Three New Year’s resolutions for the Earth
Monday, January 6, 2014 The beginning of the year is a good time for planning, setting goals. And with 2014 shaping up to be an important year for environmentally minded…
other issues
Forestry in BC – few inspections, low consequences
Friday, December 20, 2013 We’ve reviewed the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Compliance and Enforcement Annual Reports from 1998 to 2012. And what we've found raises a…
BC government outs environmental debtors
Thursday, December 12, 2013 The BC government yesterday released the names of 18 businesses and 155 individuals who have not paid court fines for environmental offences committed between 2004 and…
Info Commissioner says environmental info should be more available
Thursday, December 5, 2013 If a disaster strikes in the forest, the question is not does it make a sound, but does the government have a legal duty to tell…
Should industry frack with our water?
Thursday, November 14, 2013 Hydraulic fracturing – which uses and pollutes a whole lot of water – should be a major discussion point within the public consultations on a new…
Who benefits from water in BC?
Friday, November 8, 2013 The current public consultation on a new BC Water Sustainability Act represents a perfect opportunity to ask: who should benefit from BC’s water? Because right now…
Water Sustainability Act and Groundwater
Friday, November 8, 2013 About one out of every four British Columbians relies on wells for drinking water. Groundwater is also essential to BC’s agricultural sector and is critical for…
Water for fish and the Water Sustainability Act
Tuesday, November 5, 2013 Imagine a lake, stream or river that you love. Or perhaps rely upon for your drinking water or livelihood. That’s what the current BC government consultations…
Say no to cosmetic pesticide use
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 It was only two years ago that Premier Christie Clark promised that the province would ban cosmetic pesticide use– pesticide use on lawns and ornamental plants.…
Will local government election rules silence the public?
Monday, October 21, 2013 Local government elections should be about communities discussing their problems, and electing people who will address those problems. Making a home-made lawn-sign or printing a few…
Will BC’s proposed Water Sustainability Act really be sustainable?
Friday, October 18, 2013 British Columbians have been waiting for a new Water Act (our current one is 104 years old and has its problems), and now that wait may…
Why Anna’s going to Washington
Tuesday, October 15, 2013 Recently we asked our readers to write to the Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC) to talk about their concerns with the Canadian government’s actions in dismantling…
What shielding Water Act violators says about BC’s environmental enforcement
Tuesday, October 15, 2013 Last Tuesday (October 8th), the Province paper had an important story – Environment ministry continues to shield Water Act violators – about the Ministry of Environment’s…
The Lemon Creek jet spill and emergency release of data
Thursday, August 29, 2013 I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to have your drinking water, and your entire community, contaminated with jet fuel. So when some…
Lack of footnotes costs fish farm activist $75,000
Tuesday, July 30, 2013 On Monday, July 22nd the BC Court of Appeal ordered well-known anti- fish farm activist Don Staniford to pay $75,000 in damages because the mock cigarette…
Canadians stand up for fish
Friday, July 12, 2013 A great many Canadians, from many different backgrounds, have been standing up for fish – saying no to changes to the law that would gut legal…
Health Canada fiddles while bees burned by pesticides
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Earlier this month, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), an arm of Health Canada that regulates pesticides, released its report into the deaths of honey bees…
Tell the Prime Minister – Fish need legal protection
Tuesday, June 18, 2013 Among the most controversial elements of Bill C-38, passed a year ago (June 18th, 2012) was the decision to “take the guts out” of the Fisheries…
The Fight Against FIPA
Monday, June 17, 2013 “We stand together! We stand together! We stand together!” On June 5th, 2013, West Coast Environmental Law’s Executive Director Jessica Clogg and three legal interns joined…
The Fight Against FIPA
Monday, June 17, 2013 “We stand together! We stand together! We stand together!” On June 5th, 2013, West Coast Environmental Law’s Executive Director Jessica Clogg and three legal interns joined…