’ rights through shareholder proposals given the current ecosystem in both Canada and the US. Ft. West Coast Lawyer Joanna El-Mikati.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hxnkoe7LRP-gh0RElVzJPQ #/registration

Learn how investors can effectively hold a high watermark for Indigenous Peoples’ rights through shareholder proposals given the current ecosystem in both Canada and the United States.

Trends and Tools to Advance Indigenous Peoples’ Rights through Shareholder Proposals
🗓️ Tuesday September 29, 1:00pm PT / 4:00pm ET
🌐 Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hxnkoe7LRP-gh0RElVzJPQ #/registration

Speakers share insights and practical tools to support investor engagements, including benchmarks for assessing company commitments, disclosures, engagement, and accountability, as well as how investors can develop proposals grounded in Indigenous priorities to move companies beyond symbolic commitments toward meaningful action.

Presented by the Union Of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, Reconciliation and Responsible Investment Institute(RRII), West Coast Environmental Law, and Tallgrass Institute.

09/24/2026

On Monday, the federal government introduced Bill C-39, which proposes to rollback Canada's core environmental laws in the name of speeding up development. They're hoping Canadians won't look too closely because it contains many of the same proposals they put forward earlier this year which prompted thousands of emails from Canadians. Time to speak up again, and tell Canada to abandon this reckless deregulation agenda for good.

09/23/2026

Next month, La Rose v. His Majesty the King goes to trial in Vancouver.

The case was launched in 2019 by fifteen young Canadians who argue that the federal government’s weak climate laws, targets and plans are violating their constitutional rights to life, liberty and security of the person under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Want to learn more about the case and how you can support the plaintiffs?

Join us for a free webinar on October 7 at 12 p.m. PT. You’ll hear from Lauren, one of the youth plaintiffs, and members of the legal team, about why they brought the case, what they’re asking the court to do, and how you can get involved as the trial approaches.

Register here: https://bit.ly/LaRoseWebinar