West Coast Environmental Law
@wcelaw.bsky.social
Transforming the legal landscape. We’re a non-profit org safeguarding the environment with legal strategies that bridge Indigenous and Canadian law. Since 1974 🌱 Visit: wcel.org
It's wrong headed to call liquified natural gas "nation building" and irresponsible of Canada to double down on such high polluting projects, particularly when they have highly questionable benefits. Our full reaction: www.wcel.org/media-releas... #LNG #cdnpoli
November 14, 2025 at 1:48 AM
It's wrong headed to call liquified natural gas "nation building" and irresponsible of Canada to double down on such high polluting projects, particularly when they have highly questionable benefits. Our full reaction: www.wcel.org/media-releas... #LNG #cdnpoli
West Coast has signed on to the North Coast Protection Declaration. We urge Canada to uphold the tanker ban. Protecting the North Coast is not an item for negotiation—it's national responsibility and a quantifiable investment in Canada’s treasured marine environment and economic prosperity. #bcpoli
North Coast Protection | Coastal First Nations
Get in touch with CFN to learn more about our initiatives, partnerships, and how you can support sustainable development and conservation efforts.
coastalfirstnations.ca
November 13, 2025 at 6:24 PM
West Coast has signed on to the North Coast Protection Declaration. We urge Canada to uphold the tanker ban. Protecting the North Coast is not an item for negotiation—it's national responsibility and a quantifiable investment in Canada’s treasured marine environment and economic prosperity. #bcpoli
Reposted by West Coast Environmental Law
Big Oil logic: “We’ll stop destroying the planet… right after we finish destroying the planet.” If the feds won’t hold them accountable, our communities can. Make Big Oil pay their fair share.
👉 suebigoil.ca/declaration
👉 suebigoil.ca/declaration
November 7, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Big Oil logic: “We’ll stop destroying the planet… right after we finish destroying the planet.” If the feds won’t hold them accountable, our communities can. Make Big Oil pay their fair share.
👉 suebigoil.ca/declaration
👉 suebigoil.ca/declaration
New blog: Prioritizing and fast-tracking resource development in BC risks undermining and further eroding biodiversity, ecosystem health, and Indigenous rights values that the Province has pledged to protect. Polling suggests that a majority of British Columbians agree 👇 #bcpoli
Why BC must not bypass environmental and human rights commitments to fast-track major projects
As BC rushes to rubber-stamp major projects aimed at boosting the economy, provincial leaders must not forget about the commitments they’ve made to ensure a healthy environment and uphold Indigenous r...
www.wcel.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:13 PM
New blog: Prioritizing and fast-tracking resource development in BC risks undermining and further eroding biodiversity, ecosystem health, and Indigenous rights values that the Province has pledged to protect. Polling suggests that a majority of British Columbians agree 👇 #bcpoli
“The ecological hotspot that the Tsimshian, Haida, and Tlingit peoples have safeguarded for millenia spans the U.S.-Canada border, and they deserve to be consulted about decisions that affect the watershed of the Stikine, Taku, and Unuk Rivers.” #BCMining #IndigenousRights
Southeast Alaska Tribes Deliver 30,000 Letters to BC Officials on Mining
Skeena’s Eskay Creek Mine among BC projects risking downstream waters and fish
earthjustice.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:45 PM
“The ecological hotspot that the Tsimshian, Haida, and Tlingit peoples have safeguarded for millenia spans the U.S.-Canada border, and they deserve to be consulted about decisions that affect the watershed of the Stikine, Taku, and Unuk Rivers.” #BCMining #IndigenousRights
Thank you to Premier Eby and Coastal First Nations for taking a stand to protect the north BC coast against calls to repeal the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act 👏 The north coast is one of the richest and most productive ecosystems on earth – lifting the ban "makes absolutely no sense" #bcpoli #cdnpoli
B.C. premier, First Nations call on feds to continue oil tanker ban along northern coast | CBC News
B.C. Premier David Eby stood with members of numerous First Nations from B.C.’s northern coast on Wednesday to support and sign a declaration that asks Ottawa to continue a moratorium on oil tankers i...
