Environmental Law Centre, University of Victoria

09/09/2026

A warm welcome to Sean Nixon! 🌿 We're thrilled to have this ELC alum and experienced environmental lawyer join our team for the next six months.

05/13/2026

We're welcoming articling student applications for 2027-28 until June 15.

Details available here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7460418396187185152

05/06/2026

Who pays when mine cleanup costs are underestimated?
A new ELC report prepared on behalf of Wildsight finds BC’s mine reclamation system still leaves taxpayers and ecosystems at risk—despite recent improvements. Transparency and stronger rules can close the gap.

05/01/2026

Featured as one of the experts in this Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions land use planning video, ELC ED Deborah Curran emphasizes that for real progress on climate action and UNDRIP alignment, we need to focus on the processes for conversations and relationships to sustain long-term collaboration going forward.

02/13/2026

We’re excited to share that the Environmental Law Centre and the Environmental Law Club are hosting the BC Public Interest Environmental Law Conference: Law Rooted in Land and Relationships on February 27 at the Indigenous Laws Wing, UVic Faculty of Law. This two‑day event opens with an Art & Film Showcase on February 26, followed by a full day of interdisciplinary dialogue on February 27 exploring watershed governance, Indigenous fire stewardship, intercultural lawyering, and the evolving landscape of Aboriginal title in BC. This conference renews a UVic Law tradition of bringing together students, legal practitioners, scholars, artists and community members for the unique opportunity to engage with current and emerging issues in public interest environmental law. (Online participation for some sessions is available.)

👉 More information and registration links here:

Law Rooted in Land and Relationships February 26-27, 2026 Co-hosted by the Environmental Law Centre (ELC) and the Environmental Law Club (ELC Club), this two-day event renews a UVic Law tradition of bringing together students, legal practitioners, scholars, artists and community members to discuss a...

09/26/2025

We recently submitted an environmental petition to the federal government on behalf of BC Wildlife Federation demonstrating the urgent need for federal action to prevent the spread of invasive mussels into BC

From the article: "This is not an isolated incident. B.C. has had several such close calls. Aquatic invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels are spreading and fouling freshwater systems across Canada and the United States.

If prevention programs that catch these contaminated vessels are not properly funded by the federal government, invasive mussels pose grave environmental and economic risks to B.C.

Invasive mussels can destabilize entire aquatic food webs, contribute to harmful algae blooms, degrade water quality for both wildlife and human use, and threaten native species, some already endangered.

Invasive mussels are also a major threat to infrastructure and public services as they clog water intake pipes and hydroelectrical systems. Other jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S. spend millions annually to manage these species. Prevention it is vastly more cost-effective than management of a permanent infestation.

Federal laws direct the federal government to prevent such invasions. These laws prohibit transporting, possessing, and introducing harmful non-indigenous species. They also give fisheries officers robust powers to direct or shut down activities when an aquatic invasive species threat is found. But laws can only succeed if they are properly enforced.

The Ontario-boat incident makes it painfully obvious that prevention requires real investment. Inspection stations, trained detection dogs, decontamination facilities, public awareness campaigns, and early detection systems are indispensable. Without them, we are simply waiting for a crisis that could cost far more in ecological damage, infrastructure destruction, and lost livelihoods than any preventive program."

Thank you to the Environmental Law Centre, University of Victoria

07/15/2025

📣 Call for project applications to 2025 Fall ELC Clinic! 📣

ICYMI, in September we will have another wonderful roster of law students do to free legal work for worthy public interest environmental cases and projects.

If you have a case or project that you would like a law student to work on (under the close supervision of an ELC lawyer), please submit an application (found here: https://envirolawcentre.ca/programs/ -to-request-help).

We're starting to assess cases now, but applications for new projects will be accepted until August 1, 2025.

We welcome your questions, and we look forward to working with you!

05/12/2025

More information about the May 30 event featuring Xinka leaders whose communities are being affected by Canadian-owned mining companies.

Café Simpatico is Friday, May 30
Doors open at 7 pm; program 7:30 pm
Join us to hear two Xinka community leaders discuss their people's struggle for self-determination and the health of their communities.

A historic consultation process between the Xinka Indigenous People and the Guatemalan government over the future of Canadian-owned Pan American Silver’s Escobal silver mine is nearing its end, after nearly seven years. Learn of concerns with the mine, the challenges Xinka leaders have faced during the consultation process, and the Xinka people's hopes for the future.

The Xinka delegation is endorsed by numerous organizations including: Mining Justice Alliance, MMiningWatch Canada Café Justicia, BC Casa, CoDevelopment Canada, KAIROS - BC/Yukon: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, the UBC Latin American Studies Program, the Latin America Network Student Association (LANSA), Victoria Peace Coalition, Victoria Central America Support Committee, Americas Policy Group (APG), Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network, Mining Injustice Solidarity Network, Earthworks, and the Institute for Policy Studies - Global Economy Program

Everyone is welcome to Café Simpatico! We offer refreshments, including Fair Trade Nicaraguan coffee. Donations gratefully accepted.

Paul Phillips Hall, Fernwood Community Association, 1923 Fernwood Road

05/08/2025

We thought some folks might be interested in this upcoming event!

Our next screening at Cafe Simpatico is PATROL, an award-winning documentary that follows communities on the frontlines of an intensifying environmental conflict in Nicaragua. More about the film: https://www.patrolmovie.com/

Fair-trade coffee, popcorn and refreshments available. Donations are welcomed.