This infographic explains why Canada's marine protected areas (MPAs) need updated and stronger legal protections.
Publications
Browse our recent publications, including reports, briefs, submissions to government, and other materials.
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This submission contains West Coast Environmental Law’s comments on the BC government’s 2018 Policy Intentions Paper on spill preparedness and response in BC.
Publication Date: April 2018
Every year, Canadians remove over 100,000 kilograms of trash that accumulates on shorelines. But clean-ups don’t address the root problem of plastics reduction – Canada needs binding legal solutions to prevent and mitigate plastic pollution.
Publication Date: March 2018
For thousands of years, the Indigenous peoples of the place now known as British Columbia have protected and managed the lands and waters of their territories.
Publication Date: March 2018
Pages: 8
As part of a broader suite of environmental law reforms, (including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, National Energy Board Act, and Navigation Protection Act) the Fisheries Act has been under review since 2016.
Publication Date: February 2018
Pages: 16
WCELA Submission on Bill C-55, An Act to amend the Oceans Act and the Canada Petroleum Resources Act
West Coast Environmental Law Association was invited to appear as a witness before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans to provide testimony on Bill C-55, An Act to amend the Oceans Act and the Canada Petroleum Resources Act.
Publication Date: November 2017
Pages: 28
In June 2017, the federal government tabled Bill C-55, proposing changes to Canada’s Oceans Act. Unfortunately, Bill C-55 does not go far enough in providing effective protection for marine protected areas (MPAs) under the Act.
Publication Date: November 2017
Pages: 2
In May 2017, Canada's federal government introduced Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act.
Publication Date: October 2017
Pages: 2
In June 2017, over 80 stakeholders from across the country working in government, academia, industry, and the non-profit sector came together in Ottawa for the Oceans20: Canada's Oceans Act Workshop.
Publication Date: October 2017
Pages: 51
Canada’s Oceans Act is 20 years old, yet its full implementation has yet to be realized. To meet the increasing challenges facing our oceans, leaders and practitioners came together in June 2017 at the Oceans20 workshop in Ottawa to chart a path to:
Publication Date: October 2017
Pages: 2