www.cbc.ca
November 5, 2025 at 9:42 PM
This is why we need the Clean Coasts Act. Most #MarineDebris cleanup efforts are initiated by volunteers & non-profits – more needs to be done to hold polluters accountable. "Someone knows where these came from. So, somebody should be held to account for cleaning them up.”—Peter Ross @raincoast.org
Industrial tires filled with Styrofoam wash up on Vancouver Island beach | CBC News
Eleven industrial tires each weighing about four tonnes and filled with Styrofoam have washed up near Campbell River, B.C., prompting concern for wildlife in the area.
www.cbc.ca
November 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM
This is why we need the Clean Coasts Act. Most #MarineDebris cleanup efforts are initiated by volunteers & non-profits – more needs to be done to hold polluters accountable. "Someone knows where these came from. So, somebody should be held to account for cleaning them up.”—Peter Ross @raincoast.org
#Budget2025 is so weak on climate it could expose the federal government to further legal risk. The new "Climate Competitiveness" Strategy offers handouts to polluting industry and walks back climate action.
Our full reaction: www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli
Our full reaction: www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli
November 5, 2025 at 12:19 AM
#Budget2025 is so weak on climate it could expose the federal government to further legal risk. The new "Climate Competitiveness" Strategy offers handouts to polluting industry and walks back climate action.
Our full reaction: www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli
Our full reaction: www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli
Reposted by West Coast Environmental Law
With the federal government set to deliver its budget this week, here’s what we’ll be looking for in its climate competitiveness strategy 🔽
climateinstitute.ca/what-to-look...
climateinstitute.ca/what-to-look...
What to look for in Canada’s climate competitiveness strategy
The federal government is set to deliver its budget next week. It is expected to include a climate competitiveness strategy that ...
climateinstitute.ca
November 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
With the federal government set to deliver its budget this week, here’s what we’ll be looking for in its climate competitiveness strategy 🔽
climateinstitute.ca/what-to-look...
climateinstitute.ca/what-to-look...
Nation-building projects should benefit communities and respect Indigenous rights, not give handouts to Big Oil. This is why we are joining 48 orgs telling PM Mark Carney: No public funds for the Pathways Alliance #CCS project.
Read the letter: bit.ly/4qHUSBg #CarbonCapture #ClimatePolicy #cdnpoli
Read the letter: bit.ly/4qHUSBg #CarbonCapture #ClimatePolicy #cdnpoli
November 3, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Nation-building projects should benefit communities and respect Indigenous rights, not give handouts to Big Oil. This is why we are joining 48 orgs telling PM Mark Carney: No public funds for the Pathways Alliance #CCS project.
Read the letter: bit.ly/4qHUSBg #CarbonCapture #ClimatePolicy #cdnpoli
Read the letter: bit.ly/4qHUSBg #CarbonCapture #ClimatePolicy #cdnpoli
Friends of Falls Creek is hosting a fundraising festival to support the Bonnington & Beasley communities against BC Timber Sales' proposed commercial logging in the watershed. A day of music and gratitude for nature's life-giving source!
⭐ FB event details: www.facebook.com/events/13588...
⭐ FB event details: www.facebook.com/events/13588...
November 3, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Friends of Falls Creek is hosting a fundraising festival to support the Bonnington & Beasley communities against BC Timber Sales' proposed commercial logging in the watershed. A day of music and gratitude for nature's life-giving source!
⭐ FB event details: www.facebook.com/events/13588...
⭐ FB event details: www.facebook.com/events/13588...
MP Patrick Weiler acknowledged the frustration shared by residents and advocates. “Coastal communities have carried the burden of #MarinePollution for far too long. [The Clean Coasts Act] ensures that those who pollute our oceans are finally held accountable.” #MarineDumping
New federal legislation targets marine pollution and derelict vessels
Bill C-244 targets marine dumping and derelict vessels to protect coastal waters
www.coastreporter.net
October 30, 2025 at 4:50 PM
MP Patrick Weiler acknowledged the frustration shared by residents and advocates. “Coastal communities have carried the burden of #MarinePollution for far too long. [The Clean Coasts Act] ensures that those who pollute our oceans are finally held accountable.” #MarineDumping
Reposted by West Coast Environmental Law
“We’re disappointed that a carbon bomb of an LNG project is considered to be in the national interest,” says Anna Johnston, a staff lawyer with @wcelaw.bsky.social. www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
What is in the ‘national interest?’
