West Coast Environmental Law

06/17/2026

The federal government is proposing a wholesale shredding of Canada's environmental safety net. The public comment period has been extended to July 22, which buys us some time to TURN UP THE VOLUME 🔊

Write to your MP, and if you've already sent an email, call your MP. We need to speak up loudly and make sure the projects we build are ones that work for people and communities, not pad the pockets of big polluters. Use our quick action tool: https://www.wcel.org/blog/canadas-environmental-safety-net-being-shredded-again

06/15/2026

BC still clear-cuts the equivalent of 100 soccer fields of forests every day. Don’t let this be game over for old growth. Learn more from our friends Sierra Club BC 👇

06/11/2026

The have-it-both-ways policy approach is familiar: its proponents argue that ramped-up fossil fuel extraction can coincide with climate leadership. It’s a message regularly echoed by provincial and federal governments in BC, Canada and beyond. But is it legal?

We outlined the legal landmines BC could face for ramping up , as harmful climate impacts compound. “They’re opening themselves up to liability, as well as violating the rights of Canadians by continuing to do this,” said West Coast Lawyer Andrew Gage.

🔗 Read our report, "BC's Dirty Secret: How British Columbia's fossil fuels are causing climate change, harming our communities and exposing the Province to liability": https://www.wcel.org/publication/bcs-dirty-secret

06/10/2026

The Canadian Society for Ecology & Evolution (representing 930 scientists) strongly objects to weakening Canada’s environmental assessment laws and biodiversity obligations, arguing that it “would have serious consequences for Canada’s threatened species, biodiversity, and ecosystems.”

Government proposal to speed up development could harm protected plants and animals, scientists say

06/09/2026

Pipelines pose major risks to the climate, waterways and species Canadians cherish and rely on. Environmental laws are not red tape – they’re a safety net. The Carney government is proposing a wholesale shredding of that safety net. We are calling on the government to go back to the drawing board and make sure Canadians have the legal safeguards they need to know that development is working for them.

More on this below 👇

Unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin Territories , 9 June 2026: In a cross-country and cross-partisan show of solidarity today on Parliament Hill, civil society experts, backed by more than 120 organizations from coast to coast, and MPs from three parties called out the federal government’s reckless plan...

06/09/2026

New Report: The science tells us our climate can’t afford a single new fossil fuel project – yet big banks committed over $508 billion to fossil fuel expansion in 2025, up 27% in a single year. These banks are making massive profits at the expense of us all. We demand they now.

Read it at: bankingonclimatechaos.org

06/08/2026

Today on , let’s stand up for the waters that sustain coastal communities, wildlife, and livelihoods. A crude oil pipeline and tankers project would pose an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic spill that would destroy the rich ecology of the area and the coastal economies that depend on it.

A north coast oil pipeline proposal is expected by July 1 and opposition is strong. We must defend the oil tanker ban. Use our action tool to email your local MP and the Minister of Transport ⬇️

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 depend on it. Take action by contacting your local MP and the Minister of Transport to demand that they...

06/05/2026

After hearing from thousands of Canadians about the proposed environmental rollbacks announced two weeks ago, the federal government has extended the deadline for public input until July 22. This is good news! Now let's ramp up the pressure and make sure they scrap these reckless changes altogether.

Add your voice here: https://www.wcel.org/blog/stop-carney-governments-reckless-deregulation-agenda

06/05/2026

06/03/2026

Check out this event featuring West Coast staff Katłıà Lafferty and Rayanna Seymour-Hourie!

"Join Massy Books Events, McClelland & Stewart, Katłıà and Rayanna for a talk on Indigenous ways to protect and learn from Mother Earth, diving into how the Dene have long protected Mother Earth from destruction through their intricate knowledge systems, natural laws, and age-old principles."

📍 Thursday, June 18th at Massy Books (229 E. Georgia St. Vancouver, BC) on the unceded and occupied territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations
🎟️ Free with registration

Join Massy, McClelland & Stewart, Katłıà, & Rayanna Seymour-Hourie for a talk on Indigenous ways to protect and learn from Mother Earth.