In response to CleanBC details in Budget 2019, Georgia Strait Alliance’s Community Organizer Anna Barford, said: “We were very glad to see that this budget supports the measures outlined in CleanBC to reach 75 percent of our pre-Paris 2030 target. This budget includes funded measures that are very exciting, including: investments that support transitioning Indigenous and remote, communities from using diesel, expansion…
Read more »Press Category: Environmental policy & regulation
B.C. climate plan offers new climate accountability actions
Climate oversight a game-changer in keeping B.C. on track, say environmental groups
A group of environmental organizations is highlighting the critical, new role given to the Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council under the CleanBC plan, providing improved governance and better oversight of British Columbia’s new climate action plan. If implemented, this will be the first time that an advisory council is mandated under the Climate Change Accountability Act. Ecojustice, Georgia Strait…
Read more »Georgia Strait Alliance reacts to Province’s Climate Plan
The Plan includes stronger governance on climate accountability
Today, the Province of BC unveiled its most robust plan ever to tackle climate change, incorporated into a Clean BC Plan. The strategy includes fully funded commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across multiple sectors and, notably, it includes legislation for climate accountability. The plan supports and makes mandatory for the provincial government to achieve 75 percent of the pre-Paris…
Read more »Conservation groups take ministers to court to protect endangered killer whales
Six conservation organizations are launching a new lawsuit aimed at protecting endangered Southern Resident killer whales. The suit comes less than a month after a killer whale mother carried her deceased calf for an unprecedented 17 days, drawing worldwide attention to the imminent threats facing the genetically unique population of whales. Ecojustice lawyers asked the Federal Court to review the…
Read more »Conservation organizations respond to Province’s fish farm announcement
It's too long for wild salmon
Vancouver, B.C.—In response to the B.C. government’s announcement this week to introduce new rules for renewing fish farm leases beginning in 2022, conservation groups Georgia Strait Alliance, Watershed Watch and Living Oceans have issued the following statement: “Yesterday’s policy announcement by the Province is a significant step towards defending wild salmon against the threats posed by open net-pen salmon farms.…
Read more »Groups applaud feds’ fisheries announcement
Renew call for killer whale emergency order
Conservation groups are applauding today’s announcement from Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Dominic LeBlanc and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna that endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales face “imminent threats” to their survival and recovery. Prompted by this assessment, the Ministers also announced immediate fisheries closures in key Southern Resident foraging areas. Faced with declining populations of Chinook…
Read more »Community-business-Indigenous leaders launch ‘Declaration in Defence of Wild Salmon’
Asks BC-ers to support removal of open net-pen fish farms
Today in Vancouver, a diverse group of B.C. community, Indigenous, and business leaders announced the launch of the “Declaration in Defence of Wild Salmon”. The declaration seeks to draw together the growing number of voices calling on the B.C. government to take action on salmon farming by refusing to renew fish farm leases when they expire in June, 2018. The…
Read more »Conservation groups put ministers on notice over Southern Resident killer whale protections
Without action, extinction is near
VANCOUVER – Conservation groups are putting Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Dominic LeBlanc on notice as the groups race to secure protection for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. In an April 4 letter sent on behalf of David Suzuki Foundation, Georgia Strait Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, Raincoast Conservation Foundation and…
Read more »Washington State Phases Out Salmon Farms
BC Groups congratulate Governor Inslee on signing the bill into law today
VANCOUVER: BC groups hailed the move by Washington State today to phase out salmon farming in State waters at the conclusion of current leases. The Bill, passed by both houses of government, was signed into law by Governor Inslee this morning. “It was a victory for the precautionary principle,” said Stan Proboszcz of Watershed Watch Salmon Society. “There are just…
Read more »Georgia Strait Alliance releases first-ever State of the Waterfront Report for Vancouver
There is a significant gap in the city’s waterfront planning
Vancouver, BC — Vancouver’s waterfront, which spans from saltwater in Burrard Inlet to freshwater in the Fraser River, is showing the stresses of a shoreline that lacks a comprehensive approach to considering the sustainability and accessibility of waterfront areas throughout the city. Georgia Strait Alliance, a regional marine conservation non-profit, has measured and tracked five key trends that demonstrate the…
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