Climate Action Team on target, but will BC government miss the mark?

Thursday, August 7, 2008 Vancouver, BC – BC environmental groups are applauding the latest recommendations from the province's Climate Action Team, a blue ribbon panel created by Premier Campbell to provide, "the most credible, aggressive and economically viable targets," for the province's fight against Climate Change. The groups are urging the government to adopt the team's recommendations, which would create some of North America's most progressive climate standards for the building and airline sectors, including a carbon pricing system for major emitters... more

Wilderness Committee's 5th Annual Family Fun Campout Cancelled

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 Vancouver, BC – We regret to inform you that the Wilderness Committee's 5th Annual BC Day camp-out has been CANCELLED due to the rock slide on the Sea to Sky Highway. We've evaluated all other options and concluded that given the state of the road, the fact that the heavy traffic on the long weekend will likely be exacerbated, etc. the best plan is to postpone the trip. We are looking into holding it over the Labour Day weekend instead, and will keep you posted once the decision's been finalized. Please accept our apologies—we're disappointed too!
You can read a news report from CBC here.

Joint Statement Update re Clayoquot Sound

Monday, July 28, 2008 Vancouver, BC – Environmental organizations working towards the protection of Clayoquot Sound have been invited to talk with the chiefs about the future of the area, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of Canadas most famous forests, and are hopeful about the outcome of this dialogue. Because the groups want to ensure that a resolution addressing both First Nations economic development and forest conservation is given every opportunity to emerge, a joint decision has been made to reserve further comment at this time... more | Download the statement here.

Wilderness Committee to Minister Penner: No Certification for Gateway Perimeter Road—the ‘Tailpipe of the Lower Mainland’

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Vancouver, BC – After two and a half years, British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office has finally passed the certification papers for the Gateway Program’s most controversial project, the proposed South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR), on to Environment Minister Barry Penner’s office for approval. Under the rules of the Environmental Assessment process, Minister Penner can either reject the project outright, approve it, or send it back for more adjustments and mitigation measures... more | Check out our Stop Gateway campaign for more!

BC Gov's "Conservation Framework" is no substitute for species at risk legislation

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 Vancouver, BC – The provincial government's "underwhelming" response today to a groundbreaking report on the precarious state of wildlife and wilderness in BC recycles failed policies and underscores the urgent need for a species at risk law for the province, says a coalition of leading environmental organizations. "British Columbia is in desperate need of an endangered species law to recover our species at risk, and to prevent species from becoming at risk in the first place," said Devon Page of EcoJustice... more | Check out our Species at risk campaign for more!

Government failing loggers, Manitobans with logging license area renewals

Friday, July 4, 2008 Winnipeg, MB - With less than six months until they expire, the government is reporting no progress on renewal of the multiyear logging license awarded to Tembec for their Pine Falls plant and the license to Louisiana-Pacific for their Swan River plant. At this late stage, it is unlikely that Manitoba Conservation will have time to do proper environmental assessments or public consultation by the December 31, 2008 expiration date of these licenses... more | Check out our Manitoba Office for more!

Environmental "reality check" aims to clear the air on B.C. carbon tax

Thursday, June 26, 2008 Vancouver, BC – B.C.'s carbon tax, which takes effect July 1, has many British Columbians talking, but the debate has also stirred up a lot of confusion. To help clear the air, a coalition of environmental groups today released a "Reality Check" fact sheet on the top five misconceptions about the tax... more | Download the factsheet here

Stephane Dion speaks up for Endangered Species in Canada

Tuesday, June 17, 2008Winnipeg, MB - At a Canadian Club luncheon in Winnipeg today, Liberal Opposition Leader Stephane Dion was asked about the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). SARA has been roundly criticized for not being effective in protecting wildlife in Canada. Eric Reder, Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee questioned what a federal Liberal government would do to improve the performance of SARA... more | more news at our Manitoba Office's website

Forestry workers and environmentalists call for a renewed Forest Land Reserve to halt the loss of BC's forest lands to suburban sprawl

Tuesday, June 3, 2008 Victoria, BC – Western Canadas largest forestry union and its largest environmental group are calling on the BC Liberal government to reinstate a Forest Land Reserve (FLR) to protect BCs forests from suburban sprawl. The United Steelworkers Union (USW) and the Wilderness Committee are calling for the Campbell government to re-establish the protective zoning designation on the forest lands of BCs largest forest landowners... more | more news at our Victoria Office's website

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