New blog: Prioritizing and fast-tracking resource development in BC risks undermining and further eroding biodiversity, ecosystem health, and Indigenous rights values that the Province has pledged to protect. Polling suggests that a majority of British Columbians agree 👇 #bcpoli

“The ecological hotspot that the Tsimshian, Haida, and Tlingit peoples have safeguarded for millenia spans the U.S.-Canada border, and they deserve to be consulted about decisions that affect the watershed of the Stikine, Taku, and Unuk Rivers.” #BCMining #IndigenousRights

Thank you to Premier Eby and Coastal First Nations for taking a stand to protect the north BC coast against calls to repeal the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act 👏 The north coast is one of the richest and most productive ecosystems on earth – lifting the ban "makes absolutely no sense" #bcpoli #cdnpoli

This is why we need the Clean Coasts Act. Most #MarineDebris cleanup efforts are initiated by volunteers & non-profits – more needs to be done to hold polluters accountable. "Someone knows where these came from. So, somebody should be held to account for cleaning them up.”—Peter Ross @raincoast.org

#Budget2025 is so weak on climate it could expose the federal government to further legal risk. The new "Climate Competitiveness" Strategy offers handouts to polluting industry and walks back climate action. Our full reaction: www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli

With the federal government set to deliver its budget this week, here’s what we’ll be looking for in its climate competitiveness strategy 🔽 climateinstitute.ca/what-to-look...

Nation-building projects should benefit communities and respect Indigenous rights, not give handouts to Big Oil. This is why we are joining 48 orgs telling PM Mark Carney: No public funds for the Pathways Alliance #CCS project. Read the letter: bit.ly/4qHUSBg #CarbonCapture #ClimatePolicy #cdnpoli

Friends of Falls Creek is hosting a fundraising festival to support the Bonnington & Beasley communities against BC Timber Sales' proposed commercial logging in the watershed. A day of music and gratitude for nature's life-giving source! ⭐ FB event details: www.facebook.com/events/13588...

MP Patrick Weiler acknowledged the frustration shared by residents and advocates. “Coastal communities have carried the burden of #MarinePollution for far too long. [The Clean Coasts Act] ensures that those who pollute our oceans are finally held accountable.” #MarineDumping

“We’re disappointed that a carbon bomb of an LNG project is considered to be in the national interest,” says Anna Johnston, a staff lawyer with @wcelaw.bsky.social. www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...

Amidst worsening climate, biodiversity & pollution crises, the #GreenBudgetCoalition – including WCEL – has been promoting these comprehensive federal budget recommendations to create major progress addressing these crises. greenbudget.ca

Good news alert: Council of the Haida Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have detailed the formal establishment of two marine refuges — safeguarding ecosystems while supporting food security and cultural continuity for the Haida people.

Every story in BC starts in the wild. This one does too. Follow along at keepitwildbc.ca to see what's stirring. #keepitwildbc

The countdown is on — trial in La Rose v. His Majesty the King begins October 26, 2026 ⚖️🌎 Read our new blog post to learn more about our new partnership with @wcelaw.bsky.social and why this case is significant for Canada: www.ourchildrenstrust.org/blog/uniting...

A year from now, 15 youth from across Canada will take the federal gov to court for failing to protect their right to a safe, stable climate.⚖️ We're proud to stand with them as part of their legal team, supporting their demands for bold national #climateaction. www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli

Canada could face “three main buckets of liability” as a result of gutting key climate policies, in the form of domestic planning and reporting requirements, international claims and possible constitutional challenges. #ClimateLaw #cdnpoli

It’s been 10 years since journalists exposed Exxon for knowing way back in the ‘70s that burning fossil fuels causes global warming. #ExxonKnew was born — and so were dozens of lawsuits to hold big oil accountable. Let’s increase the pressure. #SueBigOil #climateaccountabilty #makepolluterspay

