Empowering communities, protecting ecosystems
Empowering communities, protecting ecosystems
BC is sitting on a hidden opportunity: millions of tonnes of mine waste that could help supply the minerals needed for a low‑carbon economy. But without strong rules, remining these sites could also repeat the environmental and social harms of…
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…
When we learned that the Province was seeking public input on Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project, we revisited a 2023 tool the ELC developed in partnership with the Tŝilhqot’in National Government and other Nations. Protecting Indigenous Cultural Heritage Resources on…
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…
In 2019, the ELC joined with organizations throughout the province to create the BC Mining Law Reform Network (BCMLR) and to launch a mining law reform platform, which was intended to guide mining law reform in BC for the next…
To date, the majority of policy in Canada is designed to reduce plastic pollution in the marine environment has been targeted at single-use materials. But we find that the volume of single-use plastics pales in comparison to the amount of…
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…
Indigenous cultural heritage resources are not adequately protected in BC, but a recently released report prepared in partnership with the Tŝilhqot’in National Government and in consultation with other BC Nations aims to change that. Protecting Indigenous Cultural Heritage Resources on…
Over the past year, the ELC analyzed a variety legal options for urgently protecting the prime salmon and sturgeon habitat between Hope and Mission (the “Heart of the Fraser”). This habitat is essential in order to support salmon runs, some…
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,…