While the Building Canada Act is intended to fast-track projects, it doesn't actually define the broad term driving decisions
www.nationalmagazine.ca
October 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
“We’re disappointed that a carbon bomb of an LNG project is considered to be in the national interest,” says Anna Johnston, a staff lawyer with @wcelaw.bsky.social. www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Amidst worsening climate, biodiversity & pollution crises, the #GreenBudgetCoalition – including WCEL – has been promoting these comprehensive federal budget recommendations to create major progress addressing these crises. greenbudget.ca
October 29, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Amidst worsening climate, biodiversity & pollution crises, the #GreenBudgetCoalition – including WCEL – has been promoting these comprehensive federal budget recommendations to create major progress addressing these crises. greenbudget.ca
Good news alert: Council of the Haida Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have detailed the formal establishment of two marine refuges — safeguarding ecosystems while supporting food security and cultural continuity for the Haida people.
Canada: marine refuge a milestone for Indigenous-led conservation - Oceanographic
The two marine refuges off Canada's Haida Gwaii will safeguard key habitats for all salmon species, herring, seabirds, and harbour seals.
oceanographicmagazine.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Good news alert: Council of the Haida Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have detailed the formal establishment of two marine refuges — safeguarding ecosystems while supporting food security and cultural continuity for the Haida people.
Every story in BC starts in the wild. This one does too. Follow along at keepitwildbc.ca to see what's stirring. #keepitwildbc
October 28, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Every story in BC starts in the wild. This one does too. Follow along at keepitwildbc.ca to see what's stirring. #keepitwildbc
Reposted by West Coast Environmental Law
The countdown is on — trial in La Rose v. His Majesty the King begins October 26, 2026 ⚖️🌎 Read our new blog post to learn more about our new partnership with @wcelaw.bsky.social and why this case is significant for Canada: www.ourchildrenstrust.org/blog/uniting...
Uniting for Climate Rights: West Coast Environmental Law Joins Canadian Youth-Led Climate Lawsuit — Our Children's Trust
Across Canada, the signs of a worsening climate crisis are impossible to ignore—wildfires blanketing skies in smoke, floods swallowing communities, and rising costs leaving families struggling to rebu...
www.ourchildrenstrust.org
October 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The countdown is on — trial in La Rose v. His Majesty the King begins October 26, 2026 ⚖️🌎 Read our new blog post to learn more about our new partnership with @wcelaw.bsky.social and why this case is significant for Canada: www.ourchildrenstrust.org/blog/uniting...
A year from now, 15 youth from across Canada will take the federal gov to court for failing to protect their right to a safe, stable climate.⚖️ We're proud to stand with them as part of their legal team, supporting their demands for bold national #climateaction. www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli
October 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
A year from now, 15 youth from across Canada will take the federal gov to court for failing to protect their right to a safe, stable climate.⚖️ We're proud to stand with them as part of their legal team, supporting their demands for bold national #climateaction. www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli
Canada could face “three main buckets of liability” as a result of gutting key climate policies, in the form of domestic planning and reporting requirements, international claims and possible constitutional challenges. #ClimateLaw #cdnpoli
Carney government could face legal challenges on climate
The Carney govenrment's rollbacks of climate policy could pose some legal risk at both the domestic and international level, according to Charlie Hatt at Ecojustice.
www.nationalobserver.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Canada could face “three main buckets of liability” as a result of gutting key climate policies, in the form of domestic planning and reporting requirements, international claims and possible constitutional challenges. #ClimateLaw #cdnpoli
Reposted by West Coast Environmental Law
It’s been 10 years since journalists exposed Exxon for knowing way back in the ‘70s that burning fossil fuels causes global warming. #ExxonKnew was born — and so were dozens of lawsuits to hold big oil accountable. Let’s increase the pressure. #SueBigOil #climateaccountabilty #makepolluterspay
October 23, 2025 at 7:14 PM
It’s been 10 years since journalists exposed Exxon for knowing way back in the ‘70s that burning fossil fuels causes global warming. #ExxonKnew was born — and so were dozens of lawsuits to hold big oil accountable. Let’s increase the pressure. #SueBigOil #climateaccountabilty #makepolluterspay
Check out this two-part webinar and workshop series for environmental NGO staff/volunteers, or anyone seeking to understand the new Building Canada Act & projects of national interest. Ft. West Coast Lawyer Anna Johnston 🌱
Part 1: Nov 5 (1-2PM ET) Part 2: Nov 19 (1-3PM ET). Register below! #BillC5
Part 1: Nov 5 (1-2PM ET) Part 2: Nov 19 (1-3PM ET). Register below! #BillC5
Environmental Justice Implications of the Building Canada Act (Bill C-5)
www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca
October 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Check out this two-part webinar and workshop series for environmental NGO staff/volunteers, or anyone seeking to understand the new Building Canada Act & projects of national interest. Ft. West Coast Lawyer Anna Johnston 🌱
Part 1: Nov 5 (1-2PM ET) Part 2: Nov 19 (1-3PM ET). Register below! #BillC5
Part 1: Nov 5 (1-2PM ET) Part 2: Nov 19 (1-3PM ET). Register below! #BillC5
Two more leading experts have expressed concern regarding Record Ridge mine, warning of toxic metals & asbestos that may impact nearby communities and wildlife.
