
Resource Library
Welcome to the East Coast Environmental Law Resource Library. Here, you can find a wide range of resources on environmental law issues throughout Atlantic Canada.
Explore our FAQs to learn more about our Resource Library and what it contains.
If you want accessible learning materials on general topics, try searching our Summary Series first to see if we have a guide or toolkit that meets your needs.
Have a question that isn’t answered by our existing guides and toolkits? Submit an Environmental Law Inquiry by using our Inquiry Intake Form.
Submission on the Proposed Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Wind Energy Areas Engagement
East Coast Environmental Law’s submission on the proposed Wind Energy Areas (“WEAs”) that the Government of Canada and Government of Nova Scotia have presented as prospective locales for offshore wind development.
IAA 101: A Guide to Public Participation in Impact Assessment Act Processes
IAA 101: A Guide to Public Participation in Impact Assessment Act Processes has been prepared by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Caucus of the Canadian Environmental Network. It is designed to help the public navigate assessment and determination processes carried out under Canada’s Impact Assessment Act (“the Act”).
Submission on the Draft Terms of Reference for the Regional Assessment of the St. Lawrence River Area
East Coast Environmental Law’s Submission to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada on the Draft Terms of Reference for the Regional Assessment of the St. Lawrence River Area.
Guide du droit de l’environnement au Nouveau-Brunswick: Deuxième édition
Le présent Guide du droit de l’environnement au Nouveau-Brunswick est basé sur une publication similaire publiée par le Conservation Council of New Brunswick en 2000, intitulée Handbook on Environmental Law for New Brunswick.
Cette version révisée et mise à jour a été préparée par le personnel de East Coast Environmental Law, et sa première édition a été publiée en juin 2023. Cette deuxième édition a été publiée en mars 2025. Un examen et des commentaires sur la première édition (2023) ont été fournis par de nombreux étudiants, académiques et professionnels du droit, à qui nous sommes reconnaissants.
Guide to Environmental Law in New Brunswick: Second Edition
This Guide to Environmental Law in New Brunswick is based on a similar publication: Handbook on Environmental Law for New Brunswick that was published by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick in 2000.
This revised and updated version was prepared by the staff lawyers of East Coast Environmental Law, and its first edition was published in June 2023. This second edition was published March 2025. Input and content review on the first edition (2023) were provided by a number of students, scholars, and legal professionals, to whom we are very grateful.
Submission regarding Consultation on Coastal Classification System Criteria in Nova Scotia
Submission regarding Consultation on Coastal Classification Criteria for Nova Scotia
Joint Letter to Minister LePage on Shoreline Habitats
Joint Letter to Minister LePage on Shoreline Habitats
Written Submission to the Public Bills Committee on Bill 6: An Act Respecting Agriculture, Energy and Natural Resources
Written Submission to the Public Bills Committee on Bill 6: An Act Respecting Agriculture, Energy and Natural Resources.
Written Submission on Bill No. 1, An Act Respecting Government Organization and Administration
Written Submission on Bill No. 1, An Act Respecting Government Organization and Administration
Environmental Assessment of the Gull Island Hydroelectric Facility
The proposed Gull Island facility underwent a joint federal-provincial environmental assessment more than a decade ago. Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador want to know if the law requires a fresh assessment now, since it has been so long since the original assessment was conducted.
How Projects Are Designated for Environmental Impact Assessment in Newfoundland and Labrador
This backgrounder provides an overview of project designation for federal impact assessments under the Impact Assessment Act and provincial environmental assessments in Newfoundland and Labrador under the Environmental Protection Act and Environmental Assessment Regulations, 2003.
The Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
In January 2025, the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador (“Regional Assessment”) concluded. This backgrounder offers an overview of the Regional Assessment, explaining its origins and purpose as well as the role it is expected to play in the future regulation of offshore wind developments in Newfoundland and Labrador.
A Guide to Municipal Wetland Stewardship in Nova Scotia
Municipalities have important powers and responsibilities to enact policies and by-laws on matters like land-use, zoning, and development that can play a major role in protecting and stewarding wetlands. This introductory Guide explores what policy and legal tools are available to municipalities in Nova Scotia that may be used to steward wetlands, and it provides examples of how these tools are being used now.
Submission on the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia: Draft Report
Submission on the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia: Draft Report
Submission on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 Proposed Plan of Priorities and Proposed Watch List Approach
Submission on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 Proposed Plan of Priorities and Proposed Watch List Approach
Submission on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 Right to a Healthy Environment Draft Implementation Framework
Submission on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 Right to a Healthy Environment Draft Implementation Framework.
Submission on the Draft Report of the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
Submission on the Draft Report for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
Environmental Rights Advocacy Toolkit for Nova Scotia
An environmental rights advocacy toolkit prepared by East Coast Environmental Law to support public engagement in a campaign to win a right to a healthy environment in Nova Scotia.
Model Bill of Environmental Rights and Responsibilities for Nova Scotia
A model bill of Environmental Rights and Responsibilities for Nova Scotia, drafted by East Coast Environmental Law to support a campaign to win a right to a healthy environment in Nova Scotia.
Protected on Paper Only: An Evaluation of New Brunswick’s Legal Obligations under the Species at Risk Act
An evaluation of the Government of New Brunswick’s performance under its Species at Risk Act.
Our Summary Series
Welcome to our signature Summary Series—your first step to becoming more informed about environmental laws in Atlantic Canada.
Featured Library Resources
Check out some of our latest research reports, guides, and law reform papers.