Air and Climate Victories

FIRST VICTORY IN ALBERTA ’S TAR SANDS
When greenhouse gases from a 200-square kilometre open-pit mine slipped past a joint federal-provincial Review Panel, Ecojustice lawyers went to court – and won. Although the victory over Imperial Oil’s Kearl Tar Sands project was short-lived, as the federal government then quietly expedited the project’s re-approval, the courtroom drama sparked a wave of awareness and media coverage about the impact of tar sands exploitation.

TIRE BURNING PROPOSAL GETS TRASHED
Residents of Bath, Ontario were breathing easier this winter after a landmark victory stopped a huge cement company from burning garbage and tires in a cement kiln in their community. The case against Lafarge Canada confirmed the public’s right to participate in environmental decision-making and compels the provincial government to ensure that it considers cumulative impacts of projects and the precautionary principle before issuing future approvals.

Will Amos
Growing up in a home with conservationist parents, Ecojustice lawyer Will Amos’ interest in environmental policy was ignited at an early age. When he is not working with the next generation of public interest lawyers in our new University of Ottawa–Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic, Will works diligently to provide Canadians with the right to a healthy environment. Thanks in part to his efforts before the Supreme Court of Canada, residents in a Quebec City suburb received compensation from a controversial St. Lawrence cement factory.