Forests for Future Generations
Old growth forests are valuable to BC’s ecological and economic health and vital in the fight against climate change. However, standards to protect these important resources vary across the province and, in many areas, are inadequate. On behalf of Sierra >
Private Forest Rules Betray Nature
With contributions from Emily Benoit, ELC Clinic (Fall 2018), Coop student (Spring 2019) Current rules for managing private forest land in BC fail to protect the province’s streams, fish, wildlife and other natural values. If not managed responsibly, logging activities >
Check-up Report: Stormwater Management in the Capital Region
Much of the infrastructure that deals with stormwater in the Capital Regional District (CRD) is in urgent need of upgrading, a problem that was highlighted in 2017 when Victoria’s annual Gorge Swimfest was cancelled caused by cross contamination of sewer >
Federal government action and climate change
The ELC has developed a comprehensive overview that identifies how Canada provides billions of dollars in subsidies each year to the fossil fuel industry. “Despite Canada having committed to the Paris Agreement, it is still subsidizing the fossil fuel industry >
Participant funding for groups involved in Environmental Assessments
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 >
100% Renewable Energy Tools for Local Governments
Climate change threats are spurring a global movement for communities to shift away from using fossil fuels. Local governments are committing to a 100% renewable energy by 2050 target as one way to comprehensively make that shift. An ELC report >
Launching the BC Mining Law Reform Platform
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, >
Research-a-thon 2019: Getting Current with the Current
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 >
ELC Associates assess BC’s new Environmental Assessment Act
Environmental assessments will be different and have the potential to be better under BC’s new Environmental Assessment Act (EA Act), according to lawyer and ELC Fellow Karen Campbell. Karen provided her assessment of the new EA Act as part of >
The case for community-based water monitoring
A new ELC report explores how community-based monitoring (CBM) can be used to make decisions about watersheds, which can transform the way we understand and apply water law. It may also help us to become more proactive to water needs. >