Late last night in Ottawa the Senate passed a federal budget that seriously weakens environmental assessment in Canada. West Coast has been in the lead of a nationwide campaign to oppose this assault on one of the country's most important environmental laws. Following our testimony before the Senate Finance Committee last week, these harmful sections from the budget were cut, but the full Senate has now approved them by a narrow vote. Now our attention turns to the fall's Parliamentary review of environmental assessment laws, and we will be pressing MPs to reverse these changes, and to improve the law by ensuring that climate change is a key factor that government must consider in making decisions.
West Coast Environmental Law has been actively calling on all federal political parties for a legislated ban on crude oil tankers to protect the coast from oil spills. In June, Canada got closer to achieving that goal when the Liberal Party of Canada announced its intention to enact a legislated ban on the Pacific North coast – joining the NDP and the Green Party in this commitment. With a Liberal commitment, there could be enough support among all opposition majority parties in Parliament to make this happen soon.
- Read the full story here.
West Coast Environmental Law is pleased to report a successful outcome from our multi-month participation on the Reference Panel advising Metro Vancouver on liquid waste policy. We are proud to have played a key role in pressing Metro to develop a precedent-setting Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management Plan that will finally address the sewage, storm water and increasing complex array of toxics that the region discharges into the ocean.
- Read the full story here.
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| Grants Will Hold Proposed Mines to High Standards
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West Coast has given a series grants, last month and in May, to groups concerned (among other issues) about the environmental impacts of mining projects. From demanding environmental assessments of coal mines and quarries, to examining options to challenge plans to turn fish habitat into mine tailings ponds, to negotiating protection for caribou from mining, West Coast Environmental Law is glad to be able to help hold the BC Government and the mining industry to a high environmental standard.
- Read about June's Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund grants here.
- Read about May's Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund grants here.
West Coast is very pleased to welcome Deborah Carlson, who joins our team as Staff Counsel and will work on the Green Communities and Climate Change programs.
- Read Deborah's full bio here.
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