Empowering communities, protecting ecosystems
Empowering communities, protecting ecosystems
After several years of shifting locations, the ELC has securely landed in our new offices, and it feels like home. We have always appreciated the Faculty of Law’s support and spaces allocated to us throughout the Fraser Building, but we…
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…
Photo courtesy of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center In September, the ELC formally questioned the federal government’s lack of meaningful support and decision to reduce funding for programs that help protect BC from the devastating spread of invasive zebra…
It’s heartening to see a group of students digging into an issue at 8am, especially when they are immersed in a mellow morning vibe with Fleetwood Mac tunes, bubbling river videos, a table full of study snacks, and the aroma…
The ELC recently partnered with Coastal Stewardship Network (CSN) to update a tool that Indigenous Guardians use in the field as they monitor and protect their territories. Environmental Laws: A Field Guide for BC’s North and Central Coast and Haida…
Prepared on behalf of Watershed Watch Salmon Society (WWSS), a new ELC guide empowers citizens interested in protecting and defending the environment. A Citizen’s and Lawyer’s Guide to Private Prosecutions in British Columbia explains how individuals can use private prosecutions as a…
In early November, ELC staff Deborah Curran and current articling student Chad Wilkinson travelled to Sechelt to present to elected officials, planning staff, and citizens in several local governments of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD). The workshop focused on…
The ELC recently supported the launch of two new environmental law clinics in Bhutan and Thailand, which are the first in their Asian countries. As part of the ELC’s long-term relationship with these Clinics ELC Executive Director Deborah Curran travelled…
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…
Cross-border coal mine pollution in the Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed may soon have the attention and action it deserves. A 2021 submission the ELC filed on behalf of Wildsight helped lead to a recent referral from Canada, the US and the Ktunaxa…
Student enviro-volunteerism was on display again this year for the 7th annual Research-a-thon. The Research-a-thon is a one-day event where students gather to generate research that supports public interest environmental law in BC and Canada. The goal of this year’s…
