Empowering communities, protecting ecosystems
Empowering communities, protecting ecosystems
If mining companies don’t pay the full cost of cleanup, the public may be stuck with the liability. BC has made progress on mine reclamation – but serious risks remain. Our report, Next Steps for Responsible Mining: Improving Bonding and…
A recent ELC report prepared for Surfrider Canada tackles potential solutions to the messy problem of toxic cigarette butt litter, but it may require public pressure for governments to actually take action. The most widespread form of consumer pollution comes…
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are synthetic gases that are primarily used for refrigerants, air conditioning, and heat pumps. They’re also found in foams, aerosols, fire protection and solvents. Originally developed as a substitute for other gases that were depleting the ozone, HFCs…
We’ve said many times before that some ELC files need time to brew. Such was the case with our 2019 submission with Ecojustice to Canada’s Competition Bureau asking for an investigation into Keurig Canada’s claims about the recyclability of their…
In late August, the ELC filed a submission on behalf of Too Close 2 Home asking the BC Provincial Government to conduct a Regional Assessment with public hearings regarding a proposed petrochemical complex project in the Prince George area. While…
This summer, the ELC asked the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development and the Auditor General of Canada for an inquiry Into Canada’s failure to control Elk Valley’s coal mine pollution. The comprehensive submission, prepared on behalf of Wildsight,…
Indigenous Guardians monitor and protect the lands and waters on their territory. They are the “eyes and ears” of a First Nation on the ground. Guardians monitor the activities of resources users, enforce federal, provincial, and Indigenous laws, gather data…
Our latest report on dealing with plastic pollution calls for the introduction of plastic recycling standards in Canada. This is the fourth report in the series of our work on plastics issues. Only 9% of total plastic is actually recycled,…
Friday, February 28 marks the third annual ELC Research-a-thon at UVic Law. The event, which gathers students together for a day of focused research on one topic, was modelled after the 2017 Research-a-thon organized by McGill law students to assist…
Over the past year, ELC staff and students have continued to work extensively to develop strategies to deal with plastics pollution. Our contributions have started to generate action at the political level, including a commitment this summer from the federal…
