Indigenous laws in action
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
Donate today! Dear Paov,
There’s never a dull moment when it comes to our legal work for the planet. We at West Coast are feeling especially inspired by Indigenous partners across the province who are revitalizing their laws to take care of their lands, waters and wildlife. From Taku River Tlingit territories to the newly-announced nʔaysnúlaʔxʷ (Ashnola) Indigenous Protected & Conserved Area
(IPCA), we are honoured to help share their stories.
Other issues are bubbling up in the world of marine protection as cruise ships roar back to life along the BC coast, and as we ride the wave of renewed momentum for a coastal marine strategy and law.
Read more from our environmental law experts below!
Taku River Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN) has released a video sharing some of the work they have been doing over the past five years with our RELAW (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air & Water) program. The video sheds light on TRTFN’s healing journey of reinvigorating how Tlingit law is lived, taught, learned, and used every day. Check it out! Cruise ships are back, but how much pollution are they bringing with them?
After a two-year hiatus, cruise ships are back in action and leaving trails of waste in the ocean along the west coast. Transport Canada’s new measures tackling cruise ship pollution are a welcome step, but serious concerns remain because they’re voluntary and they don't address scrubber washwater – the biggest source of pollution. Staff Lawyer Michael Bissonnette explains. Sea level rise? Coastal pollution? Declining salmon populations?
There’s a solution for that. A coastal marine strategy and law, co-designed with Indigenous nations, can finally unite the multiple laws and jurisdictions overseeing the BC coast, and ensure that marine life and coastal communities get the future they deserve. Watch this short video to learn more.West Coast and CPAWS-BC have been working for years to make a blueprint for the coast a reality, and we’ve been buoyed by the progress. The Alberta Court of Appeal gets it wrong — again
The Alberta Court of Appeal issued a scathing, but non-binding, opinion that the Impact Assessment Act is unconstitutional. This matters because the Act is a smart decision-making tool for federal authorities to assess potential impacts of projects that might harm the environment – a tool that’s more critical than ever in the age of the twin climate and biodiversity crises.We disagree with this ruling and we're confident that the Supreme Court of Canada will, too. Staff Lawyer Anna Johnston explains why in this joint op-ed published in the National Observer. You're invited! Join us for the virtual launch of the Sue Big Oil campaign
Global oil and gas corporations have known for decades that burning fossil fuels would lead to climate change and the devastating extreme weather we're now seeing across BC. It's time to make these fossil majors pay a fair share of the climate damages that BC taxpayers are currently on the hook for – let's take Big Oil to the courts.This hour-long conversation hosted by journalist Avi Lewis with legal experts, campaigners, and climate-impacted people will cover the basics of this bold legal strategy, and give you the tools you need to get involved in your community. Please join us on June 15th! RSVP here. Welcome West Coast Students and Interns!
Every summer, we look forward to welcoming a cohort of bright summer students and interns to West Coast and the fresh energy it brings to the team.First, say hello to RELAW Communications Intern Summer Tyance. Read about Summer Law Students Kaymi Yoon-Maxwell, Brittany Scott, Jade DeFehr, and Memegwans Johnson-Owl. And finally, meet visiting UBC Sustainability Scholars Audrey Irvine-Broque and Jessica Mukiri.
Hiring: Donor Relations Coordinator
The Donor Relations Coordinator works with our small but dynamic Development team to engage donors who make what we do possible. This is an entry-level role with opportunities to grow, so if you’re passionate about the environment and want to start your career in fundraising, see the job posting here! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
West Coast depends on the support of donors like you to help us continue to improve our RELAW, Marine and other programs. A small monthly gift of just $5 goes a long way. Please consider taking your support to the next level by becoming a West Coast Protector today.