Cowichan Watershed Board Goes for the Flow
Monday, September 21, 2015 A recent decision of the Environmental Appeal Board raises important questions about the ways that we can assist natural ecosystems in adapting to climate change. The…
Andrew
Is BC’s environmental enforcement plummeting because conservation officers are stuck at their desks?
Monday, September 21, 2015 During the summer a news story on Global TV suggested that BC has too few conservation officers to deal with all of the problem wildlife calls.…
What is climate leadership in BC, Canada and the world?
Thursday, August 20, 2015 The governments of both British Columbia and Alberta are currently consulting the public as they develop “climate leadership plans.” But what does it really take to…
Pricing the priceless: Why BC’s new water prices don’t violate NAFTA
Friday, July 17, 2015 We have suggested that BC's new water rates are too low – an assessment shared by the signatories to a SumofUs.org petition signed by 225,000 people.…
Dutch climate court win – What does it mean for Canada?
Friday, June 26, 2015 Earlier this week (June 24th) a Dutch court ordered the Dutch government to ramp up its climate change plans – to achieve at least a 25%…
Dutch judicial lessons for Canada
Friday, June 26, 2015 In the recent Dutch court decision ordering the Dutch government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% (relative to 1990 levels) by 2020, the court made…
Greetings from Bonn, on Loss and Damages Day
Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Developing country negotiators at the UN Climate Conference in Bonn, supported by environmental organizations, have declared today to be Loss and Damages Day – focusing on…
Gravel pit case puts the spotlight on BC’s environmental assessment laws
Monday, June 8, 2015 Talia McKenzie first found out that she was going to be living next to a gravel pit the day she picked up the keys to her…
What does an NDP Alberta mean for Climate, BC Pipeline campaigns?
Friday, June 5, 2015 Last month’s dramatic NDP win in Alberta led to much speculation (at least among those interested in such issues) as to what this means for the…
Canada’s GHG emissions cost the world 8,800 lives and $15.4 Billion every year
Monday, June 1, 2015 Canadian politicians may argue that our greenhouse gas emissions are small, but because the global harm that the world is already suffering from climate change is…
Mini-SLAPP provisions dropped from new BC Societies Act
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 Today Bill 24, a new Societies Act, was introduced in the BC Legislature. We are very happy to be able to confirm that the controversial “Section…
Dear PM: Destruction of our atmosphere undermines Canada’s security
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 In this era of heightened concerns about national security, we invite you to read the following open letter to Prime Minister Harper that makes a simple…
Does Canada’s Pest Control Product Act protect farm workers?
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 It has been said that the measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. So when I recently testified the House of…
Financial Clout v. Right to Speak Out
Friday, February 13, 2015 “The right to speak is more precious than gold”. Members of the Wilderness Committee displayed these words proudly on the steps of the Supreme Court of…
Is this glass half full, and what should it cost?
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 Last Thursday (February 5th) the BC government unveiled its new pricing framework for water use in BC. The new pricing for BC water was undertaken after…
Kinder Morgan v. Freedom of Speech
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 To what extent does our society afford us a right to freedom of expression? This is a question Mr. Alan Dutton must be quizzically trying to…
Tsleil-Waututh Nation: “Yes” to solar; “No” to Kinder Morgan
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 I was honoured to attend the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s (TWN) launch and celebration of its new solar tracker. With the installation of TWN’s solar tracker, TWN signaled…
A new and improved Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 West Coast is excited to unveil our new and improved Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF). A recent review of the EDRF’s last 5 years, which included…
Social licence: mob rule or democracy in action?
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 The term “social licence to operate” is used frequently by project proponents and in the media, but has recently attracted some controversy. However, In a context…