The economic case for suing Big Oil
By Andrew Gage What is a local government to do when it has a “funding gap” that will expose its residents to climate impacts and prevent it from meeting its climate goals? That’s the question that staff at the District of Saanich dealt with as they wrote up their fifth Annual Climate Plan Report Card. […]
Slocan Council votes unanimously to join Sue Big Oil
For Immediate Release – February 14, 2024 Slocan, BC – On Monday evening (Feb. 12), Slocan Council voted 5-0 to work with other local governments towards a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies for a share of the costs of climate change, and to pledge $1 per resident for that purpose once other […]
Eco-lawyers applaud Saanich vote to explore climate lawsuit
For Immediate Release – February 13, 2024 Saanich, BC (Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories) – In response to last night’s unanimous vote by Saanich Council to direct staff to explore collaboration with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies, Andrew Gage, Staff Lawyer, stated: We applaud Saanich taking a […]
Qualicum Beach is fourth local government to vote to Sue Big Oil
For Immediate Release – February 8, 2024 Qualicum Beach, BC – The Township of Qualicum Beach Council voted yesterday, 4-1, to commit to work with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies to recover a fair share of the township’s climate costs. Qualicum Beach’s commitment is contingent upon […]
Squamish votes 5-2 to support Sue Big Oil lawsuit
For Immediate Release – October 24, 2023 SQUAMISH, BC, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw – The District of Squamish will be the third BC local government to support a class action lawsuit against fossil fuel companies after Council, sitting as Committee of the Whole, voted 5-2 to set aside funds in the 2025 budget for this purpose. West […]
View Royal votes to Sue Big Oil for a share of climate costs
For Immediate Release – June 7, 2023 VIEW ROYAL, BC – At its Town Council meeting on Tuesday night, June 6th, View Royal Council voted to work with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies for a share of municipal climate change costs. Council agreed to set aside […]
Why US climate lawsuits against Big Oil matter in Canada
By Andrew Gage The past few weeks have seen a couple of important developments in the U.S. court cases brought against fossil fuel companies for the costs of climate change. First, on May 15th and April 24th, the U.S. Supreme Court refused applications by fossil fuel companies to halt climate lawsuits filed against them by […]
Party like there’s no tomorrow, so that we can have one
By Andrew Gage In February I went to a party. A first-of-its-kind party, called a “Sue Big Oil House Party.” The youth organization Shake Up the Establishment and West Coast Environmental Law had come up with unique games and activities to get people laughing and talking about climate change. Dozens of people came out to […]
Why Vancouver City Council should Sue Big Oil: Our presentation to Council
March 2, 2023 West Coast Environmental Law gave a presentation to Vancouver City Council this week regarding the City’s 2023 draft operational budget, urging Council to include the climate lawsuit in the budget as per Council’s July 2022 commitment to do so. See our presentation to Council (below). Unfortunately, Council voted that evening to pass […]
Gibsons votes to support Sue Big Oil: here’s how your town can too
On March 7, 2023 the Town of Gibsons Council heard from a delegation of its residents who are concerned about the costs of climate change. Dawn Allen and Alaya Boisvert, supported by friends and neighbours, spoke passionately about the ways that climate change is already harming Gibsons. They pointed out that the community cannot afford […]
