In March the West Moberly First Nation won a precedent setting victory in the BC Supreme Court for the threatened Burnt Pine caribou herd – putting the brakes on a coal mine being developed in the herd’s critical habitat.  This court challenge was funded in part through West Coast Environmental Law’s Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund and argued by the law

The Cohen Commission – appointed to investigate the collapse of the Fraser River sockeye runs – started its first hearings on Tuesday (June 15th), with submissions from participants on what topics it should be investigating.  There’s been some coverage in the media, from general controversy over how the Commission is handling itself to

• cohen commission
• fraser river
• other issues
• sockeye

On May 29th, 2010 the Haisla and Gitga’at First Nations held the Solidarity of Nations Gathering in Kitamaat Village to reaffirm their opposition of the Coastal First Nations to the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline.  West Coast Environmental Law was formally invited to witness and to participate in the event in recognition of our work to support Coastal First Nations in their efforts to stop oil tankers in their wa

Imagine criticizing a development or asking for changes to a law and getting sued by a large corporation with high priced lawyers and deep pockets.  Even if you did absolutely nothing wrong, fighting the lawsuit could bankrupt you.  Sound intimidating?  That’s the point of lawsuits intended to silence public debate – known by the acronym SLAPPs, or Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.