Climate and Energy

Today, November 7, 2011, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) announced that Taseko Mine Ltd.’s gold and copper mine proposal, New Prosperity, will undergo a federal environmental assessment.

In its Throne Speech (on Monday, February 12^th, 2013), the BC government unveiled its promise for a Prosperity Fund – a fund that promises to channel revenues from natural gas exports to a designated fund to benefit future British Columbians.

In 2013 Typhoon Haiyan smashed into the Philippines, killing at least 6,300 people, and displacing an estimated 4 million people.  Viewed as a natural disaster, it was tragic. But given what we know about the impact of climate change on the intensity of tropical storms, should it be viewed purely as a natural disaster? Or should some human responsibility be assigned?

We will soon see whether the federal government's officials are really listening to people in BC in their review of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines and tankers project.

The 10th annual Paddle for the Peace was the most emotional I've witnessed since joining the annual solidarity float down northeast BC’s majestic Peace River in protest of the proposed Site C dam.

On June 5th Organizing for Change, a coalition made up of West Coast Environmental Law and 11 other leading environmental organizations, wrote to Premier Christy Clark to thank her for asking, on behalf of British Columbians, that the National Energy Board Joint Review Panel (JRP) recommend against approving the Enbridge pipelines and tankers project.  Lisa Matthaus, representing all 12 coalition members, wrote:

Last week’s events should have sounded some alarm bells for people wondering how the BC government regulates the oil and gas industry in Northeastern BC. 

New documents reveal that the Canadian oil company Imperial Oil knew in the 1970s or earlier that burning fossil fuels caused climate change. Similar documents in the U.S. have put Imperial’s parent company, Exxon Mobil, on the defensive, with multiple government investigations launched against the multi-national oil and gas cartel.

Recently we witnessed a major legal victory for First Nations opposing the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipelines and tankers proposal, as well as all the communities, groups and individuals supporting them. After nearly two years of litigation, the Federal Court of Appeal overturned the federal Cabinet’s approval of Northern Gateway on the grounds that Canada failed to discharge its duty to consult and accommodate. West Coast acted as legal counsel for two of the eight First Nations challenging the Enbridge approval in Court.