Nature Chilliwack is actively involved in local, provincial and national conservation issues. We write letters in response, attend public open houses, submit briefs to environmental assessment hearings, respond to legals in the local papers and generally keep abreast with current concerns. Loss of ALR lands, old growth forests and wetlands especially concern us. We collaborate with many local environmental groups.
Current Concerns
“Building Majors Projects in Canada” Discussion Paper Consultation
Nature Chilliwack submitted this letter to the Federal Government:
Consultation Closes July 22 2026. Go to "Elbows Up For Nature" if you would like to have your say:
Nature Chilliwack members believe that the Building Majors Projects in Canada policy will
damage the precious environment that supports Canadian society with resources, tourism, and
national identity. We understand and support Canada’s need to diversify our markets and grow
our economy, but removing existing environmental safety rails and commitments to reduce
carbon emissions is short-sighted and dangerous.
Inappropriate authority
Cabinet members must not hold the power to create ‘economic zones’ before adequate
environmental review. They must not have the authority to exempt projects in economic zones
from environmental assessments (EAs). Cabinet members may lack training in ecological
protection and may not understand how projects will impact the health of Canadians,
ecosystems and rare species. Allowing politicians to pre-approve projects is a short-sighted
policy that may damage the environment and human health.
Corporate lobbyists are behind this policy, not the public. Giving cabinet ministers the power to
create economic zones will lead to corruption that will diminish Canada’s international reputation
and eventually spark well-deserved criminal investigations.
Greenwashing
The Building Canada Act (Bill C-5) exempts pipelines and other major energy projects from
environmental assessments. Other large, complex projects can be approved and begun with
only a simplified, time-limited EA to follow afterwards, if any at all. A weakened EA, following
approval and work, is what Canadians call ‘window dressing’; it greenwashes industrial activities
for political purposes. Building Canada Strong and Building Major Projects in Canada also
authorize the Minister of One Canadian Economy and the Minister of Environment, Climate
Change and Nature to weaken projects’ environmental requirements.
This contravenes the Species At Risk Act and the Fisheries Act and disregards the protection of
endangered species and critical ecosystems. Weakening our environmental rules and
regulations is a major, devastating step backwards for all Canadians and our future.
The EA process was established to balance economic growth with the environment for the
services it provides. It should not be weakened by the Building Canada Strong Act. This Act
and this policy direction pit our economy against our environment. It may provide quick
construction jobs now, but steals from our future prosperity, our citizens’ health and the long-
term jobs that depend on a healthy ecosystem. Industrial pollution impacting air and water,
habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, rare species loss, and long-term job loss is not a price
Canadians are willing to pay. Our health and our future must not be jeopardized in exchange for
quick jobs.
Nature Chilliwack members want the federal government to:
1. Respect Canadian values of environmental preservation
2. Retain the strong protections in our Environmental Assessment Act, SARA, Migratory
Bird Act and the Fisheries Act, without exception.
3. Ensure that all major and other projects follow proper protocol, with an EA completed
prior to project approval and start, without exception.
4. Repeal the power of cabinet to direct the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and
Nature and the Minister of One Canadian Economy to weaken EA requirements for any
project.
5. Repeal the power of cabinet to enable ‘economic zones’ and pre-approve projects with
no or weakened EAs
6. Obey proper regulatory channels that reflect the long-term interests of all Canadians, not
merely short-term corporate revenue goals.
Nature Chilliwack Club
Dog Waste in Parks BC Nature Survey
BC Nature is currently exploring the issue of dog waste and dog waste bags being left along trails, parks, and natural areas. While many dog owners bag their pet’s waste, it is increasingly reported that bagged waste is being left along trails rather than placed in garbage bins, creating both visual litter and plastic pollution in natural spaces.
Research suggests that littered dog waste bags can contribute to plastic and microplastics pollution and may also pose ecological and health risks due to the fecal matter they contain.
Tree Removal on Little Mountain for New Development on Shannon Heights
See this article in the Chilliwack Progress
Bridal Veil Mountain Resort – BC’s Next Great All-Season Mountain Resort
The proposed resort will be situated in the Chipmunk Creek Watershed, south of the Fraser River,
within the Fraser Valley Regional District, about 100 km east of Vancouver.
The natural attributes of the mountains south of Chilliwack in general and of the Chipmunk Creek watershed in particular, combined with the proximity to a large, growing, and under subscribed recreational marketplace in the Fraser Valley, make this a very exciting resort development opportunity.
The BVMR EOI outlines the preliminary elements and considerations for the project, following the BC All Season Resort Policy and Guidelines. The vision and concepts are preliminary and will be refined through collaboration with local First Nations Communities, as well as input from local government and stakeholders.
____________________________________________________________
Check Out Nature Trust British Columbia’s (NTBC) Conservation Work
______________________________________________________________
The Camp Slough Wildlife Area is a NTBC property stewarded by Nature Chilliwack
Federal Environmental Assessment Reform
Conservation Reports by Annabelle Rempel
Annabelle Rempel retired in 2018 after 30 years as the Conservation Chair of the Chilliwack Field Naturalists Club. Sadly she passed away in May 2021
She wrote about current conservation issues bimonthly. Our Club truly appreciated her expertise and dedication.
Annabelle hand-wrote her reports.
Since her passing, Nature Chilliwack members discuss Conservation Concerns at monthly meeting following up with letters to proponents and input into any feedback surveys locally, provincially and federally.
Join us on Facebook! 