Ecojustice canada

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Ecojustice Canada (formerly Sierra Legal Defence Fund), is a Canadian non-profit environmental law firm that uses litigation to defend and protect the environment.

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[edit] Mission

Ecojustice believes that all Canadians have a fundamental right to enjoy air, land and water that is clean, healthy and safe. Ecojustice represents environmental groups and concerned citizens who feel that these rights have been infringed upon by government decisions at any level, industry or corporation.

Ecojustice aims to set legal precendents that will ensure a strong and thriving environment for humans and wildlife alike, both for present generations and generations to come. The organization takes on cases at any level of court, from the lower courts all the way up to the Supreme Court of Canada.

While Ecojustice is fighting battles at municipal and grassroots levels, the organization also plays a role in the strategic development of new environmental laws, often in cooperation with other environmental or conservation groups. They work hard at seeing that the laws are always an accurate reflection of how the world has developed and changed, and they see to it that those laws are enshrined and respected within the Canadian legal system.

[edit] Partnerships

Ecojustice has acted as representation for environmental advocacy groups such as:

[edit] History

Ecojustice was founded in Vancouver, B.C. in December 1990 with two staff members. Today, its Vancouver office has developed and expanded, with additional offices in Toronto, Ottawa, and Calgary with an environmental consultant up in Yellowknife. Sierra Legal is made up of lawyers who defend environmental laws, and scientific researchers who provide evidence that some aspect of the environment is under threat. The organization also makes use of communications, fundraising and support staff. The current executive director of Ecojustice is Robert Mitchell, who works out of the Vancouver office.

[edit] Name Change

Ecojustice Canada is the new name of Sierra Legal Defence Fund. This change was effective as of September 2007.

[edit] Publications

Ecojustice produces several publications that inform and educate the public on legal victories, upcoming cases and battles in progress. Ecojustice also publishes reports and assessments of environmental issues that reveal emerging problems and act as a call to arms for the public to help take action.

The Victories Report [1], issued once per year, informs the public about cases that Ecojustice fought and won in the previous calendar year.

The Ecojustice Newsletter [2], issued every three months, is primarily for the organization’s donors to read about ongoing casework and general company news. The newsletter includes profiles of staff members and special events that Ecojustice is hosting or involved in.

In the spring of 2007, Ecojustice released The Municipal Powers Report [3]. This report was a primer for local residents of communities and municipalities all throughout the country wishing to green their living spaces on their own, rather than wait for federal government regulations to be passed and take effect. The report included case studies of municipalities that had successfully initiated new and innovative environmental programs. It also offered templates, planning tools and tips to encourage activism at the local level.

[edit] References