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Enbridge Northern Pipeline Publication Released.
West Coast releases new publications on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project, discussing what the Enbridge tarsands pipeline means for BC.
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IPP Q&A
West Coast is concerned that in the current debate around independent power producer projects, or IPPs, there is more heat being generated than light. To that end, West Coast is pleased to release a backgrounder that addresses the most Frequently Asked Questions about these controversial projects. [Read our Backgrounder] |
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West Coast’s new Pesticides and You booklets
Most of us take it for granted that we won’t be directly exposed to toxic pesticides without our permission. West Coast’s new Pesticides and You booklets are resources for two groups that may not feel that they can complain about being exposed to pesticides: farm workers and tenants.
There are three booklets in the series (the first two are available in English, Spanish and Punjabi):
- Pesticides and your Health – Intended to be read alongside one or both of the other booklets, this booklet introduces the reader to the human health risks of pesticide exposure and basic precautions that can be taken to avoid pesticide-related health problems; [Available in English, Punjabi and Spanish.]
- Pesticides on the Farm – This booklet outlines both legal and non-legal options available to farm workers to ensure that they are protected from pesticide exposure through their work; [Available in English, Punjabi and Spanish.]
- Pesticides in your Home – This booklet gives practical and legal options for a tenant whose landlord is (or may) apply pesticides in or near the tenant’s home.[Available in English.]
All three booklets emphasize practical solutions that tenants and farm workers can carry out on their own, as well as discussing the legal options and the challenges that they pose. West Coast hopes that these booklets will be an important resource for farm workers, tenants and people working with those groups.The Pesticides and You Series are possible through the generous support of the Notary Foundation and CNC Repair and Sales Inc.
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West Coast Environmental Law is in the news. See our Vancouver Sun editorial where we call on the BC government to embark on an energy planning process to address concerns about IPP development. [Read the Article (Vancouver Sun)]
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Earlier this month, the BC government announced a moratorium on coalbed methane development in the Sacred Headwaters. Today, a coalition of citizens’ groups launched a website - www.concernedaboutcbm.org - and province-wide campaign around a five-point action plan they say could end the current stalemate on future CBM development. [Read the Press Release]
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Environmental Groups Praise Landmark Step Towards Responsible Coalbed Methane Development West Coast and other environmental groups praise "landmark step" towards responsible coalbed methane development.: [Read the Press Release]
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The BC government is proposing to implement a mandatory greenhouse gas emissions reporting regulation in BC under the “cap and trade” legislation . The government released an Intentions Paper for comments, that set out its current thinking and questions as it starts to prepare the regulation. West Coast, along with the Pembina Institute, the David Suzuki Foundation and the BC Sustainable Association filed a joint submission on the proposed regulation. [Read our full submission]
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The BC government is proposing to implement vehicle greenhouse gas emissions reduction standards in BC, once they are also implemented in California. The government released an Intentions Paper for comments, that set out its current thinking and questions as it starts to prepare the regulation. While West Coast congratulates the BC government for its initiative in taking action to regulate vehicle GHG emissions like this, there a number of areas which need to be strengthened to make the Act truly effective, including public accessibility. Read our full comments
[here] |
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West Coast Environmental Law Calls on Federal Candidates to Take a Stand on Oil Tanker Traffic. In the run-up to the federal election, West Coast Environmental Law calls on the federal candidates in BC to take a position on proposals to allow crude oil tanker traffic on BC’s North Central Coast.
[more] |
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Working for environmental law reform by providing critical information to the decision-makers of tomorrow - our youth. At a youth conference that West Coast and its partners held in April 2008 in Prince Rupert, 18 youths from six coastal communities were exposed to legal and scientific presentations concerning the environmental impacts of crude oil tanker traffic and other industrial development in northwest BC. The youths then made videos about these issues with the assistance of Reel Youth, a Vancouver film company. These videos can now be viewed on Reel Youth’s website.
[more] |
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New poll shows seven in ten BC residents support a tanker ban: A new poll supports West Coast's efforts to secure legislated ban on oil tankers on BC's north and central coast.
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Legislation Introduced to Ban Oil Tanker Traffic from the Great Bear Rainforest’s Coastal Waters West Coast applauds legislation recently introduced in Parliament that will protect the province’s North Central Coast from the threats associated with crude oil tanker traffic.
[more] |
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West Coast funds constitutional challenge of fish farms. A coalition of farm activists, fishermen and tourism operators file a constitutional challenge of B.C.'S fish farming practices, the first challenge of its kind. Read more [more] |
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The BC Government's new global warming legislation, which is aimed at
vehicle fuel content and fuel efficiency, will be undermined by its
decision to push ahead with the twinning of the Port Mann bridge,
cautions West Coast Environmental Law. [more] |
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West Coast has been working for a legislated oil tanker moratorium on BC’s central and north coast for several years. Recently, Canadian icon, Robert Bateman, spoke out on this issue in a powerful video. [Watch the video] |
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West Coast supports the proposed B.C. carbon tax. West Coast, along with several other environmental
organizations, support the B.C. Government's proposed introduction of a carbon
tax. [more] |
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Youth conference in Northwest B.C. helps to educate youth
about global warming and the environmental impact of tar sands and oil
tanker traffic. [more] |
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Budget 2008 Meets Key Tests on Climate
Commitments. Major BC environmental
groups today welcomed the 2008 budget that will put BC firmly on the path to
achieve bold commitments set out in the 2007 Throne Speech. Of the key areas in
which environmentalists were looking for clear action, three were
given strong grades. The remaining climate-related area – cross-budget
consistency – remains a concern, with ongoing subsidies to the carbon-emitting
oil and gas sector and massive capital investments in new highways. Also of
concern is the lack of new funds for biodiversity preservation and management.
