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 […]
Vancouver council bills taxpayers, not oil companies, for climate-fuelled storms and rising sea levels
Last July, the city of Vancouver pledged $1 per resident to bring a class-action lawsuit against the largest oil companies, but those funds are nowhere to be found in the 2023 budget. By Andrew Gage This piece was originally published on March 2, 2023 in The Vancouver Sun. In 1988, scientists working for the oil […]
Gibsons votes to sue Big Oil
For Immediate Release – March 8, 2023 GIBSONS, BC – Last night, Gibsons Council voted unanimously to work with other local governments in BC to file a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies to recover a fair share of the climate costs they are incurring. This means setting aside at least $1 per […]
BC Local Government Candidates Pledge to Sue Big Oil
The candidates who want to represent you on Council and Regional District Boards are vying for election, and one critical issue is how will they protect you from climate change – both from its impacts and from the costs that our communities will need to pay due to the world’s ongoing addiction to fossil fuels. […]
This election raise your voice (and vote) for climate
On October 15th we need to elect climate leaders in BC’s local government elections – leaders willing to grapple with the challenges of how to keep our communities safe from climate change. We’re relying on you to raise these important questions with the candidates in the election. It’s crucial that those elected know that their […]
Say it loud and proud on social media: British Columbians support a lawsuit against Big Oil
Vancouver’s ‘Sue Big Oil’ decision last month generated some loud controversy. The motion was passed in a 6-5 decision, with councillors agreeing to allocate $1 per resident towards a future class action lawsuit by local governments against major fossil fuel companies for the costs of climate change. The historic decision was covered in local and international news […]
HISTORIC WIN: Vancouver votes to fund climate lawsuit against Big Oil
[UPDATE – August 20, 2023 – Please note that this is an older press release that is out of date. Subsequent to the Vancouver Council’s vote in July 2022, a municipal election was held in October 2022. The newly elected Council, in February 2023, voted against continuing with that commitment. For more information see our […]