Check out this two-part webinar and workshop series for environmental NGO staff/volunteers, or anyone seeking to understand the new Building Canada Act & projects of national interest. Ft. West Coast Lawyer Anna Johnston 🌱 Part 1: Nov 5 (1-2PM ET) Part 2: Nov 19 (1-3PM ET). Register below! #BillC5

Two more leading experts have expressed concern regarding Record Ridge mine, warning of toxic metals & asbestos that may impact nearby communities and wildlife. "It would be unreasonable, procedurally unfair, and unlawful for [BC] to issue permits at this point"—Save Record Ridge Action Committee

New Staff Picks – documentary edition! Swipe for #naturedocumentary recs to watch and keep cozy this Fall 🍂 ◉ Wild Pacific (BBC Earth, 2009) ◉ Baraka (1992) ◉ My Octopus Teacher (Netflix, 2020)

Smith seems determined to force Carney’s government to make the same mistake [as Northern Gateway] all over again by rushing a project to approval before properly consulting with the same Indigenous nations the Harper government tried to steamroll more than a decade ago." #IndigenousSovereignty

Projects grounded in Indigenous consent are far likelier to prosper than those with opposition, and far likelier to include long-term planning that maintains the life systems that support us all. Read our op-ed with @davidsuzukifdn.bsky.social @environmentaldefence.ca @naturecanada.bsky.social 👇

Alberta gov announced its plan to develop a new oil pipeline & tanker proposal for the north BC coast. But the rhetoric around this idea fails to acknowledge important legal, economic and climate realities. Our blog gives a reality check on five key issues that must be central to the conversation.

Canada passed the Building Canada Act (Bill C-5), a law aimed at fast-tracking the approval "national interest" projects by "streamlining" processes and "structuring" financing 👉 What does that even mean, and what will that look like in action? We answer key questions: www.wcel.org/publication/...

Our RELAW team (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air & Water) is participating in the Economic Futures Summit on Nov 4-6 in San Francisco, California, Turtle Island. The Summit is a unique opportunity for connecting Indigenous-led sustainability solutions with investment and funding. Details ⬇️

What could the future of environmental law look like? Earlier this year, a group of young changemakers gathered in an inspiring dialogue where they explored how strong Canadian and Indigenous laws can shape a more resilient, just, and sustainable BC. ⭐️ Read the report: wcel.org/publication/...

PM Carney once called climate change “the most pressing issue of our time.” So why then is his government fast-tracking fossil fuel projects that turbo-charge these types of climate disasters? Our latest blog warns that this approach puts Canada’s climate goals and our communities' health at risk.

With the US President cutting back on climate science, kudos to Canadian scientists for picking up the slack!

"Coffee, along with chocolate, are really the canary in the coalmine for #ClimateChange. And that's Economics 101."

#TMX could only go forward with huge taxpayer subsidies and with federal gov actually buying the pipeline...pipelines are part of the economy of the past...the Alberta Premier is simply moving in the wrong direction."—WCEL Lawyer @singingwithin.bsky.social #cdnpoli

On Monday, @theglobeandmail.com hosts a free virtual event on how climate change is reshaping Canada’s health care system. We're glad to see Cecilia La Rose, one of the youth taking the federal government to court over climate inaction, contributing her perspective. Register: tgam.ca/454lVxR

"I think any federal government would lift the existing oil tanker moratorium at their political peril. The fear and the concern about an Exxon Valdez-style oil spill is still very live and it would be both a political and an economic mistake."—West Coast Executive Director Jessica Clogg. #cdnpoli

The #HighSeasTreaty reached a recent milestone of 60+ ratifications worldwide 🎉 Canada has signed the treaty and was instrumental in moving it forward – but "it's not ratified till it's ratified," says WCEL Lawyer Stephanie Hewson. Read more via @thenarwhal.ca #cdnpoli

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report & its 94 Calls to Action. In honour, the RELAW team at WCEL put together a list of 10 meaningful ways to recognize National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Sep 30) w/ some events in BC 🧡 #OrangeShirtDay

10 years ago, then-Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, delivered his landmark "Tragedy of the Horizon" speech—highlighting the systemic financial risks posed by climate change. Today, WCEL joins 54 int'l climate finance orgs calling for bold financial reforms. www.tragedyofthehorizon.org

Watch: A recording of our webinar on the Infrastructure Projects Act (BC Bill 15) and how to participate in the engagement process (a 15-20min survey) is now available. #bcpoli

Pics from #DrawTheLine on Saturday 📸 Really powerful and inspiring to see Vancouver and 70+ communities across Canada come together in cross-movement unity and solidarity. Hands up to all involved, and the fight for a better future continues!

