In November 2023, the BC Government released the Draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework. The Framework is intended to provide strategic direction for the co-development of a new biodiversity and ecosystem health law with First Nations.
West Coast Environmental Law welcomes BC’s commitment to co-develop this legislation and legally establish biodiversity and ecosystem health as an "overarching priority" across all sectors. However, we note that immediate actions are required to halt and reverse nature loss in BC and to recognize and support Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas.
These submissions summarize West Coast's analysis and recommendations with regard to BC's Draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework – including strengths of the Framework, gaps and considerations moving forward.