Updated Field Guide for Indigenous Guardians
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 >
Sunshine Coast Green Bylaws Workshop
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 >
First ELC Clinics in Bhutan and Thailand
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 >
Using Private Prosecutions as a Tool to Defend the Environment
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 >
Protecting Oceans and Waterways from Cigarette Butt Waste
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. Fewer people seem to smoke in recent years, >
Mining Law Reform: Exploring Transition Minerals
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 >
Update on Elk Valley and Cross-Border Coal Mine Pollution
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 >
Ghost Gear: An Ocean of Plastic Trouble
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 >
Gas Control: Closing Gaps in How We Manage Common Appliances with GHG Gases
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 >
Protecting Indigenous Cultural Heritage
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 >