Calling all ocean lovers! 🌊 The Union for BC Municipalities has begun and we need your help to get our resolution endorsed. The #CoastalMarineStrategy is a plan to better protect and manage the coast, but it needs legislation to succeed. Send a letter to your local government now! 💌 #bcpoli

This study outlines how existing regs across multiple jurisdictions in BC are failing to manage the cumulative impacts of development and climate change on #BCSalmon and watersheds. Co-authored by West Coast Lawyer Deborah Carlson and Summer Law Student Kai Fig Taddei—check it out! #bcpoli

Marine protection, Indigenous law revitalization, access to justice, climate accountability, and the health of land, air and water are all connected. We're working to develop lasting protections for the environment but we can’t do it without your support. Please join us! wcel.org/ActionEcosys...

Awesome turn out today at Vancouver #DrawtheLine. Fun to see so many friends and colleagues. Fabulous speeches and music. Thanks all for coming out!

Red Chris mine (co-owned by the same company responsible for the Mount Polley disaster) has been fined a second time in less than three months, in addition to its years-long record of noncompliance. Yet Canada has fast-tracked its expansion as one of five "nation-building" projects.

BC government wants to hear residents’ opinions on what may be fast-tracked under the new Infrastructure Projects Act (BC #Bill15). Take the 15–20min survey and share so more environmentally-minded voices are heard! See this helpful guide on taking the survey ⬇ #bcpoli

It's been 10 years since PM Carney's famous climate finance risk speech and the #ClimateCrisis is no longer the "tragedy of the horizon" – it's here. Join us for a webinar with leading experts to discuss what progress has been made and what has to change. 💻 Sep 29 (8am PDT). Register below!

Join us in Victoria for a free Climate Impacts Bike Tour as part of the Sept 20th Day of Action. 🚴‍♀️🚴 📅 Sat. 9/20 ⏰ 10a.m. – 12 📍 Starting: 398 Harbor Rd. 📍 Ending at the B.C. Legislature right on time for the #DrawtheLine rally. Come ride with us: suebigoil.ca/climate-bike-tour-victoria/

Making plans for #DrawTheLine this Saturday? March with us and @suebigoil.bsky.social! We're meeting at 2pm outside the VPL Central Branch (350 W Georgia St) and marching to Science World, where there will be music, dancing and speeches (including one from West Coast's Rayanna Seymour-Hourie)

West Coast's Katłı̨̀ą Lafferty, Indigenous storyteller & legal rights advocate, delivered an inspiring TED Talk on how Indigenous storytelling traditions offer crucial insights for addressing water scarcity, climate change, and sustainable living practices rooted in earth-centered wisdom. Watch now 💚

Without legislation to support it, the BC #CoastalMarineStrategy is at risk of becoming yet another well-intentioned plan that never reaches its full potential. Take action today: send a letter to your mayor and council telling them to vote YES to a coastal law at the UBCM 2025 Convention⤵ #bcpoli

BC is deciding whether “fast-tracked” infrastructure speeds a just transition or locks in more destruction. Join us for webinars on Sep 17 & 18 on what you should know about the BC Infrastructure Projects Act (Bill 15) and how to engage + a live Q&A. ⭐ Register here: linktr.ee/Bill15Survey...

“At some level, we are all collectively responsible for climate change, but at the same time, this type of paper just makes it that much clearer how much more responsible these companies are,” said Andrew Gage, a staff lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...