May 14, 2012

New mining operations cause many concerns for local communities. While the operations bring the promise of jobs and economic growth, mining can also bring many negative impacts, such as noise, dust and air pollution, water contamination, environmental damage, and health impacts. Living in close proximity to coal mines has been linked to serious health problems such as chronic lung disease, kidney disease, and hypertension. Acid mine drainage can endanger local aquatic species (such as shellfish) and the local industries that rely on them, even long after a mine has closed.

The good news is: local governments are not powerless. Though the jurisdiction to approve and regulate mines lies with the province, there are many other ways in which local governments can act to minimize the potentially harmful side-effects of such operations. In a new paper, Mitigating Community Impacts of Mining Operations: Options for Local Government, the ELC (on behalf of Coalwatch Comox Valley) analyzes the jurisdiction of local governments, and sets out a menu of options for communities to consider in deciding how best to protect themselves from mining impacts.

[Download the PDF report]

ELC Articling Student Positions for 2013

April 16, 2012

The deadline to apply for 2013 Articles with the ELC was Monday, April 30, 2012. Thank you to all applicants for taking the time to apply.

ELC Executive Director Makes Submission on a Cosmetic Pesticide Ban to Legislative Committee

November 8, 2011

Chris Tollefson, ELC Executive Director and Hakai Chair in Environmental Law and Sustainability, spoke to the Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides about the legal context for cosmetic pesticide law reform, addressed the precautionary principle and the need to take regulatory precaution seriously, and the ELC's February 2010 written submissions and model bill. "We should have a regime that allows for local governments to set the bar higher or establish different requirements, as long as there is not a direct conflict with the provincial law," he submitted. Read the full Hansard transcript here.

Environmental Laws: A Field Guide for BC's North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii

May 25, 2011

In collaboration with the Coastal Guardian Watchmen Network, a project of the Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative, the ELC has developed a tool to help First Nations better protect the environment in their territories. This field guide summarizes techniques that First Nations Guardian Watchmen (environmental monitors) can use to investigate environmental offences and the major environmental offences that apply on Haida Gwaii and the North/Central coast More...

Enhancing Environmental Oversight by BC Tribunals

March 16, 2011

While most BC tribunals are mindful of the public interest in environmental decision making, a new report by the ELC shows there is considerable room for improvement in tribunal mandates and their use of dispute resolution tools. More...

New $2.75 million to expand ELC Operations

Feb 22, 2011

Thanks to $2.75 million in new funding from the Tula Foundation, the ELC is poised to expand its program and consolidate its vision of inspiring and training the next generation of Canada’s public interest environmental lawyers by giving them the opportunity to advocate for the environment as a core part of their law school experience. More...

Problems with BC Mining Regulations

February 10, 2011 (updated June 8, 2011)

On February 9 an event was held at UVic Law about the social and environmental impacts of coal mining in BC. To see ELC student Maya Stano's presentation "Undermining the Value of Clean Air and Water" and learn how taxpayers are financially vulnerable for costly cleanups of coal mining operations, click here for the PPTX version or here for the PDF version. MAY 2011 UPDATE: Maya finalized her research on the inadequacy of mine securities required by government and government capability to actually enforce its environmental laws. Click here to read the report.

Call to Investigate Health and Safety Risks Posed by Natural Gas Wells

February 8, 2011

A growing number of residents in northeast British Columbia are so concerned about the health risks associated with the region’s natural gas industry and an sour gas wells they asked provincial Health Minister Colin Hansen in a letter sent today to appoint a formal inquiry under Public Health Act. The letter was written on behalf of Peace Environment and Safety Trustees Society (PEST) by ELC alumnus Tim Thielmann of Devlin Gailus and ELC Legal Director Calvin Sandborn with assistance from ELC students. Read the media release. Read the letter, appendices, and letters of support. MEDIA: Read articles in the Vancouver Sun (Stephen Hume and Ben Parfitt) and Globe and Mail (Mark Hume).