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 >
A report prepared by the BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council and the UVic Environmental Law Centre that calls upon provincial and federal governments to collaborate with Nations and Guardians to establish a Guardian Network Initiative across the province >
Before the global pandemic shifted focus, what are viewed as “protests” under Canadian law but are the exercise of Indigenous jurisdiction and responsibilities were gaining momentum with multiple blockades and other acts of protest across the country in support of >
The provincial government enacted the new Environmental Assessment Act in November 2018, and it is currently developing regulations and policies before the bill comes into force. The ELC is collaborating with West Coast Environmental Law and other environmental groups to >
BC is revitalizing its environmental assessment regime with the aim of enhancing public confidence, transparency and meaningful participation. The ELC has prepared a briefing note that recommends the new environmental assessment regime include a participant funding program. Public participation improves >
Although mining has significant and ongoing impacts on communities, it is the only resource industry in BC that has not had a comprehensive legal review from a public interest perspective. The ELC has long worked on mining law reform projects, >
At 9am on Friday, February 8, snow was falling thick and fast in Victoria. On a day when no regular classes were scheduled at the Faculty of Law, many people may have been tempted to stay at home. But weather >
More than 50 law students put their heads together earlier this month to help unearth BC’s mining legislative history. Dubbed, Mining Law in BC – Digging up a Dirty History, the event’s gleanings will help inform mining law reform efforts. >
Back in August, the ELC filed an application for a Drinking Water Hazard Prevention Order with the Regional Drinking Water Officer, in an attempt to stop the Ajax Mine in Kamloops. The application included advice from a hydrogeologist that the >
One of the most compelling ELC Associates’ discussions (link to the Associates Program page on our website) this year explored BC’s marine spills response regime. Unfortunately, there was a recent incident to examine: the Nathan E. Stewart tugboat, which spilled >