"It would be unreasonable, procedurally unfair, and unlawful for [BC] to issue permits at this point"—Save Record Ridge Action Committee
"It would be unreasonable, procedurally unfair, and unlawful for [BC] to issue permits at this point"—Save Record Ridge Action Committee
SRRAC Submits Expert Evidence on Asbestos and Other Dust from Record Ridge Mine, Calls for Permitting Halt
October 14, 2025ROSSLAND, B.C. — The Save Record Ridge Action Committee (SRRAC) submitted additional expert evidence regarding the proposed Record Ridge mine to the B.C. government last week. The perm...
www.saverecordridge.ca
October 22, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Two more leading experts have expressed concern regarding Record Ridge mine, warning of toxic metals & asbestos that may impact nearby communities and wildlife.
"It would be unreasonable, procedurally unfair, and unlawful for [BC] to issue permits at this point"—Save Record Ridge Action Committee
"It would be unreasonable, procedurally unfair, and unlawful for [BC] to issue permits at this point"—Save Record Ridge Action Committee
New Staff Picks – documentary edition! Swipe for #naturedocumentary recs to watch and keep cozy this Fall 🍂
◉ Wild Pacific (BBC Earth, 2009)
◉ Baraka (1992)
◉ My Octopus Teacher (Netflix, 2020)
◉ Wild Pacific (BBC Earth, 2009)
◉ Baraka (1992)
◉ My Octopus Teacher (Netflix, 2020)
October 22, 2025 at 9:51 PM
New Staff Picks – documentary edition! Swipe for #naturedocumentary recs to watch and keep cozy this Fall 🍂
◉ Wild Pacific (BBC Earth, 2009)
◉ Baraka (1992)
◉ My Octopus Teacher (Netflix, 2020)
◉ Wild Pacific (BBC Earth, 2009)
◉ Baraka (1992)
◉ My Octopus Teacher (Netflix, 2020)
Smith seems determined to force Carney’s government to make the same mistake [as Northern Gateway] all over again by rushing a project to approval before properly consulting with the same Indigenous nations the Harper government tried to steamroll more than a decade ago." #IndigenousSovereignty
Alberta is forgetting the hard-won lessons of Northern Gateway
If Danielle Smith wants to build another pipeline across British Columbia, she might want to spend some time actually trying to understand what makes it tick first.
www.nationalobserver.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Smith seems determined to force Carney’s government to make the same mistake [as Northern Gateway] all over again by rushing a project to approval before properly consulting with the same Indigenous nations the Harper government tried to steamroll more than a decade ago." #IndigenousSovereignty
Projects grounded in Indigenous consent are far likelier to prosper than those with opposition, and far likelier to include long-term planning that maintains the life systems that support us all. Read our op-ed with @davidsuzukifdn.bsky.social @environmentaldefence.ca @naturecanada.bsky.social 👇
Indigenous consent isn’t a veto: it’s how durable, co-governed projects get built
Canada’s leaders are gutting safeguards and sidelining Indigenous rights. Calling it “prosperity” is a lie – real prosperity starts with consent, truth and protecting the lands and waters we all depen...
davidsuzuki.org
October 20, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Projects grounded in Indigenous consent are far likelier to prosper than those with opposition, and far likelier to include long-term planning that maintains the life systems that support us all. Read our op-ed with @davidsuzukifdn.bsky.social @environmentaldefence.ca @naturecanada.bsky.social 👇