The BC government has launched an Environmental Assessment Revitalization process as part of its commitment to reshape the way BC makes decisions about natural resource projects, industrial activities and more.
YOU have an opportunity to help shape the future of environmental assessments in BC by providing your input.
BC’s current environmental assessment law is failing British Columbians and the lands and waters we rely on. Amnesty International has joined 23 other environmental, social justice and community groups in putting forward a shared vision of what future environmental assessments should look like.
The government’s Discussion Paper for the process contains positive commitments to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), including supporting Indigenous-led Environmental Assessments. However, there are several other elements that need to be strengthened in order to ensure a robust environmental assessment law in BC.
Amnesty Canada recommends that the environmental assessment process be further strengthened in the following ways:
* a clear commitment to uphold human rights obligations;
* incorporation of gender-based analysis as a mandatory component of all assessments;
* more meaningful public participation and participant funding;
* independent evidence and oversight of assessments;
* addressing cumulative effects within a region, through more project assessments and mandatory regional assessments; and
* the rejection of projects if they don’t meet important legal criteria, including a climate test and Indigenous consent.
Please take action by urging the BC government to strengthen the above elements in the environmental assessment process. You can submit your comments here.
The deadline for submissions is July 30th.
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