[more] |
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West Coast Environmental Law is the grateful recipient of a $25,000 grant from the Vancouver Foundation, to support
West Coast's efforts to provide timely and strategic information to coastal communities which stand to be impacted by proposed oil tanker traffic off BC's north coast.
[more] |
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West Coast Environmental Law works with Squamish to implement Smart Growth on the Ground. Squamish approves use of new Smart Growth Evaluation Framework in its development application process.
[more] |
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West Coast Environmental Law is in the news. See
our
Vancouver Sun editorial where we urge British Columbians to have a frank discussion about how to cut our greenhouse gases.
[more] |
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The impending privatization of BCE means that
shareholders will be forced to sell their BCE stock, and those
sales will be subject to capital gains tax. You may wish to consider donating those
shares to West Coast Environmental Law, and realize a
considerable capital gains tax savings and a charitable tax
receipt...
[more] |
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A new report by West Coast Environmental Law reveals the drastic decline in enforcement of BC’s environmental laws.
No Response, a review of the BC Ministry of Environment’s enforcement actions, demonstrates that between 1995 and 2005, enforcement actions taken by the Conservation Officer Service (COS) plummeted by more than half. The report is based on data from the COS as well as interviews with Ministry staff.
[more] |
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Unprecedented Health Act order blocks logging on Sunshine Coast. In a historic move for local
governments, the Sunshine Coast Regional District has become the first local government in BC to restrict logging under a
Health Act provision. We are delighted to have been able to help the people of the Sunshine Coast achieve this major victory.
[more] |
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West Coast Environmental Law questions plans
to build an LNG terminal on Texada Island. Westpac LNG
Corporation's proposal, announced today, would require LNG
tankers to navigate through heavily used waters and past
populated areas. .
[more] |
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BC Wildlife Act review puts teenage hunters ahead of Wildlife Protection.
The BC government is currently considering the first major overhaul to the BC Wildlife Act in twenty-five years. The review of the Wildlife Act, which regulates both the hunting and protection of wildlife, which the public was able to comment on until June 30th, is remarkable in that it makes no specific recommendations about protecting wildlife habitat, and endangered species, but makes four recommendations aimed at making it easier for teenagers to take up hunting for the first time.
[more] |
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Pesticides and the Law: New Tool Available to the Public.
Triggered by increasing public concern over the hazards of pesticides and recent changes in the laws controlling their use, West Coast Environmental Law has just released
A Citizen's Guide to Pesticide Use and the Law in BC.
[more] |
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Local governments leading the way to "green design" in BC.
Municipal and regional governments are leading the change toward environmentally-friendly community planning and design, according to a new report by West Coast Environmental Law.
[more] |
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Canada risks
further international embarrassment on global warming.
West Coast Environmental Law is calling on Canada to meet, at a
minimum, the European Union's recent standards with clear
targets backed by strong legislation.
[more] |
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Lawyers say
BC emissions targets need force of law.
In a letter to the Premier sent today, a trio of BC
environmental law organizations urge the provincial government
to give its emissions reductions targets the force of law.
[more] |
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West Coast Environmental Law is the recipient of a $20,000 Capacity Grant from Vancity. Vancity's
support will enable us to undertake some needed capacity
building to diversify West Coast's revenue, helping to ensure
long-term financial stability for our critical work.
[more] |
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West Coast wants to reach out to
local governments to help them make decisions that will result
in more green buildings in communities around BC. To
this end, West Coast has published the
Green Buildings Guide
(PDF 990 Kb), which provides a central resource to the suite of regulatory and
policy tools currently available to BC local governments to support
and promote green building design and practices.
[more] |
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West Coast provides municipalities
with tools to deal with air pollution. The
Clean Air Bylaws
Guide [PDF 3Mb] illustrates the extent of local bylaw powers, and
demonstrates how bylaws can supplement the provincial
legislation, promoting best practices and model clean air
bylaws. |
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West Coast helps
local governments take a proactive approach to address the risks
of coal bed methane projects in their communities.
Coal Bed Methane: A Local
Government Guide [PDF 900 Kb] looks at the negative
impacts of coal bed methane in the US and Alberta and advises
regional districts and municipalities on the legal tools that
are available to them to minimize the adverse consequences of
coal bed methane development in their areas.
[more] |
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Despite 34-year
Old Tanker Moratorium, Tankers Dock in Kitimat after Passing
Through BC's Inside Passage. Oil tankers are being allowed
to secretly enter BC's fragile inside waters despite widespread
public opposition and a 34-year old federal moratorium on
offshore oil and gas activities, which includes oil tanker
traffic.
[more] |
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